Menzies' Mumblings

Moved

2007-03-06T01:40:00.000-08:00

I say,

This blog has moved to my new place.

MM III

Pitch inspections

2007-02-20T11:19:00.000-08:00

I say!

Some more pitch inspection snaps below.

The first one shows the wonderful new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, which will be ready for the World Cup in a couple of weeks time. What a wonderful venue! Of course, I am not able to show the more detailed snaps of the actual pitch, or report hereabouts upon it. That might give an unfair advantage to some of the protagonists.

Below are three views of the Stanford Cricket Ground, situated near to the airport, to the north of Antigua.

And finally, one of the Sticky Wicket, where they serve a delicious luncheon, ad know exactly how to pour a proper G&T.

MM III

Where's Mrs M?

2007-02-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

I say!

Here's another "Where's Mrs M?" quiz, which is a bit like Where's Wally, or Where's Waldorf, except that you have to find Mrs M.

Answers in a Comment, please.

The snap above was taken at Shirley Heights, which is the name of a hill to the east of English Harbour, on the south coast of Antigua. Each Sunday evening, partygoers gather on the heights to enjoy a sundowner or five, and are entertained by a superb Caribbean steel band. The band is really superb - they can play calypso, rock, or classical music. Not to be missed, if you are in the area.

The hill is named after General Sir Thomas Shirley, who built the nearby fort in the late eighteenth century to protect the Leeward Islands from attack.

The heights have a smashing outlook, as can be seen below.

And here's a snap of the band.

MM III

This one's for Hotboy

2007-02-14T11:58:00.001-08:00

I say!

I saw this, and thought of Hotboy, who works in a library.

MM III

RastaPasta

2007-02-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well I say!

Had a spot of bother with the Packard Bell recently, hence the lack of posting. Had to send for Ambat from Lilongwe, who spent hours trying to fix it, and eventually he did just that, though he had to reformat the darn thing and I lost some data. Fortunately not my snaps of Antigua, some of which are shown below.

I like the first one, because on the left is a local restaurant in St John's called 'RastaPasta' - great name! And centre it looks as though a cruise ship is parked in the street.

The following snap shows Henry Morton and Menzies IV standing on the steps of a slightly ruined windmill at Hawskbill. Windmills were once very important for the sugar industry in Antigua. Nowadays, none are still in use.

Below is a snap of some of the delighful bungalows at Hawksbill.

The final snap shows Mrs M, Henry Morton and Menzies IV at the airport, waiting for some arrivals from the UK. I did not see it at the time, but to the left, and out of shot, is a large sign saying 'no photographs'. Oops!

MM III

Pitch Inspections

2007-01-24T10:41:00.000-08:00

I say,

Many thanks to RobMcJ, Lee Ann, Keda and HotBoy for your wonderful comments on my last post. Comments, from anyone of course, are always welcome hereabouts.

What a fortunate person I am, to have spent some time in the wonderful country of Antigua, to have been a guest at the wedding in Hawksbill (see previous posts), to have spent time on the lovely Antiguan beaches, and most importantly, to have been able to do some pitch inspections whilst on the island.

In this and the following posts, I will enlarge on that final point.

Below is myself, Mrs M, and Henry Morton at 'The Rec' - The Recreation Ground in St John's. I am discussing with the head groundsman the condition of the wicket. "It looks like a batter's paradise." I suggested to him. "Ya man." was the response. "Not like the bunsen burner over in Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad." I continued. "Ya man." Frederick replied.

Below, I size up the wicket from the batsman's perspective, whilst Frederick explains how he once took a catch in the slips off Andy Roberts, a while back. The sightscreens were not overly large. And to think that our chaps used to have to face Courtley Ambrose on this pitch.

Below is the view from outside the executive suite, where we spent some time viewing the memorabilia.

And finally a view from the terraces.

What a wonderful time we had at The Rec, and many thanks go to Frederick.

MM III

London and Antigua

2007-01-18T11:25:00.000-08:00

I say!

A lot of people have asked me (well, Doviko, our cook, asked me, and so did Cabbage, the gardener, and also Harry, in the 'Hostile' Bar) what I noticed in London, whilst stopping over there on the way to Antigua.

I noticed the following:

Most Londoners carry a small water bottle with them, wherever they go, despite the fact that the temperature is not high and London is not in a desert.

Most Londoners listen to iPods whilst in transit from one place to another - on the Tube, on buses, and whilst walking in the street.

There is much more prevalence of obesity in London than I remember from my last trip.

Many Londoners seem to have learnt to speak Polish, and practice this constantly.

Here are some snaps which show how wonderfully attractive a place Antigua is.

Above - the view from our villa.

Darkwood Beach

I seem to remember that this is the Urlings village.

More villas at Jolly Harbour.

MM III

Good news, and more from the wedding

2007-01-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

I say!

I've just heard that my proposal for some new hush hush research has been funded by 'The Office'. This is excellent, as it will enable me to travel and undertake more pitch inspections on the side, which is, of course, my main passion.

Talking of pitch inspections, I made three in Antigua, about which I will post shortly. Obviously, apart from the wedding, these were the highlights of the trip for me. However, in the meantime, here are some more snaps from the big day.

Above: the guests begin to take their seats.

The bridal party.

Notice the very appropriate name of the boat in the background - "Adventure Antigua"

The best man's speech meets with a good reception.

MM III

Here comes the bride

2007-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well I say!

I hope that all readers of this blog had an especially good New Year, and thank you all for returning to view my mumblings and snaps.

Our trip to Antigua was wonderful. A great time was had by all, of which more, all in good time. But I know when to 'cut to the thrust' as it were. I also know that all the ladies who visit this blog will be particularly interested in the wedding that we Milngavies attended, which after all was the main purpose of the trip.

So, without further ado, here are some snaps from the big day at Hawksbill.

The guests begin to muster. From l. to r. - Menzies III, Henry Morton Milngavie (bass player with the rock band 'Detonator'), Mr R. (a 'Lloyd's Name') , the delightful Miss G (Mr R's daughter, and a recent graduate of Oxford), rather in the background, unfortunately, Morag (the groom's grandmother), Gillian (the groom's auntie), Rosemary (the groom's mother), and Mrs M, in her lovely teal outfit and fascinator.

The groom, Jonathan, waits expectantly. Have you ever seen such a handsome and upright groom? And look at his highland outfit!

The steel band (only one visible), plays the wedding march, as the bride arrives, only five minutes late!

The happy couple, Jonathan and Suzanne Jacobs. Have you ever seen such a lovely bride! I certainly haven't, or rather, only once, when I turned round in the church to see Mrs M approaching on the occasion of our own wedding.

MM III

Scapa Flow

2006-12-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

I say!

Well, we are just about ready for the oft. A brief sojourn in London, mainly to attend the annual Pitch Inspection Supervisors, Selectors and Umpires Pageant in the UnderGlobe, and then on to Antigua.

I would just like to invite any of you who happen to be in the vicinity of the Hawksbill Hotel, Antigua, on the afternoon of the 28th December, to look out for the wedding which we Milngavie's will be attending. If you later find me face down on the beach (its a beach wedding), please lead me back to the bar.

But before we depart, a further post about the Orkney Islands, where cricket was first played by Neanderthal man, and where I spent some weeks earlier this year.

On the island of Hoy, on the other side from the Old Man of Hoy (which I posted about previously), is a Visitor Centre & Museum which I highly recommend. What wonderful exhibits it has.

Much of the Museum is given over to explaining the events of 21st June, 1919, when 74 German battleships, cruisers and destroyers were scuttled. Some of those involved in the event are featured below, and no doubt here are a few relatives of RobMcJ. The German sailors had, the day before, been beaten in a limited overs match by their British guards, due largely to some appalling umpiring decisions, so I am reliably informed, and took out their anger on their own ships. There is surely no other explanation for this wanton act.

MM III

Ascent of Old Man of Hoy

2006-11-26T03:52:00.000-08:00

Here is someone else's video of an ascent of the Old Man.

MM III

Old Man of Hoy

2006-11-26T03:46:00.000-08:00

I say!

The lads are doing a great job of lulling the Aussies into a false sense of security over at the Gabba. They fall for it every time. I must say, however, that the two dreadful umpiring decisions that put paid to KP and Freddie Flintoff were probably not in the plan.

I'm afraid that I have a woefully busy itinerary over the next few weeks, and may not be able to blog very regularly. We're preparing for the forthcoming trip to Antigua, and I'm taking the opportunity to drop past London to do some pitch inspection work.

In the meantime, here are a couple more snaps from the Orkney Islands, taken in August of this year.

Here is one of the Cathedral in Kirkwall, where one will find the tomb of John Rae, the Arctic explorer.

And here is one of the Old Man of Hoy, which was climbed recently by an ex-England wicket-keeper. Very impressive.

Just a couple of miles from the 'Old Man' is the village of Rackwick, where the next snap was taken, looking south west alon the shore to impressive crags.

Finally, up the road from Rackwick, and after considerable detective work, I discovered the following conclusive evidence that this is where the Australians have been taking the turf from which to prepare the wicket for the Gabba. No wonder cracks have appeared after only two days.

MM III

Did the vikings play with a straight bat?

2006-11-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

I say!

I've heard some people suggest that the vikings won the cricket world cup in 1007 AD. This is, of course, nonsense. There was no cricket world cup in 1007. Whether the vikings played cricket at all is another question, and for my own part, I have so far found no evidence.

I asked this viking, whom I met in a bar in Stromness, in the Orkney Islands, earlier this year, whether he was familiar with the game:

His answer was in the negative. In any case, his bat would be deemed illegal by any discerning umpire.

Vikings are still quite common in the Orkney Islands. In another bar, I asked some more the same question.

They too had not heard of the game.

Late on, after a lovely meal in the Scapa Flow Restaurant and prodigious amounts of wine, when some giants appeared in the bar (they too seem to be quite common thereabouts), it all got too much for me, and I could not press the correct buttons on my camera.

MM III

From the air

2006-11-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

I say!

Towards the end of this video (which I found on YouTube) is a view from the air of the cricket pitch at the Ring of Brodgar.

