Life in Africa.
A new life starts today. We pack up to leave the hotel after our honeymoon to go back home. Setting off and it's not long before the car started makes funny noises. Yes, some blue smoke and it stops. In the middle of nowhere, no mobiles in those days and no sign of life. We will have to wait by the side of the road and hope someone comes along. It was the only road along to the hotel and lake and although not busy, something usually around. Thankfully after a few minutes a friend comes and offers to drive us back so Klaus can arrange for the works mechanic to come and see to the car. Luckily it got sorted out that day as we would need the car.
For me this was the first time in Klaus's house just across the road from my folks house. I will be meeting 'Cookie'', Klaus's cook/house servant as the new mistress of the house. Cookie has looked after Klaus for a few years and like most rule the house! He is an elderly African gentleman with white curly hair and very much in charge. Now he will have to bring 'Missy' up to his standards!!!
We were only staying in this house for a couple of weeks, as Klaus had a promotion, seems the incident with his dog ended up working in his favour. The company needed his experience. With having to travel frequently back to Blantyre and back it would be better if we lived down there.
'Fatso' his dog has gone back to the breeders as their other male dog died, and this one had pedigrees as long as your arm, but getting old, and they needed a male dog for breeding until one of the younger dogs was old enough. They gave us a new puppy in place. We now have 'Boss' a boxer puppy also pedigree, but we just wanted a dog as a pet.
Klaus was also going to help me finish off learning how to drive, badly needed out there. I had learnt in the UK whilst I was nursing there, but failed my test, so back on the road, a very different kind of driving. Goats, cows bicycles, people, and whatever all use what part of the road or track they prefer.
We would drive out to Dedza, at the week-end where there was a small restaurant serving Portuguese food as it was on the border of Mozambique. A good 50 mile drive one way and we would practise going up the mountain, scary especially when the loose soil and stones rattled away under the car. No barriers to stop you going over the edge here. Just driving there gave you nearly all the conditions you could come across.
We would stop here and sit out on the small veranda, there was only about 3 tables, and have piri-piri chicken and chips washed down with a Portuguese local red wine and strong coffee afterwards. Cars going past with give a toot and leave you sitting in a swirl of dust. Mangy dogs scratching themselves and an odd chicken or two pecking around near your feet. The cat sunny itself on a step nearby waiting to trip you up. Fantastic.
driving sometimes at the week-end. Rest of the time it was round and about the town. Passed thanks to Klaus when I took my test. Klaus will hopefully have a company car to drive now himself.
Hope you are enjoying reading this and travelling back with me in time.
GOURDS.
A new gourd with a shell for something different. Down in 'That Nice Shop' in Polis .
This lamp has already been sold down there. Klaus will have to get busy again creating!!
Do catch up with me next week.
Take care and stay safe.
Click on any picture to enlarge it.
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