Reptile Park

Kalimba Reptile Park, Lusaka, has some interesting residents:




These are Nile crocodiles and there were plenty of them. This was just one of the enclosures:





Another section had the breeding Nile crocodiles in a huge lake - the females were gigantic:

There were also Zambian long-snouted crocodiles - they were much smaller:




This enormous python had recently been fed - look along its body...

There were smaller, non-dangerous reptiles too; tortoises...

...and terrapins; this one was sunning itself:

There were several African snakes behind glass, which unfortunately didn't photograph well. But this is the black mamba:

The 'black' refers to the colour of the inside of the mouth. It is actually olive coloured, with a paler coloured underside. The head is coffin-shaped!

Hard Hats necessary

Our older son, Adam, arrived in Zambia recently. Andy took him to see the progress of the studios in Lusaka; the site is still a building site, so hard hats are necessary:

Adam had a bit of fun watching Andy explaining some alterations, but we decided to have further fun!!

"Is that hat too small?"

"I'll get you a bigger one"

"I think there's a spare one over there"

"That's much better! Now, where did you learn semaphore?"

If you can think of different picture captions - do let me know!!

Here is another interesting photo that Adam took: What's happened to the transmitter tower?

It's just a reflection in the car window!

Wildlife in Zambia

Often in the afternoon monkeys come into the garden, passing through to higher ground. Most of them are scared by any humans, but this one came close enough to photograph, as he sat in a nearby tree...

...and then ran off:

On our way into town, we pass by a small game park, which we have yet to investigate. The other day I saw this magnificent male impala, close to the boundary fence:

Then, two female ostriches:

It's rainy season in Zambia and the dirt road to the farm looks like this, after a downpour:

It takes an hour just to travel 25km, and even in a 4x4 you're sliding all over the road - it's like mud-skating!

Zambian Cuisine

Here is my first attempt at using the bread maker:

Unfortunately there was a power cut towards the end of the cooking time, cancelling the programme. This caused the uncooked loaf to collapse, so I finished it off in the oven!

Novel, I know, but remarkably effective - it tasted delicious!

So did this village chicken, which someone very kindly brought us to try:

It just goes to prove that looks can be deceiving - you can't judge a chicken by it skin, or a loaf by its crust!

Storms in Lusaka

On this last day of February - Leap Day, I decided to change my header photo, to reflect our current location in Zambia.

The weather has been very mixed since arriving two weeks ago and besides some blazing sunsets we've also had some monstrous storms.


This was the sky as I hurried away from the shopping centre on Wednesday:

Thankfully I was heading into blue skies:

At lunchtime today the thunder and lightning started again, sending a deluge of rain, which continued for about 30 minutes:

Although the sun hasn't returned, there is now no sign of the pool of water on the grass, but it is littered with twigs and there's a loose cable running off the roof and across the lawn.

Hmm, I wonder what that was for?

Settling into Zambia

We arrived in Zambia 10 days ago, and Andy has just left again!! He's gone to the UK for a few days for some urgent meetings, so I'm continuing the settling in process.

This is our new home. It's a spacious bungalow, on a hill top, overlooking the farm:

From the hilltop, each evening we have a great view of the sunset:

At sunset yesterday, another storm was on its way across the farm:

The lake formed after a storm - I wonder if there are any fish in it?!

We visited Marianne and Gavin who manage the farm. They've adopted two orphan lambs, now about one month old:

The new studios in Lusaka are progressing, after some materials' shortages, halting their building for a couple of months. The green roof looks very impressive as you approach.

This photo was taken from the back:

This is looking through what will be the main entrance:

Behind the studios, flats are being built to house some of the staff:

I took this photo because I was fascinated by the scaffolding:

This last one is of the foundations of a house, being built next door:

There are some rather unusual shaped rooms here - don't you think?

Baby Burke

A few weeks ago I wondered if I would get the opportunity to see Donna and Daniel's newborn baby, before we left for Zambia.

This was taken at their baby shower on January 12th:



Cicely Grace Burke was born on Monday 4th February:

Donna brought her into the office this week, so I was thrilled to actually meet her.

Donna and Brigitte (a very proud grandmother!):

Thanks Cicely, you are beautiful baby!