Insects and trees in September

As the summer approaches more insects wake up from their winter hibernation, although there are always some insects around.



The difference now is their size...



The edge of the door frame below the spider, gives a good idea of its size:




The wasp is on a floor tile, about 30cm square:




Burrowing bees, buzz very loudly as they dig into any unprotected wood. I took this photo just as it flew off the guttering:


September is also the month when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom:



Their vivid lilac blossoms create a shock of colour against the brown earth. There are many of these trees on the farm site, and also in town. When the blossom falls the ground it looks like confetti scattered along the paths:

CVC in Zambia

After six weeks in the UK, I am now back in Zambia.

Monica, a friend from Cape Town, came to Lusaka recently to visit her family, so we showed them round the new CVC studios in town.

In the background, under the car port is some of the old studio equipment, which had been brought from the farm site, and set up in one of the studios, to help the presenters with the transition between the new automated playout system, which is all computerised, and their old system of inserting CD's and tapes.

The day I visited with Monica this old, but still useful equipment was being donated to another Christian ministry in Lusaka, as all the CVC presenters have been trained and are now becoming more familiar with their new studios.

Also under the car port is a waterfeature. The water runs from the top of the ball, into the bowls and is pumped back to the top again. The sound and movement of the running water is a refreshing backdrop to the busy, dusty main road in the heart of Lusaka:

Here are a few photos and a brief summary from the day of the launch - Thursday 17th July 2008...

A large marquee was erected on the carpark, for all the invited guests:

The programme included a choir from the Copperbelt, and several others musical items:

Bob Edmiston (Chairman of Christian Vision) was among the speakers:

The building was offically opened by the Honorable Mike Mulongoti, Minister of Information and Broadcasting:

Green and white balloons were released into the sky, by the staff:

Afterwards a buffet lunch was held outside, but I don't think the grasshopper was supposed to be on the menu:

There was a cake reading "Congratulations RCV" (RCV stands for Radio Christian Voice, the name of the station):

The students from Grace Academy, Solihull, were also present at the launch. Here they all are with Bob and Tracie Edmiston:

The Grace Academy students took part in a live radio programme with presenter Jimmy. This is Jimmy with Beccy and Mark, part of the staff who accompanied the students:

Behind the reception is a curved wall with a mural of one of CVC's illustrations representing the "Touch a Billion" arm of Christian Vision:

The caption reads " Radio Christian Voice, Touching lives one by one."

Outside again, CV had to pay for the relocation of a new bus stop, as the previous one had to be demolished to make way for the entrance to the site. Only in Zambia will you see a bus stop like this one...

... Since I took this photo, the white seat backs have been painted with a large green CVC - there's nothing like a bit of (free?) advertising!