MM III

DC

2006-11-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

I say!

Menzies IV just emailed me this snap of his band, playing recently at Nottingham, UK.

What a wonderful drummer he's turned out to be.

MM III

Penguins

2006-11-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

My goodness!

Never happened before, not once, but I just spilt an MGT (Malawi gin & tonic)! Caught most of it, fortunately.

I was reading about Apsley Cherry-Garrard, in the 2002 biography by the delectable Sara Wheeler, and his experiences in the Antarctic.

"After the last box of lavatory paper had been counted out, twenty-nine sheets were issued to each man."

As I undestand it, this had to last them two weeks or more, depending on the blizzards. I find it is always uplifting to read about blizzards, when one is suffering from a heat-wave, as we are, in Kalimbuka. Fortunately, for the health, if not the gardens, little humidity.

With respect to early Antarctic exploration, and specifically the emperor penguin, I wonder if Hotboy, Rob McJ or anyone else, has an opinion on 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny'? What with their extensive experience of penguins in the UnHeard of Islands, one will expect some terse observations.

MM III

Location revealed

2006-11-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

I say!

Thank you very much to everyone who took a stab at guessing the location of last week's quiz question (see below). No one was correct, but the closest was Hotboy, who suggested Stirling, so three cheers for His Holiness, even though Stirling is far inland, and therefore a ludicrous guess. In fact, it was from Stromness, in the Orkney Islands, that Cook, Frankin, and others ventured forth in their quest for new sources of wood from which to sculpt cricket bats.

In the time since they were keen cricketers, the inhabitants of Stromness have gone downhill rather, as can be seen from the snap below, taken outside the Stromness Hotel, on my visit there earlier this year. With his height, the gentleman in the white might have made an excellent fast bowler. His bowling arm would certainly appear from above the sightscreen. Unfortunately, when I spoke to him, he had no interest in the game, and no-one else in the vicinity seemed to, either. As can also be seen, there are suggestions of cross-breeding in those parts.

In a future post, I shall show, irrefutably, how Neolithic Orcadians exported the game of cricket to the Ancient Egyptians, in about 4,000 BC. How the game thrived in Egypt for many centuries, until climate change led to a deterioration of pitches to such an extent that it became impossible to play on even prepared surfaces and 'drop-in' wickets. And how, in the late eighteenth century, Napoleon sailed there in an attempt to discover the origins of the Englishmen's prowess on the cricket playing fields and their consequential strength on the battlefields of Europe.

MM III

Christmas in the Caribbean

2006-10-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

I say!

How wonderful to receive visitors to this blog. I shall certainly be returning the compliment.

And what an unexpected surprise! Mrs M and myself have been invited by some people in the entertainment industry, who must remain anonymous for obvious reasons, to spend Christmas in the Caribbean.

By then, my camera will have been returned from the repairers, and I shall hope to post some snaps of the celebrations. I shall be able to mix work with pleasure - a pitch inspection of the new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, close by St John’s in Antigua, for starters. Menzies IV and Henry Morton will also travel there. Does Sir Cliff have a residence there? No, I think that's another island. Our residence will be at Jolly Harbour, on the west coast.

How wonderful. But, if there are any criminals reading this, let me assure them that 'Armed Response' have already been employed to secure the premises at Kalimbuka.

Now - here's a challenge for anyone who might read this. Below is a snap taken on my travels. From this location, many a seafarer embarked on adventures, as can be seen from the engraving. Can anyone locate this monument? You may have to click on the snap for a larger view.

MM III

"Like a virgin"

2006-10-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

I say!

I've been rather busy recently attending to functions associated with the visit hereabouts of Guy Ritchie and his adorable wife. What a social round its been! Mrs M has been extremely busy as well, and has much enjoyed the various events.

Interest in the visit has obviously perculated to the staff. I even overheard Cabbage the other day, whilst slashing the outfield which had become quite overgrown, singing "Like a virgin" to himself, in time to his cutting motions. I must say, Cabbage appears to be completely tone-deaf, and he did no justice to the original version.

What a nice chap Guy is! We enjoyed some time, some Greens and some MGTs together at the Government Hostel (will I ever get used to calling it the Hotel Masongola?) one evening, and I must say, he is a font of knowledge about the motion picture industry, Holywood, and such like.

Now, here's a thing. What with his inside knowledge, he reliably informed me that he'd seen an early draft of the screenplay for the 1968 motion picture "2001: A Space Odyssey" which happens to be one of my favourites. According to Guy, the original intention was to produce a film of a somewhat different genre to that which was eventually released.

You will remember one of the early scenes in the film - where the cave-man has discovered the first tool, a bone, and he throws it in the air with glee. As the bone turns over and over in the air, it gradually moves to slow motion and then transforms into a spaceship.

Well, Guy told me that in the early draft, the bone transforms into...a cricket bat! And that the film was originally going to be entitled "2001: The Ashes Tour" and be a futuristic look at a Test Series which was, at the time, 33 years in the future.

Well, I ask you! We'd been discussing my theories about cricket originating in Neolithic times, and he'd 'had a few' by the time we discussed this particular matter. I think he was pulling my leg.

What do you think?

MM III

More proof

2006-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here is a snap of the cricketers changing rooms at Skara Brae.

And if more proof is needed, here is one of an ancient cricket bat, found lying on waste ground, not far from Skara Brae. Note that it is a different shape from those employed today. The game has certainly evolved.

Only the other day, I was attempting to teach Cabbage how to bowl a doosra. Unfortunately something seemed to get lost in translation. The word 'doosra', as I understand it, is not unsimilar to a Yao curseword, and this appeared to cause him limitless hilarity. His attempts to bowl the ball with exaggerated hip thrusting motions completely negated any spin he might otherwise have put on the ball.

MM III

Skara Brae

2006-10-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

I say!

Not far from the Ring of Brodgar wicket is Skara Brae. The purpose of Skara Brae also becomes obvious on further close inspection.

It is quite clear that Skara Brae was where Neolithic man stored his cricket kit. In the snap above one can see four places perfectly sized for a 'coffin' - the popular name for a cricketer's kitbag, and beside it, to the left, a smaller storage place for cricket balls. There are four coffin storage areas - one for each of the top oredr batsmen. One can only imagine the talk of cricketing strategy that must have been common in this room.

Above is another view of Skara Brae.

Neolithic man played cricket many years before the 'Ashes' were conceived, of course, but below is a snap of the trophy which was almost certainly awarded to the winning team.

QED

MM III

Purpose of the stone rings revealed

2006-09-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

I say!

After a great deal of research and thought, I have solved the issue of what purpose many of the ancient standing stones found in the far, far north served. It is quite obvious once you have visited the sites in question.
For example, the Ring of Brodgar, a magnificent henge, shown in the following three snaps:

Once one has stood in the centre of the ring of stones, and glanced around, it becomes most obvious that this was the site where late Neolithic man played cricket. As it was in those far off times, so it now is, then and now the game was not always a large crowd puller, so the standing stones were erected not merely to mark the boundary, but also to give the appearance of full attendance.

A few yards from the ring are several mounds. I took the following snap from one of these.

These are obviously where the hospitality suites were located. They say that bones have been found beneath these mounds. The late Neolithic version of the game was obviously even more violent than the game as played today, and would have resulted in numerous fatalities. The unfortunate victims would have been interred on the spot, and their location marked by appropriate branding. "Sigurd the Slinger" or "Svein the Slogger" would have lived on, to be exploited by future sponsors.

As for the purpose of the nearly Stones of Stenness, shown in my previous post, this was where the umpires would meet, to pronounce on matters such as 'stone tampering' (I'm assuming the ancient game was played with stones, rather than balls).

As there are many examples of ancient standing stones throughout the world, one can clearly see how popular was the ancient game of cricket.

MM III

See previous post for text

2006-09-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

Touch of malaria

2006-09-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

I say!

Been rather under the weather recently, with a touch of malaria. Not too bad a bout, but enough to keep me out of action for a while. Silly, rather. I did not begin to take my prophylactics soon enough before returning to Kalimbuka, which is a warning to us all.

However, it was very pleasant to return home, to Mrs M and the staff, who insisted on lining up at the entrance to the compound, standing to attention, and saluting me. Quite over the top!

Absolutely no purpose in being tested for malaria - the hospital will always give a positive result, and I've had it enough times to know the symptoms, and the treatment.

Anyway, enough of my ills. Mrs M is a wonderful nurse.

Spending time inside has allowed me to read up on some matters, and here is a quiz question which has resulted from perusing a very enjoyable read:

Who used the pseudonym "Baron Renshaw" when staying at Shepheard's and the Taj?

Here is a lovely quote from my current read, which is a travel book, of course:

"A Grand Tourist in the 18th century would have arrived [in Rome] by coach, probably in the company of half a dozen other giggling fops, to be deposited in the Piazza del Popolo - the northernmost point in Rome at the time - where he would have found goats grazing at the base of the phallic Egyptian obelisk erected by Pope Sixtus V. Giddy with the Eternal City's erotic promise, he would have hired a cab and slipped between the bulging breasts of the twin-domed Santa Maria churches, penetrating the spread legs of the Via di Ripetta and the Via del Babuino by the tight labial opening of the Corso. Casting nervous glances down the side-alleys, he would have checked into an albergo and later - what a coincidence! run into one of his fellow travellers, freshly powdered and ready for revelry, on the streets of the world's first English tourist ghetto."

Here is another delightful passage:

"The shark-finned, canine-toothed, white-walled Matterhorn loomed at the ed of the street, a child's drawing of a scary mountain. Against a background of blue sky, a horizontal stream of cloud intersected the summit, as though the protruding peak was provoking a disturbance in the empyrean, and earth-claw raking the stratosphere. I thouh of the Paramount Picturs logo, muesli boxes, and Toblerone, trying to understand the mountain's impact with everyday trademarks. Rising white and alone from a pedestal of meadows and evergreens, it foiled all attempts at trivialization: the Matterhorn was a genuinely fear-inducing sight."

Wonderful, what?

