Beit Bridge to Bulawayo

We approached the Zimbabwe border at Beit Bridge with mild trepidation. We had received many well meant dire warnings from folk with first and secondhand knowledge of the shenanigans involved in crossing over. We, however, were of the opinion that we had lots of time, were not in a rush etc etc.

Needless to say, I totally lost the plot with the " touts" and an irate Roderick banished me to the sweltering car for the next three and a half hours whilst he proceeded to navigate his way through the chaos.

Rather bleak, we set off for Bulawayo, and whatever else lay ahead. Truth be told, to date we have been met with the epitome of politeness, friendly faces and efficiency at every road block and toll that we have encountered - and there are many in Zim!

Necia's childhood home still in pretty good shape.

A time warp visit to Nesbitt Castle in the suburbs.

Bulawayo was a real trip down memory lane and a revisiting of roots, especially for Necia. We stayed with Jean Greaves (ex Nyamandhlovu farmers) and had a week of exploring and getting to know her grandchildren!

Fine dining in a different era

Especially for you, Megs !

The Nesbitt Castle ....

Peaceful chapel in the Castle gardens

Rod pleasantly surprised to find the Municipal buildings still in such good shape.	The Bend Over Bazaar  - local secondhand clothes shopping market
Southern Sun hotel where we first met at an Octoberfest!	Sad to see the degradation of Centennial Park and offices where I spent a happy year working.

Matobo - the weekend playground of my youth.

We could not imbibe enough of the grandeur of the rocks, the smell of the bush, the blue blue skies and the spiritualness of the place.

Always curious - what's inside / on top?!

We got to visit a gold mine just outside Gwanda, owned by our friends. What a treat and so interesting.

Duncan ( hunter/gatherer farmer turned miner out of necessity ) and his amazing Mum, Jean, Greaves.

Farvic Mine - up and running and rejuvenated.

This is where we climbed down and down and down. And yes, you guessed it - what goes down has to come up! Rod resisted a leg massage for almost a week, he could hardly walk after the excursion.

Relaxing after the mine trip with Chop and Rump for company.

Extracting the gold from the wire wool. Almost ready to be cast into cones and banked!

We finally dragged ourselves away from Jean's wonderful hospitality and headed for Harare. So chuffed to met and interacted with some of her grandchildren and Duncan, Sasha and Debs too. I think Jean was reluctant to let us go as she had a willing handyman in Rod fixing errant Kreepy Kraulies and fashioning pirates swords for her grandson!