I was hoping to post some snaps of the far, far north, but Bloger is being unco-operative.

MM III

Unsavoury image

2006-09-02T03:01:00.000-07:00

My goodness!

Last evening I found myself in a rather nice restaurant. I experienced a call of nature, and retired to the cloakroom. Whilst proceeding at the urinal, an image of RobMcJ's reconstruction came into my mind, and would not leave. Not very nice.

However, the evening was much cheered by the wine list. It was so pretentious, as I'm sure it was meant to be, that it was quite humorous. How is this for a description of the 'house red':

"Think of summer sun on the brow and naked frolicking haemadryads in dance. This wine's deliciously deep, chocolate and cherry ripe earthy wine could well induce something resembling a chromatic dream"

Unfortunately, the only chromatic dream I later experienced was, once again, of RobMcJ's reconstruction.

MM III

Uncanny likeness

2006-08-26T02:22:00.000-07:00

I say!

In a previous post, I wrote about the uncanny likeness that many people have drawn between myself, and Henry Finch Hatton, the thirteenth Earl of Winchilsea. Here is the proof.

The thirteenth Earl of Winchilsea.

MM III in the far, far north.

Surely, we are related?

MM III

Protocol

2006-08-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

I say!

One cannot fail to have noticed that with the news from The Oval, the cricket world is in crisis.

It has been caused by a breach of protocol.

On Sunday afternoon, the umpires went out. They were not followed by the Pakistan team, so after a short wait, the umpires went in.

After a few minutes, the umpires went out again, this time accompanied by the not-out England batsmen. Once again, they were not followed by the Pakistan team, so after a short wait, the umpires and the not-out batsmen went in.

After a few more minutes, the Pakistan team went out. However, this time, neither the umpires or the England not-out batsmen went out. So after a short time, the Pakistan team went in.

This left no-one out in the field, so play could not resume.

These things are all clearly not the correct protocol. The correct protocol is for the umpires to go out, followed by the fielding team (in this instance, Pakistan), followed in turn by the not-out batsmen.

It could hardly be clearer that that, and so it's not surprising that the game was abandoned after only three and a half days play. One has to keep to the correct protocol.

MM III

Brief quiz

2006-08-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here are three quick quiz questions, which you should try to answer without recourse to Google.

1. Who was the first president of the USA to be born in the 20th Century?

2. Who wrote "From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines"?

3. Relating to travel, what is the significance of the Lale Pastahanesi?

Answers in a Comment, please.

MM III

Too close to the sun

2006-08-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

I say!

Interminable delays in airport lounges have given me the opportunity to complete a most wonderful book, which I highly recommend to anyone who might visit this blog.

"Too close to the sun: the life and times of Denys Finch Hatton" by Sara Wheeler. What a delightful read!

I must firstly say that the author, Sara Wheeler, is rather attractively handsome. And can she write!

Here are a few short extracts:

"They took off in radiant good weather. Around Takunga the fields rippled with high spiky leaves that looked like the tops of giant pineapples. The sisal had just poled, and a tall stick-like growth shot up from the heart of each plant. From the air the neat rows ran across the land like green corduroy"

"They were living in different mental worlds, as unhappy lovers do, coexisting like the twin beaters of a rotary whisk, spinning in time but never touching."

"The hawthorns were crimsoned with haws and the weak sun circled with a ruff of lavender cloud as beaters drove the pheasants out of Evedon Wood."

I say! Rather good, what?

The book is essentially a biography of Denys Finch Hatton. Karen Blixen wrote about her love affair with him, and she and he were portrayed respectively by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford in the Oscar winning film 'Out of Africa'.

Despite the fact that he crashed his Gypsy Moth into the Voi hills, in south east Kenya, over seventy years ago, I know from experience that, even today, if one mentions in passing 'Denys' at the dinner table of any family with roots still residing in the Ngong Hills, one will immediately be met with recognition for a gentleman who, despite never occupying any official capacity and being merely an adventurer, holds a unique place in the history of BEA and the hearts of its inhabitants.

Of course, several of those who are mentioned in Wheeler's tome were still alive and known to my dear Paw Paw, many years later.

I'm delighted to report that Finch Hatton's camp continues today the tradition of opulence.

I wish I could post a copy of the photograph of Henry Finch Hatton, the 13th Earl of Winchilsea, as featured in "too close to the sun", as it has been remarked that I bear an uncanny likelness to him.

I note in passing that Wheeler has also authored a book which might be relevant to HotBoy and Rob McJ - Terra Incognita, Travels in Antarctica.

MM III

Pitch Report

2006-08-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here are some more snaps.

The following two snaps show that not too much damage was done by the Hello/OK Private Function. My unplanned residence for what was left of the night of the party was the summer house, at the top of the garden, shown in the second snap.

Of course, the main reason for my visit was not to attend the Hello/OK function, but rather to make a pitch inspection. Here is the evidence. It looks a bit green, but don't we all, in the wrong light. After it had been shaved, I passed it fit for play.

There was a slight incident when the visitors' opening batsman didn't manage to duck one of 'Lethal' Larry Longchamps' short-pitched balls:

However, I decided that this was nothing to do with the pitch. In such circumstances, one must simply show no pain.

MM III

Books

2006-08-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

I say!

I shall return to some final snaps of Oxfordshire soon, but in the meantime I wanted to post the following two things.

Extracted from my current read "...he made his way to Canada to enlist. At the recruiting station he was asked if he was a homosexual, the evidence being that he was wearing a wristwatch. He said he was not. There were no further questions."

My, my - how strange that a wristwatch might be seen in this way. This happened in the First World War.

Now, I hope HotBoy may be reading this, as it is extracted from a review of Irvine Welsh's latest novel:

"Irvine Welsh's sixth novel is so awful that, to paraphrase James Wood, it invents its own category of awfulness...The book is a toyshop of pure MDF cutouts...The characters, situations, storyline, prose - everything is so risible in its inability to convince on even the most rudimentary levels that it appears as if Welsh has telephoned it in on a very bad line...every single premise is such a stunning model of lack of conviction that the book should become a textbook on how not to write fiction...This is a demeaning book that cants the reader's sould downwards, making it feel complicit with the writer's dishonest short-changing of his readership, telling them that this lazy, dishonest, appallingly written rubbish is the real thing while laughing all the way to the bank as a result of our gullibility."

Well - I say! I won't be buying that one.

MM III

Oxfordshire

2006-07-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

I say!

What a lovely shire, and the epitome of Merry England. Here are some more snaps taken from near the location of the recent Hello/OK private function.

An excellent inn, and one which knows how to serve a perfect MGT.

An extremely old barn.

A nice pile. Worth a bob or two, I should think.

This is the centre of a typical small, market town, with origins in the Middle Ages.

MM III

Hello/OK Private function part 2

2006-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

I say!

Blogger seems to be in a bit of a tizz today. However, here goes for some more snaps from the recent Hello/OK Private function.

MM III

Hello/OK Private function

2006-07-11T05:23:00.000-07:00

I say!

Well I never! The hush hush tour continues, this time down to Oxon/Berks, where I attended a lovely private 'do' along with numerous rather beautiful people.

Working backwards, here are some of the remains (rather impressive for one night, don't you think?):

And a selection of the beautiful people who attended:

More next time, otherwise there are likely to be problems with Blogger.

Now I'm off to the far far north.

MM III

Louisiana

2006-07-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here are some more snaps from Louisiana. What a nice place it is.

I was taken to a 'ball game'. This is a most confusing game, with incomprehensible rules. As far as I could make out, the bowler is allowed to throw the ball with a bent arm. I was almost evicted for shouting "No ball!", until this rule was explained to me, and I explained that I was a visitor. When a batsman is caught out, that is the end of his team's innings, not merely his own. There are more than two innings. A friendly local explained more of the rules, and it did appear to be a wonderful game - I imagine more so, when one understands what is happening. Not really a patch on cricket for excitement, though.

I also attended a race meeting.

After betting on the bay, here I am, counting my winnings.

It is frighteningly easy to buy guns in Louisiana.

The pool at my residence.

MM III

The Deep South

2006-07-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

I say!

I finally managed to locate myself - about 7km from Schiphol. Thank goodness for that. A rather unpleasant experience for a while, and I put it down to the hash brownies I bought in town the other night when peckish, which didn't seem to mix well with contents of the mini bar (which has since been restocked). In fact, the mini bar is computer controlled. I did not realise this, and examined each item in turn before reading that removing them from the fridge meant that they had been, in effect, purchased. Well, I dare say they would have been consumed sooner or later.

'Doordepurt', I gather, is local slang for, words to the effect of, 'sacre bleu!'.

I bought each of the charming girls from Reception a large bouquet of flowers to make up for any faux pas which I may have made after the footers.

Now I need to catch up with snaps from my previous location, somewhere in the 'Deep South'. And I must say that the hospitality of everyone in Louisiana was absolutely wonderful.

Local law requires that a casino should be on a boat. But apparently there is no law to say that that boat must be in the water. Most peculiar.

The next snap shows a wonderful location for a repast.

I say! One never knows what will find hanging from ceilings in shops in America. In Chicago I saw an upside down cow, and here is an aeroplane.

The sport of kings.

MM III

Where am I?

2006-07-02T02:26:00.000-07:00

I say!

Reception appears to be giving me a wide berth after last night, and I am no nearer finding out my location.

Here is a snap of my room.

And a snap taken from outside the hotel.

If anyone recognises either of these, please let me know. Its almost certainly Holland.

MM III

Calling home

2006-07-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

I say!

There seems to be a little problem with phoning Kalimbuka at the moment. Yesterday the lines were down, I believe, and today, no answer. So, Doviko, I expect you are monitoring this, and I grant you permission to report back via a Comment on this blog.

Well, I must say, it was very sad news about F.S Trueman. His life innings, ended on 75 today. One of England's best fastest bowlers, and he would have been saddened to watch the bowling today in the one-day match.

I must also say, how wonderful the hospitality was in Chicago. What hospitable people, and so very friendly.

Some final snaps from that city, and as Lee Ann knew, the name 'windy' came from the vociferous nature of its inhabitants, and not as Hotboy guessed, due to excessive gas in their digestive tracts.

The front entrance area of the Hyatt Hotel. A very large establishment, requiring a detailed map to find one's way.

Downtown.

Downtown at night.

Must dash. Apparently there's a game of football this afternoon.

MM III

More from Chicago

2006-06-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here are some more snaps from Chicago.

The first one shows my residence during my brief stay there. A reasonable hotel, but quite expensive, as they all seem to be in the 'Windy city'. It was not named 'windy' after the wind, however. Does anyone know the real story?

The next one was taken during a 'booze cruize' on the lake. Can anyone from outside the USA name the great lakes, without recourse to a reference source?

The Sears Tower from ground level.

From atop the tower.

And from the same location, looking in the other direction.

MM III

Chicago

2006-06-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

I say!

Well done those of you who guessed Chicago as my previous location, and I sincerely apologise for spelling Potawatomi incorrectly. The clues were jotted down in haste from the excellent display about Chicago at the top of the Sears Building, which was once the tallest building in the world.

The cow in question belonged to Mrs O'Leary, who some say was responsible for the great fire in Chicago which resulted in the destruction of many buildings, some years back.

Cows feature in numerous places in Chicago, and I am not sure why. For example, in a road just down from my hotel I noticed this cow statue:

...and, my goodness, there was a model of a cow upside down in a nearby shop:

If its a ploy by the tourist authority to attract the Masaii market, I fear it may not be effective, though my Samburu friends will be most interested in the snaps.

Here's a snap taken from underneath "the El".

And another one of the wonderful Chicago skyline, taken from the Shedd Aquarium.

I have moved off now, and will post from my new location shortly.

MM III

Secret location 3

2006-06-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here are some more clues, as no-one has made the correct guess yet.

A cow was very important in the history of this city.

The airport is named after someone who's first name was 'Butch'.

The city is named after the Potowani name for "wild onion".

That should now be very obvious.

Well, I say! Here I am at Cap'n Jambo's house in the bayou, and it is just as warm as Kalimbuka, and its making me feel very much at home.

Here is a snap that Cap'n Jambo took last night, after quite a number of sundowners. Notice the Buddha to the right.

MM III

Secret Location 2

2006-06-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

I say!

No takers so far. Here are some more clues, with more to follow.

This city is set out in a grid system, there are lots of skyscrapers, and there is a marina.

That should narrrow it down a bit :-)

MM III

Secret Location

2006-06-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

I say!

I am currently at the secret location, somewhere in America - all will be revealed eventually, via a little quizz. In the meantime, I have found - to my delight - that the hospitality is not only sponsored, but virtually limitless.

Fortunately, the locals are particularly pleasant and friendly, and are very forgiving of my foibles.

The secret location is a large city, and there is a river running through it.

Can you guess where it is?

MM III

Hotboy reveals all about 'RaBliss'

2006-06-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

I say!

My brief interview with Hotboy is now available.

I'm afraid I have no idea how to turn the movie the correct way up, so I hope no-one gets a crick of the neck.

I shall shortly depart Edinburgh, but will post some more snaps whenever I can.

MM III

Hotboy's Hut

2006-06-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well I say!

How wonderful it was to meet up with Hotboy.

In order to attract his attention, and ignoring strange looks from passers-by, one must shout "Madyamika" at the top of one's voice from outside the allotment compound. Hotboy will eventually let you in to the compound, as he did with me, this very afternoon.

He has hardly changed! He is still as vivacious as ever. Our time was unfortunately short, due to my 'hush hush' world tour itinerary, but I was able to take the following snaps, and once Google has verified the video clip I hope to post a short interview.

His hut will surely feature on many pilgrimages of the future, as disciples visit the scene of 'RaBliss'.

Here he is, standing on his head.

Sometimes he meditates in the prone position.

A bird nests in the guest quarters.

In situ, meditating and raising 'RaBliss'.

MM III

Leith Festival

2006-06-10T03:34:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here is the short video clip of Danny Cockroach live.

Must dash. Must go to Hotboy's hut.

MM III

Danny Cockroach

2006-06-09T15:01:00.000-07:00

Well I say!

In my last post I mentioned my recent visit to the Leith Festival, and my favourable impression of Danny Cockroach as an up-and-coming talented young band.

The next thing I know, these friendly chaps invited me back to their 'pad' to watch them rehearse. And, here is a video clip of the band.

Please excuse their 'French'.

MM III

Edinburgh!

2006-06-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

Well I say!

Here I am in Edinburgh, and I must say, its wonderful to be back! I'm trying to get used to paying £5 for a packet of twenty cigarettes, and then not being able to smoke them in bars, but one cannot ask for everything. My goodness, Abdul's weekly wage envelope would only buy him 40 smokoes here.

Edinburgh is SO refreshing. One minute a bracing wind, the next glorious sunshine. It gets light here at 5am (and I arise at that time just to make sure), and does not darken until 'cowboy time' (ten to ten - or rather t'arentoten t'arentoten).

Now, before I show my latest snaps of wonderful Edinburgh, and in the realisation that one cannot avoid football at the present time, an item from the Daily Torygraph on Thursday reported that "Scots who want England to fail in the World Cup suffer from low self-esteem and a deep-rooted inferiority complex" acording to Glasgow medic Dr Alex Yellowlees. I wonder what dear old Hotboy would make of that. Is he supporting England?

I must ask him soon, when we meet up, once again. He has promised me an interview at his hut, and to be:

sober
stand on his head ('heid')
be in the lotus position
enlighten me about 'Rabliss'

I shall hopefully reveal all, later this week, in a video account.

Here is a snap taken looking towards Edinburgh Castle, from the Royal Mile. Unfortunately, it was raining at the time, but one can still see how attractive the setting is.

Edinburgh is changing, with a whole host of construction programmes. I wonder if ex-residents such as Mr RobMcJ would recognise where this snap was taken from. The Castle features in the background.

I shall have fun with the next two snaps. Everywhere one perambulates in central Edinburgh, one finds statues of cows. I've no idea why. I shall tell my Samburu friends the next time I'm in Kenya that the following show the real Edinburgh cattle culture.

I rather like the one above, which features Africa. They shall ask me if the cow blood tastes good.

Whilst in Edinburgh, I have been taking advantage of the wonderful array of cultural events, such as the Leith festival. The next snap was taken the other night at a musical event. It features a very talented local band called Danny Cockroach. I shall post a short video clip of this band in action, as soon as Google Video has 'verified' it. As you can se, their drummer is obviously a Martian.

I shall have more fun with the next one. Doviko will ask me what it is. I shall tell him that the ground is so fertile in Edinburgh that they can grow buildings. I can be SO cruel.

MM III

A noble game

2006-06-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well I say!

Last week was most enjoyable. I spent some time in Birmingham, and attended the third day of the second Test Match between England and Sri Lanka.

Unfortunately, it was quite a rainy day, and play didn't start until 4.45 pm, by which time, of course, I was rather pie-eyed.

Here are some snaps taken on the day, plus a video of some of the action.

First of all, a snap of my fairly modest accommodation

A log queue of people waiting in the rain to enter the ground.

My reception committee, including Mike Gatting, former England captain.

The covers - which protect the pitch from rain.

The crowd makes its own entertainment, whilst waiting for the game to begin. Four 'Freddie Flintoffs' watch an impromptu game outside the ground.

Excitement builds up as the covers come off.

And finally, at 4.45 pm, the game resumes.

You should be able to watch a short video here.

MM III

Z

2006-05-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

I say!

I must just say that, before I proceed with Mr RobMcJ's 'Z' meme, that I very much enjoyed the latest news from the UnHeard of Herald concerning the controversy surrounding the release of the Ra Bliss Code film. Personally, I thought Tom Blank's portrayal of Hotboy was spot on. Prof. Ralwin's research results are rather disturbing, if true.

Ten words beginning with Z, including an explanation of what the word means to me and why.

ZANU and ZAPU. If only they had not fallen out, things could have been very different in the natural breadbasket of Africa.

Dr Zangrevta. My physician in Kalimbuka. A Serb with a history that cannot, should not, and will not be written. I believe that I am his only musungu patient, but nevertheless, his travel pills are excellent, and he has supplied me with a headed letter explaining that they are a requirement for my (unspecified) ailment. Very convenient.

Zomba. Kalimbuka is towards the west of this delightful town which was once the capital of Malawi. His Excellency The Life President Dr H Kamuzu Banda decided that a more appropriate capital city should be built in the central region of the country. A wise decision in many ways, as it meant development for that otherwise rather forgotten region.

Dr Z. My dear friend and hunter from Sweden, who will be returning to Africa in September. No relation to Dr Zangrevta.

Mrs Dr Z. His delightful wife.

ZZ Top. Magnificent band, and suitable for playing on the Toyota Landcruiser stereo system, very loudly, when travelling through the bush.

Zaire. A vast country in central Africa. Patrice Lumumba, a close friend of Dear Paw Paw, should have been its first President, however he met an untimely end.

Zimbabwe. Currently a tradegy of enormous proportions, and that applies not just to their cricket team. One of the most beautiful countries in the entire world.

Zimbabwe Ruins. Some might say that the entire country is now in ruins, but here is a snap taken at the official ruins - built several hundred years ago.

Zephyr Zodiac. My Dear father (Paw Paw) had a white Ford Zephyr Zodiac for a while when we were resident in the UK.

Zeus. Dr Z once had a gardener called Zeus. His shallots were superb.

Zebra. Here are some I snapped, from the bottom of Mt Kilimanjaro.

MM III

Side trip to Prague

2006-05-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well I say!

How wonderful it is to be in Europe, now that spring is here. The "hush hush" tour continueth. A fleeting stay in good old Blighty, then Prague, and now back in Blighty, with the forthcoming Test Match in Edgbaston to look forwards to this coming weekend, and then a sidetrip to visit god old Hotboy. To quote good old Hotboy, "We are fortunate creatures". What joy!

I must say, my residence in Prague was quite suitable. 5* of course.

Here are two snaps of my living area.

And one of the front follows. I would normally recommend any such establishement, where one is so carefully taken care of.

Here are the 'dancing buildings'.

My evening meal. Delightful!

Unfortunately, it was quite wet in Prague. Much 'mvula', as Doviko would say. Here is a snap of the Charles Bridge.

The main square - raining again!

Finally, the main square at night.

These, and other snaps from the hush hush tour, I'll be posting at http://www.flickr.com/photos/55202568@N00/.

MM III

Good Old Blighty

2006-05-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

I say!

How nice it is to be back in the UK, albeit briefly.

I must say that the place has changed considerably. What wealth! What choice! What supermarkets - they quite put old Kandodo in perspective. What construction! What prices! How does anyone afford anything? Yet, it seems that most people spend much of their time making purchases in the shops which are now everywhere.

Rather a general unfriendliness of the man in the street, so it seems. No-one has time to say "Good morning" or "Good afternoon", which is rather sad.

But the thing I notice the most is that almost everyone is glued to their mobile phones, having running conversations wherever they are. What do they talk about? Apart from "I'm in the airport" - "The plane has just landed" and "We're pulling into the station" - that is. The other thing I notice is the considerable waste of resources - packaging and food, mostly. Even vegetables come in elaborate packaging - whatever next?

Mrs M, Doviko, Abdul, Casper and Farley are holding the fort back in Kalimbuka, aided by 'Armed Response' of course.

MM III

The Ilala II

2006-05-14T02:29:00.000-07:00

I say!

The flights are all booked, and I am very much looking forwards to the next couple of months 'hush hush' tour. However, before I depart I thought I should post the following collection of snaps from a trip Mrs M and myself took up the Lake on the MV Ilala II, a while back, to 'clear the decks', as it were.

It is a wonderful excursion to take, and I fully recommend it if you are ever in the region. The Ilala leaves from Monkey Bay and takes a few days to reach the northern end of Lake Malawi, calling in at some delightful spots on the way, including Nkhotakota and Nkata Bay.

First class accommomodation is excellent and relatively inexpensive, and occupies the top two decks. There are 10 cabins and a dining room, with a distinctive colonial feel to it. The lower deck accommodates about 400 people, who are, it must be said, rather crushed. The above snap shows myself enjoying the upper deck.

The next snap shows the Ilala at berth off Likoma Island.

For some villages on the Lake, the Ilala is their main link with the outside world, so there is always a lot of excitement when it calls.

The launch, returning with more passengers.

The final snap was taken from the hill on Likoma Island.

MM III

Cricket and blood

2006-05-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

I say!

Just found this video clip of Akhtar bowling to Gary Kirsten. WARNING - Gary, who is a lovely man and excellent batsman, gets knocked out. Rather reminds me of the beamer Doviko bowled at Cabbage a while back.

MM III

Lords

2006-05-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

I Say!

The lads did extremely well today at Lords, did they not?

For those of you who do not understand the game, as the famed tea towel explains "In cricket you are in until you're out, and then you go in again and the next man comes out". On more than one occasion, I have seen Doviko puzzle over this as he washes the dishes.

Today, England declared at 551 for 6. Declaration: this happens when a team's innings is closed before all the wickets have fallen. It could hardly be clearer than that now, could it?

In less than three weeks time I shall be in Blighty, at Edbaston, sitting down at Third Man. Third Man: the fielding position on the boundary behind the slips. It could hardly be clearer than that now, could it?

Yes, it will also be extremely good to see Hotboy once again, and of course I shall hope to take some snaps of the old chap - perhaps at his hut.

MM III

World Tour

2006-05-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

I say!

Not long to go now until my world tour. Just in case any criminals are reading this, I would point out that we have employed 'Armed Response' to patrol our residence whilst I'm away.

We had a test run the other day when I inadvertently pressed the panic button, and I say! the response was impressive. Within two minutes four 'beefy boys in black' arrived in a bakkie at the gate, jumped out and ran towards the front door, demanding to know the password in no uncertain terms. Certainly scared me!

So, what with Casper and Farley, Abdul and Armed Response, the place should be secure.

I shall hope to post some snaps of the forthcoming tour whilst on the move. Here are some snaps from a previous 'hush hush' tour.

Above: taken at The Forbidden City.

Below: my hotel in Beijing. The indoor swimming pool is on the left.

Below: Badaling Great Wall.

Below: the largest restaurant I have ever eaten in. It was vast!

MM III

Edgbaston

2006-04-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

I say!

From the bowler's perspective, the off stump is the stump to the left (assuming the batsman is right-handed), and the leg stump is the stump to the right. The middle stump needs no explanation.

Here's a snap taken on a previous 'hush hush' tour, at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, Warwickshire. We were seated down at third man.

Mrs M very much enjoys the next snap, taken in Lamu Town, on Lamu Island, from our hotel window. Can you spot the cat?

Finally, in celebration of Prince Harry's new found vocation, a snap taken in Lesotho, showing a rather pressing need for a new attitude towards recycling.

MM III

Leaving the ball

2006-04-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

I say!

I read an excellent piece in a magazine today about cricket, written by Giles Coren. Giles knows his stuff! Here is what he wrote:

"In cricket, things should happen only occasionally. In my day, a batsman knew how to leave a ball. I used to travel the country to watch Chris Tavare bat all day without hearing once the irritating din of leather on willow"

Tavare was one of the best leavers of the ball. For those who don't understand the irony in the above extract, the point is that it is not necesary to actually play at a ball if its outside the off stump.

Here is a snap of 'The G' taken from the top of a skyscraper in Melbourne.

MM III

Hotboy and Cricket

2006-04-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

I say!

I found this snap of Hotboy, at a cricket match of all places, in my collection, taken during a visit to Blighty some time ago.

What with my forthcoming, hush hush, 'world tour' to the Czech Republic, Holland, Scotland, an undisclosed location in the USA, and Shreveport, it will be so nice to meet up with Hotboy once more.

MM III

Witchdoctors

2006-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

I say!

Here's a joke I heard the other day in Sir Harry's.

An aging fellow is having a few problems with his performance in the bedroom department, so he visits a witchdoctor who is known to be an expert in such matters.

The witchdoctor quickly understands what the problem is, and makes up a potion for his new patient. However, he warns the patient that it will only work once a year. Fair enough, the patient agrees.

The witchdoctor explains that what the patient must do is drink the potion, then say "123", and he will be able to perform for as long as he wishes.

"What happens when its all over?" the patient enquires.

The witchdoctor says "All you, or your partner has to say is "1234" and then things will go back to normal. But remember, it will then not work for another year."

So, the fellow goes home, and can hardly wait for the evening to arrive. When its time to go to bed, he and his wife go to the bedroom and get undressed, he drinks the potion, says "123" and as predicted, the potion starts to work.

His wife looks at him and says "What did you say "123" for?"

Haw haw!

I once went to see a witchdoctor. I hasten to add it was not for the same reason as the fellow in the story! In fact, the criminals had broken into our house (this was before we installed extra security and employed a watchman) and I thought the witchdoctor might be able to tell us something about how to get our stolen goods back.

The snaps below show the witchdoctor in question, on the 'gourd telephone' to the big witchdoctor in Mocambique, asking for advice. In front of him in the second snap is a handle from one of the stolen goods, and another gourd with some magic potion in it. Not shown is some earth I had collected, that the criminals had trodden on.

After he'd spoken to the big witchdoctor in Mocambique, he announced that our goods were 'on the move' and 'not too far' from where we were.

Well, to cut a long story short, I did, soon after, recover a small part of what had been stolen - I won't say how, but it was on the move and not far from the house. This eventually led to the arrest of one of the suspected criminals, who was put in jail pending a trial.

Unfortunately, however, the police forgot to lock the door of the cell that night, the suspect walked out and has not been seen again. Most of the other things stolen have not been recovered either.

MM III

Kalimbuka XI v Swedish invitation XI

2006-04-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

I say!

I thought I'd better complete the set of snaps from the cricket match in Sweden, lest I forget.

The first one below shows Mrs M still hard at it as usual, clearing the pitch, whilst Menzies IV demonstrates the follow-through from a cover drive, and Henry Morton walks back to his spot.

The second one shows myself delivering a perfect googly to Dr Z, who, unfortunately, as is plain to see, could not seem to master the technique of playing with a straight bat. Henry Morton is well-positioned behind the stumps, with his balance slightly towards the on-side. Mrs Dr Z is fielding at mid-on.

Next, and nothing at all to do with cricket or Sweden, is Menzies IV being eaten by a plastic crocodile, somewhere near Pilanesberg.

Finally, Mrs M again. Does she never stop! Here she is hanging out the washing, Ouarzazate, Morocco.

MM III

Who wrote this?

2006-04-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

I say,

For the literate amongst you, and without 'googling' it, can you say who wrote the following:

"I speak of Africa and golden joys."

Too easy?

I have been reading several books about the Happy Valley crowd, amongst whom my dear PawPaw used to mingle.

Here's a wonderful little quotation from one of them (The life and death of Lord Errol):

"The quality and colour of one's pajamas and dressing gown worn to dinner revealed one's social standing"

Of course, amongst the Happy Valley crowd it was de rigueur to wear a dressing gown to dinner. What the servants made of it all is no one's guess, but I expect that they regarded themselves as being invisible.

Not too much time for snaps today, but here's a few. The first one shows an unfortunate legacy of war - taken over in Mutare (previously Umtali), in Zim.

A waterhole, taken on a walking safari over in Hwange.

The same waterhole, if I remember correctly, taken from further away. What a wonderful ensemble!

Elephants are such enjoyable beasts. This one got rather close.

MM III

Wonderful News!

2006-03-31T13:05:00.000-08:00

I say!

Wonderful news! Dr Z is back in Africa, undertaking further research in the Tuli Block. Perchance he will drop by Kalimbuka.

On a more sad note, my dear friend Elisha has been visiting Kenya, and reports that it has been very dry up in the 'Happy Valley'. The crops have failed and stock are dying. What very sad news from a wonderful part of the world.

Bad news from Ekwendeni, where a new disease has been attributed to Satanism. Not surprisingly, "Banda, who is also Moderator of the Synod, could not rule out Satanism as the cause but said it was difficult to prove."

To change track completely, here are some more snaps.

The first one is from the bhundu. Taken at Hwange, towards the end of a perfect afternoon. We found ourselves at a hide on stilts, surrounded by game. A magical snap, if I do say so myself, and one which is almsot prehistoric in concept. Of course, Menzies IV and Henry Morton were so excited that they could not keep quiet, and the game quickly dispersed.

The next one I took up at Motopos, in Zimbabwe, and shows an example of the rock paintings which date back - well, no one is quite sure, but probably thousands of years.

The next one shows Mrs M carrying Henry Morton over towards 'Livingstone's tree' in Botswana, where David Livingstone used to preach. A very old tree indeed.

Finally, a snap showing, in the distance, the roof of Africa - Lesotho. Wonderful place - don't miss the opportunity of going there, if you are in the area.

MM III

Cricket in Sweden

2006-03-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

I say!

With Menzies IV to the left and Henry Morton to the right is Dr Z, our dear Swedish friend and academic. Dr Z is, like myself, an 'old Africa hand' and often visits these climes. He has, I believe, now given up crocodile hunting, but unlike myself, Dr Z is still a hunter, and has been known to bag the odd impala for the pot.

The following snap was taken when we visited Dr Z in Sweden, a while back, at a torp near Kisa. The torp was of wooden construction and dated back many years. It had its own lake, on which Dr Z took Menzies IV and Henry Morton fishing one day.

Naturally, we wanted to play cricket, but the pitch was rather overgrown.

Mrs M soon chipped in and did most of the hard clearing work.

With myself opening the batting and doubling as umpire, the visitors won the day by an innings and several runs over the locals, who appeared rather perplexed as to the rules of the game.

MM III

Where's Mrs M?

2006-03-25T13:35:00.000-08:00

Can you spot Mrs M in the snap below? It was taken during a stopover, at a cafe in Amsterdam.

Both Hotboy and Mr Robmcj have been blogging about their dreams recently, and this cafe is the scene of a recurring nightmare that I unfortunately suffer from time to time.

In the dream, I am fixed to a chair at the cafe in the snap. I cannot move, for some reason, and neither can I talk. Although virtually catatonic, I can see and hear.

Looming over me is a ten-foot tall, drooling monster. The monster is very deformed, has steam coming from its nostrils, and is slavering and slobbering. For hours on end, the monster rants at me about retribution, retribution, retribution. I am riveted to the spot, and the purgatory seems unending.

Although there are other people in the dream, passing by the cafe, walking in the street, and a waitess, and so on, no-one seems to notice my predicament.

Finally, the monster reaches over to me, slices open my head, and sucks out my brains.

I wake up in a sweat, feeling for the top of my head.

Does anyone know what this dream means?

MM III

2006-03-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

I say!

Wonderful result for the boys in Bombay the other day. Flintoff captained the side well.

I understand that Cricket Australia, the national cricket body 'downunder' has ruled that shouting "Pommy bast*ard" from the terraces is not an ejectable offence. Fair enough, is what I say.

This brings to mind an event from a long time ago - the 1932-33 tour of Australia by England. It was reported that after a particularly garrulous session the England captain at the time, Douglas Jardine, complained to his opposing captain, Bill Woodfull, that one of the Australian side had called him a bast*rd.

Bill Woodfull went storming into his (Australian) dressing room, and demanded of his team-mates "Which one of you bast*rds called that bast*rd a bast*rd?"

Whilst the Blogger going is good, I have managed to upload three snaps. The first one shows what was round the corner from the hide in my previous posting - some giraffe.

The next snap was taken in Chobe, in northwest Botswana. An excellent game reserve which I wholeheartedly recommend to you if you find yourself in the area. It teams with game of all kinds. At the time that the snap was taken, we were in an open vehicle and feeling rather vulnerable, considering that we were only a few feat from a pride of lions. Henry Morton tried to step down in order to stroke them, but I was able to restrain him.

This final snap was taken at some magnificent ruins near Bulawayo, in southwest Zimbabwe. Menzies IV is inspecting the building work, which is most impressive (if you click on the image it will enlarge and you can see the detail). These structures were built long ago, and no-one is quite sure why. They are certainly not fortifications, and bring to mind other building works at Greater Zimbabwe, a couple of hundred miles away to the east.

MM III

Wildlife

2006-03-22T13:08:00.000-08:00

I say!

Still a fair amount of mvula here, and the place is slightly waterlogged. Never mind - its good for the crops.

Here is a snap of Mrs M at a hide in Matopos.

Blogger is once more defeating my attempts to post more snaps.

MM III

Overflow

2006-03-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

Well I say!

Blogger appears to be working well today.

Here is a snap of the overflow carpark at the Makghadighadi Salt Pan Bar. Heh, Heh.

Finally, the snap I tried to post several times last week, Menzies IV and Henry Morton enjoying breakfast on Castaway Island. This is an excellent establishment, which I fully recommend to anyone in the Pacific region. Just drop in, and you'll be made so welcome, as we were.

MM III

Murray River

2006-03-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

I say!

Thank goodness! Blogger is now working sufficiently well for me to post some snaps of Australia, taken during the Milngavie clan trip to visit Carslemane Foraix at Daly Waters.

The first snap was taken on the banks of the Murray River, at Albury. What a delightful place Albury is, I must say. Menzies IV and Henry Morton are shown in the soft evening light.

The next snap shows the astoundingly attractive railway station at, unless my memory fails me, Wagga Wagga. In the local language, 'wagga' means 'crow', and in past times, crows gathered here in large numbers. We did notice one crow during our brief stop there, which reminded me rather of Carlos Castaneda

I say! Blogger once more does not appear to want to let me post images - I do not get the message 'Complete' or whatever it is. Blast! I shall hope to post more on another occasion.

MM III

Murray

2006-03-19T04:07:00.000-08:00

I say!

I promised to post some snaps of Australia, but there appears to be a problem with Blogger's method of uploading pictures at the present time, so I will postpone this for the moment.

MM III

Dinner on the bus

2006-03-12T13:58:00.000-08:00

I say!

Mrs M reminded me over an aperitif this evening of the time we enjoyed dinner in a London bus in the Magaliesberg. I can't remember the exact location, but we were driving from Pretoria to Gabs, came round a corner, and there was a London bus, set up as a restaurant!

Well, we had to stop, of course, and what a wonderful meal it was as well. Veal, if my memory serves me.

MM III

Aberdares

2006-03-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

I say!

How wonderful it is that people from other countries are visiting this blog. It warms the cockles.

Here is a snap of Mrs M in her lovely safari dress, which we bought especially so that we could keep up appearances for our visit to the Aberdare Country Club, which I mentioned in my last post. The Club is in the background, and one can see what a delightful vista there is from the khondi. Used to be forest all around in those parts, in the days of my dear Papa. Some misplaced Boers helped to clear it. In those days, a forest clearing workforce could number several hundred.

The next snap was taken from our hotel window in Lamu, looking down on the market beside the old fort. The fort served as a prison for many a year, but is now a world heritage site. I once attended a wonderful lecture and slide show, given by Richard Leakey, in the grounds.

Below is a snap of some buffalo, enjoying the salt lick at The Ark. I must retrieve some more wildlife snaps from my collection, because animals are the essence of the African experience. Lone buffalo are very dangerous, but if found in a herd, are normally relatively docile. A pride of lions can take down a buffalo, though often the hunt is aborted.

MM III

Chikungunya

2006-03-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

I say!

Been rather busy with blasted paperwork, recently. One doesn't anticipate high levels of bureaucracy in hush hush work, and of course one never sees James Bond filling out innumerable forms, but I can assure you, the need frequently arises.

Whilst other parts of the world are concerned about avian 'flu, we are bracing ourselves for the arrival of the chikungunya virus, which has now reached Mauritius. It is mosquito-borne, and naturally, during this extended wet season, there are many of those blighters around.

To lighten the mood, here are some more snaps. Thankyou for the comments received from my last posting. That snap was taken at Shella Beach, on Lamu island. Lamu town is two miles inland from the beach, and is a very appealing place, what with its mixture of African, Arab and Portuguese influences. The first snap shows one of the old buildings that abound in the town. Indeed, some of the architecture is suffering from neglect.

To get to Lamu from Malindi, one must cross the Tana River. The next snap shows how it is done - by rope! I say, when it came to our turn, Mrs M, as usual, pulled her weight.

The Tana's source is many miles inland and is fed by snow-melt from Mt Kenya. A few miles west of Mt Kenya is Nyeri, where the Hamilton Gordon brothers used to live in a magnificent house. This house has since become the Aberdare Country Club, and I must say - they put on an excellent luncheon, which one can enjoy whilst being entertained by the peacocks. The last time we were there, Mrs M and myself enjoyed a superb kudu steak.

The Country Club is where The Ark, a Treetops-style 'hotel' is run. Now - what an excellent place The Ark is! I fully recommend it, the next time you are in the area. We had a most enjoyable stay there. If one has not overdone the MGTs (which both Mrs M and myself avoided on this occasion) one can elect to be 'buzzed' by the resident hunter if anything of special interest visits the waterhole over which The Ark overlooks during the night. During our visit, the buzzer in our room went at 1am. We both put on our dressing gowns and walked to the viewing platform, half expecting the nocturnal visitor to be nothing more than a rhino (very nice in itself, but one has seen numerous rhinos). In the event, it turned out that a bongo had decided to visit the salt lick! The bongo is an extremely elusive animal, and everyone was frightfully excited. During the course of a year, perhaps four or five sightings are made, at the Ark. We were extremely fortunate, and celebrated in the required way.

MM III

Shella Beach

2006-02-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

I say!

This is one of my favourite snaps of Mrs M, taken at Shella Beach, Lamu Island, off the Kenyan coast. What a lovely beach, and virtually deserted. There was a rumour at the time that a lion had swam the channel over to the island, but even on a normal day the beach has few visitors. The area is good for windsurfing, though in the afternoon the wind rises quite a bit. After a swim, one enjoys a sundowner at nearby Peponi's.

MM III

What is Mrs M holding in her hand?

2006-02-17T14:28:00.000-08:00

I say!

This is my second posting of the evening. Please do also peruse the first.

Here is a quiz.

What is the blue thing that Mrs M holding in her hand, in the snap below? You should be able to click on the image to enlarge it.

MM III

Constant Gardener

2006-02-17T13:26:00.000-08:00

I say!

Blogger seems to have misplaced my profile picture. Until I can find it again, the statue of my second born's namesake will need to suffice.

Of different matters - Mrs M and myself were fortunate enough to view the film 'Constant Gardener' the other evening. I shall not say exactly how, but let us say that it helps to have friends in high and commissioned places.

And my goodness! What an excellent film it is, indeed! The exact intricacies of the plot are absolutely too fast moving and beyond me, but this did not adversely affect my enjoyment of the wonderful screenplay, the impressive acting of Ralf Fiennes and my dear Rachel Weisz, the creative direction, and the wholly outstanding scene setting. The film catches the bustling mood of Kibera and Nairobi, the vibrant life of Africa, the heart-warming scenery, the corruption one sometimes experiences, and much more. I do not agree with those others who have said that it imposes a dark canvas on which to tarnish the country of Kenya.

I cannot recommend the film enough.

Parts of the film are set around Lake Turkana, and it very much brought to mind the times Mrs M and myself have spent in that locale. Why - I believe I may even have recognised some of the 'extras'!

The first snap below shows a typical El Molo house, with three villagers, on the shores of Lake Turkana.

Now, as I expect you were about to point out, although the producer of the film has funded a school development for the El Molo at Loiyangalani, most of the local people featured in the film were Turkana, rather than El Molo.

Below is a snap of a Turkana lady. I was the first white man she had seen in the flesh. I was also intrigued by her, in turn. To her, I suspect I cut a ridiculous figure - with my various clothes, hat, shoes, camera and so on. Her decorations are purposeful. They explain much about whether she is married, how many children she has, whether her uncle has passed on or not, and so on.

At the El Molo encampment, here is a snap of Mrs M and her new acquaintance.

Finally, three Rendille lads. It is they who are amongst those who spend some of their time in the Loiyangalani Internet cafe, and who are so amused by the writings of my dear HotBoy.

MM III

Where's Mrs M? (2)

2006-02-16T12:40:00.000-08:00

I say!

Jolly good fun all this Mrs M-spotting. Better than trainspotting, and here's another example. Can you spot Mrs M in the snap below, taken in the Djemaa El Fnaa, Marrakesh?

If your answer was "Twenty-third from the left, thirty-second row up" then you are, of course correct. Ha ha. Here's a close-up taken from the ground. In this one, Mrs M is much easier to spot.

Below is Mrs M on a donkey, somewhere in eastern Morocco.

For once, Mrs M watches, whilst others do the rough work to repair our transportation!

MM III

Where's Mrs M?

2006-02-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

I say!

Do you remember the 'Where's Wally' books? I believe that in some countries they may have been known as 'Where's Waldo?'.

Menzies IV and Henry Morton used to love looking for Wally, when they were younger.

Well, here's a variation on the theme, which I thought of when it became clear that Mrs M was hard to locate in some of my snaps (e.g. the one taken at the Ku Chawe). Can you spot Mrs M in the snap below? Doviko found her straight away. Its possible her lighter complexion gives her away a tad.

These snaps were taken at Omdurman, close to Khartoum. You may remember that Omdurman was the location of a battle between the Mahdists and the British forces, lead by Kitchener, on the 2nd September, 1898. Incidentally, amongst the British was a young Sir Winston Churchill. The battle sealed the fate of the Mahdiya. The Mahdist Army, approximately 52,000 strong, suffered losses of 20,000 dead, 22,000 wounded, and some 5,000 were taken prisoner. In contrast, the Kitchener's Anglo-Egyptian Army, some 23,000 strong, suffered losses of 48 dead, and 382 wounded. Quite a rout, and one which showed the superiority of modern firepower!

Each Friday, members of the Tariqa religious order assemble at his mosque (shown in the background, two snaps below) in Omdurman, and perform the zikra and Dervish Dancing.

I say! It is something not to miss! You can see a Dervish dancer in the snap below. Several followers begin by walking round in a circle (shown in the bottom snap), and then a dancer, or sometimes two or three, will break out and twirl around, for all he is worth. Quite a crowd gathers, and the ceremony continues for some time, until it starts to get dark. When it is over, one catches a 'box' (communal taxi) back to one's residence.

In case you are wondering, I think that Mrs M can only be seen in the top snap. But I may be wrong.

MM III

Sudan

2006-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

I say!

In response to Mr Robmcj's recent post, I am posting a few snaps taken in the Sudan, the last time Mrs M and myself were both there.

The first one shows Mrs M in typical pose - striding out for the top of a jebel, over in Kassala, near the Eritrean border.

The next one shows the view from the summit, looking towards northern Eritrea.

The third snap shows the jebel in question from Kassala town. Quite an impressive piece of geology.

The following snap shows Mrs M purchasing some cloth from a local shop. With this cloth, she created a turban for me, so that I fitted in better with the locals.

The next one shows Kassala market. Lovely fruit!

The final snap shows the Kassala equivalent of Marks & Spencers.

MM III

Selection of bars

2006-02-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

I say!

I would hate to give the impression that I spend an inordinate amount of my leisure time frequenting drinking establishments, but occasionally one does feel the need to imbibe.

Here is a selection of some more bars in which I have enjoyed the occasional Green, Castle or Tusker (depending on the location).

The first bar is surely managed by a marketing genious. The 'Super Modern' at Mangochi. The town has no mains electricity, but when the generator at the 'Super Modern' clicks in, the action begins.

Menzies IV ordering (I presume) water at the bar of the Gabs Sun, under the watchful eyes of two guards.

Henry Morton, Mrs M and Menzies IV at Odballs' bar, deep in the Okavango Delta.

Leopard Rock Hotel, Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe. The original hotel was mortared during the war, and subsequently rebuilt into this delightful establishment.

The incomparable Vic Falls Hotel, run by Meikles.

A rather poor snap of the Sudan Club, Khartoum. Went 'dry' in the early 80s, but saw a lot of action before that. Rumours still circulate that there is a hidden 'stash' of gin somewhere in the basement.

Our dear beloved Ku Chawe on the plateau. Burnt down and rebuilt, and just about viewable from the front garden at Kalimbuka. Mrs M 'hiding' far right.

Myself, enjoying a Green at a bottlestore in Dedza.

Not only have they perfected the G&T, but they also serve some of the best food in Kenya - Peponi Hotel, Shella Beach, Lamu Island.

MM III

Enjoyable bars

2006-01-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

I say!

The mvula is now becoming slightly tedious. Some of the land has become rather waterlogged.

However - chin up!

My favourite bar is, of course, Sir Harry's. But here are some others I have enjoyed.

The Makghadighadi Salt Pan Bar. It is so dry in the Makghadighadi area that frequent refreshment is necessary.

Menzies IV, at Riley's Bar, Maun. Sir Laurens wrote about this excellent establishment.

Mrs M and Henry Morton, looking out from Kubu Lodge, Chobe. Excellent coffee served thereabouts!

MM III

Children

2006-01-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

I say!

I was very saddened to hear about what happened to Joan Root, up at Lake Naivashu. It only goes to show that one can never be too careful about matters of security. When Abdul is on his evening off, I always ask Doviko to be on standy.

On a more pleasant note, it is always wonderful to note how many children there are hereabouts. Wherever one goes, even in the bush, it seems that there are children everywhere.

This country has a high birth-rate. Not only that, but the children are not distracted by computer games, and the like. They tend to make their own entertainment, and can almost always be found outside.

Here are some snaps of children in this part of the world. Note their wonderful teeth, and the happy smiles, even though most of them are poor, in western financial terms.

The first two were taken up at the north of the Lake, near Livingstonia.

The next one was taken from a train, half-way to Nayuchi, on the Mocambique border. Those in blue are wearing their school uniform.

The next one shows a group in a village by the Lake. As soon as I got the camera out, they all became very excited, and started to make 'kung fu' poses. Living near the Lake, they are more likely to be well fed.

MM III

A carving

2006-01-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

I say!

To add to the examples of African creativity which I posted recently, here is a snap of a woodcarving. A most impressive, and large, mask. Partly visible beside it is an example of a 'chief's chair' - a simple but effective construction. We have one similar to the one shown in our house, here in Kalimbuka. At the Mangochi turnoff you will usually find quite a number for sale or barter.

MM III

African creativity

2006-01-14T02:37:00.000-08:00

I say!

There is an impressive amount of ongoing creativity, hereabouts. The snaps below show, firstly, baskets and mats on sale by the roadside just past Mangochi; a lovely model of the Illala - the boat which operates on Lake Malawi, and on which Mrs M and myself have enjoyed various trips (I will hope to post some more snaps later); Mrs M talking to one of the Fathers at Mua Mission; and a closer snap of one of the painted rondavels at Mua.

If you are ever hereabouts, you should not fail to visit the Mission, and especially its cultural museum.

MM III

Various snaps

2006-01-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

I say!

On the 4th January I posted a painting of the market. Here is a snap taken in the same market, from nearly the same point. Sadly, the market burnt down last March. It was a very vibrant and colourful place.

This next one is quite interesting, in my opinion. It was taken on the road to Lake Turkana, in Northern Kenya, on a six day 'Exodus'-type trip (where everyone sits on the back of a truck and watches the world go by). It is interesting because it shows that Mrs M, on the right, is the only one of the party contributing to the wood-gathering effort!

The following snap was taken on safari in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. MM III to the right, watching some hippos on the far bank. Sadly, there are no black rhinos ('chipembele' in the local Nyanja language) there any more, even though the area was once famed for them.

L to R, Casper, Mrs M wearing her lovely Egyptian dress, and Farley.

MM III

Collage

2006-01-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

I say!

No mvula today, but the forecast is for more to follow shortly.

I have discovered why Mrs M. has asked me to scan and then print so many family snaps. She is making a photo-collage!

Here are a few that she has requested I reproduce, though I fear this blog is becoming little more than a historic scrapbook, and losing much of its previous African awareness bias.

The first one was taken on the Gabs to Francistown road. L to R - Henry Morton, Mrs M, and Menzies IV on the bongo.

This is one of Mrs M's favourite snaps, taken in the high Atlas, Morocco, near a village called Imlil, the day before we did Jebel Toubkal. Mrs M. is clearly 'striding out'!

This one is rather dark, unfortunately, though it has special memories for us. Henry Morton and Menzies IV are centre, and Mrs M. is one of the other shadows (not sure which one). Castaway Island, Fiji, is in the background. What a glorious locale! Fiji is at roughly the same latitude as Malawi, though the geology is quite different. I shall hopefully post some more snaps taken thereabouts, soon. The boys really enjoyed the banana boat ride back to the resort! We visited Fiji on our way to visit Carslemane, in Daly Waters, a few years back

MM III

Okavango from the air

2006-01-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

I say!

Here are some more snaps taken in the Okavango Delta, at, or near, Oddballs Camp. Its a wonderful place!

The light aircraft arrives.

Mrs M. and the boys sheltering from the sun under the wing.

The rather dry swamp from the air.

A village.

An oxbow.

Just to show what the results of a lack of rain can do, please ponder the next couple of snaps. Firstly, a few hours east of the Delta, at Victoria Falls, moi in front of the Falls.

From more or less the same vantage point, taken on a more recent visit.

MM III

Zomba Market

2006-01-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

I say!

Its been rather busy hereabouts, what with royal visist to Chiradzulu and such like. Of course, my own role in this is too 'hush hush' to reveal, so I'll say no more.

I've been asked to post some snaps of the Okavango taken from the air, which I will do shortly. In the meantime, here is a delightful painting of what was Zomba Market, before it burnt down last March. If you look closely, and unfortunately there appears to be a little glare which I do not know how to avoid with my rather silly little camera, you can see Mrs M. and myself, slightly right of centre.

The bright colours are wonderful, don't you think?

MM III

More precipitation

2005-12-27T08:30:00.000-08:00

I say!

Still wet here. I hope Christmas was enjoyable for you. We certainly appreciated Doviko's turkey.

Apropos of nothing in particular, except that Mrs M. recently requested a print, here is a snap taken in the 'departure lounge' when we visited the Okavango, some time ago.

MM III

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

I say!

A Merry Christmas to all, and especially those who may read this. I hope you have a wonderful festive season. Remember! Don't skimp on the MGTs. Myself and Mrs M certainly won't.

A sobering thought, though, to keep in mind whilst one is enjoying the festivities.

The cost of the Christmas trees and baubles bought this year in New York, or London, or Paris would almost certainly pay off most of the foreign debt of more than one so called 'Third World' countries.

Chin up, and let us look towards a good future. Here's to your gardens.

Christmas is not celebrated hereabouts too much, but here is a snap taken one Christmas a while back in Zimbabwe, at the Leopard Rock Hotel, which was mortared during the war, but since rebuilt. It shows my wonderful sons (Menzies IV and Henry Morton) enjoying a Santa Leopardsmobile

Cheers!

MM III

The Fridgerator Post

2005-12-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Well I say!

I've never posted twice in one day before, but I've been tagged over at Carslemane's, and this time I don't want to be disqualified!

So, below please find a snap of my fridgerator as it is at the present moment, with an explanation beneath.

My fridgerator contains the following, which may not be quite clear from the snap, from top left to right:

4 avocados
2 pawpaws (from my garden)
A bowl of redskin peanuts
1 mango (early, for pickling)
1 capsicum (large)
1 piri piri
1 Mulanje Pineapple - they are the most delicious pineapples in the world - I brought this one back from our 'safari'.
Some beef which Doviko has taken and is now cooking. He says he will post the recipe.
Tonic
Some aromatic bitters for rock shandies
Milk (at back)
This evening's supply (at front) - I don't usually chill it in the bottle, but Doviko forgot to make ice today.
Matimati
Something Doviko bought in the market - it may be a gourd, but I'm not too sure.
Some sweet potatoes, which Doviko has also now taken and put in the oven.

MM III

Literary quiz

2005-12-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

I say!

Here is a literary question for you. Answers in the Comments, s'il vous plait.

Inspired by Hotboy's forthcoming birthday, and his previous writings, can you say who wrote the following. Its rather risque.

"The year I turned 90, I wanted to give myself the gift of a night of wild love with an adolescent virgin."

More rain here today, with heavier storms forcast over Christmas. Excellent news for the villages and their gardens.

Below is a picture taken some time ago with my heirs, Menzies IV (standing in front of Menzies III) and Henry Morton (being given a ride), taken at the foot of the Drakensbergs. If I remember correctly, that is Cathedral Peak in the background. The film 'Zulu' was shot not too far away. What an impressive escarpment the Draks present. They ski up there sometimes, you know. I will hope to post some more photos taken in Lesotho, another very poor country economically, soon.

MM III

Last few days

2005-12-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

I say!

I have been rather tardy in posting to this blog over the last few days. Unfortunately, Mrs M has been down with the 'flu, though thankfully she is almost fully recovered now.

When one feels one is coming down with the 'flu hereabouts, there is always a slight concern that it might be malaria. The initial symptoms are very similar. Malaria is still the biggest killer out of all diseases in the world, and it is unfortunately prevalent in these climes. We all know of losses.

My own preventative remedy is to add a generous amount of 'T' to the 'MGT', as I understand tonic contains quinine. It is no surprise that a stiff G&T has been the tipple of choice amongst expats for generations.

What with all of the rain we've been having, there are many more mosquitoes than usual, but one can't complain, as it is excellent for the gardens.

We have also been preparing for Christmas. There was a rumour in Sir Harry's about a temporary availability of turkeys. I cannot say any more, but I immediately acted, and the freezer is stocked!

It seems inappropriate to purchase Christmas baubles and suchlike decorations from the slender selection available at Kandodo, given that this, in effect, uses up good foreign exchange for which there are much more worthy causes hereabouts, and they are frightfully expensive as well. So, Doviko and myself have been creative with some origami Christmas decoration instructions we discovered on the net. I will hopefully post some snaps of our wonderful paper angels and stars.

In the meantime, I discovered in my cache some snaps taken down in the Elephant Marsh, in the Lower Shire, a while back, which are reproduced below.

The second one shows the method the locals employ to catch fish.

Mrs M can be seen in the prow of the mokoro of the last one.

MM III

Shameful Act

2005-12-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

I Say!

I suggest a stiff gin & tonic before reading on....

MM III

Kalahari Days

2005-12-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

I say!

I have managed to locate some snaps taken when we lived on the banks of the Mogoditshane.

The first one shows our house - Plot 5711

The second was taken in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, north east Botswana.

Pronunciation: mä-"kä-dE-'kä-dE

From L to R: Menzies IV, Menzies III, Henry Morton.

The third snap shows Menzies and Henry Morton playing in a mokoro at Oddballs Camp, Okavango Delta, with a tusker in the background.

Next is Menzies IV at Matopos, Zimbabwe.

The final snap shows Menzies IV on the prowl in Molepolole.

MM III

Dreadful Writing Competition entry

2005-12-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Oh bother!

I have been tagged in a writing competition by Carslemane Foraix, from Daly Waters in Australia, and my mind is a complete blank.

Ah, I say! Here is my entry, found in Mrs Milngavie's scrapbook.

To understand this a little further, it is necessary to know that, hereabouts, the locals often mix up their 'Ls' with their 'Rs'. I say! The roof must have been tired after its flight.

MM III

Mulanje 'safari'

2005-12-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

I say!

Here, as promised, are some snaps of our trip to the Mulanje Massif.

First of all, so that you can place where we went, the first snap shows the view over towards Mulanje from Zomba. This one was taken previously, when the area was quite green. It shows the town of Zomba in the centre, with Ntonya hill to the right. Mulanje is in the clouds in the far distance.

The highest point of the Mulanje range reaches nearly 10,000 feet. We approached from the Fort Lister Gap, to the north, and climbed Namasile, which is 8815 ft.

The Fort Lister Gap is an old slaving route. In the last century, slaves were rounded up in the area and transported through the Gap to Mocambique and thence on to the coast, by Arab traders. Unlike West Africa, less has been writen about the destination of slaves from East Africa.

The people from around the lake (Nyasa), so it has been written, made good slaves. They were hard working and not prone to revolt. The Masai, from much further north in Kenya, on the other hand, made poor slaves, as they tended to simply lay down and died.

The Fort Lister Gap, was, therefore, the last part of their homeland seen by thousands of slaves, and it was fascinating to visit this area.

This shot shows us starting out. Some of the party hired local porters. Of course, Menzies did not. I prefer to carry my own provisions, though at times I regretted this decision!

Looking down into the Gap, and to the right, into Mocambique.

Interesting cloud formations, looking to the west.

Sombani Hut, our base camp. L to R - one of our party, the local carpenter, and four porters.

Looking back down to the Gap.

Not much of a panorama from Namasile.

MM III

Baby snaps

2005-12-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well I say!

I seem to be a bit disorganised. I intended to post some snaps of our recent 'safari' to Mulanje, but Mrs Milngavie has interjected and insisted I post a couple of snaps of our offspring instead.

So, here we are. Two photographs of our eldest, Menzies IV, taken some time back - in fact, today he's a strapping lad. They show how quickly he was able to cause confusion.

Click on the photos to see the dribbles!

MM III

Animal hazards 4

2005-11-27T03:10:00.000-08:00

I say!

More cuttings from Mrs Milngavie's scrapbook:

Here is one of my favourites:

MM III

Animal Hazards 3

2005-11-26T03:01:00.000-08:00

I say!

Here are some more cuttings about animal hazards hearabouts.

MM III