The Zimbabwe Chronicles Part 4

Following the reception at Leopard Rock, the family and close friends all drove down the mountain again to Brian's house in Mutare. On the way down, we passed some zebra in the road - rather odd as they are not usually found up in the Vumba.


Once down at Brian's the party continued with Séan as barman - and a very good barman he was too! The tables were all set for the lunch, but the food was delayed as there was no ZESA - again! But we didn't mind, as we just carried on partying while we waited. Finally we sat down to eat and listen to the speeches before partying on again! Then came the cutting of the cake and time to dance. Everyone was in good humour and we only left to find our way back up to the Inn on the Vumba when the Aussies started jumping in the pool!

Lauren and Steven cut the cake.

Mmmm chocolate cake!

We're not too old to rock 'n' roll!

We danced the night away!

Elizabeth Coughlan

The Zimbabwe Chronicles Part 3

This is the only picture of me in my wedding finery, complete with fascinator! 

Here, David and I are with Ruth and her two daughters. Terry is in the background.

Gradually, everyone arrived at Leopard Rock and we made our way to the ninth tee, where the wedding ceremony was to be held. Steven and his brother, Mike, waited by the magistrate's table as the guests gathered all around. Finally, Lauren arrived in a golf cart, driven by Brian William and accompanied by Lindsay, who looked stunning in a long red dress.

Lindsay looking stunning.

Dennis walked Lauren down the aisle strewn with flowers.

Lauren looked beautiful in a chocolate-brown dress and carried strelitzias as her bouquet. The magistrate conducted the ceremony and everything went smoothly - except when Mike handed over the box with the rings. When Steven opened the box it was empty. After a moment of sheer panic, Mike said, "Oh, are you looking for these?" and took the rings out of his pocket. The rest of the ceremony went without a hitch and the MDC choir sang beautiful African songs in celebration.

Steven's moment of panic as he discovers the rings are missing.

Presenting Mr and Mrs Cox.

The choir sang beautifully

Afterwards, we all made our way back to the club house for refreshments. Brian William took pity on his old auntie and drove me back in a golf cart. We stayed at the club house socialising for a couple of hours, before the family and close friends drove down the mountain for the wedding lunch at Brian's house in Mutare.

Brian, Brian and Lindsay.

The reception at the club house at the Leopard Rock Hotel.

Elizabeth Coughlan

The Zimbabwe Chronicles Part 2

Following lunch at Chitora, we all drove to Brian's home in Mutare, where we found Brian, Brian William, Lindsay, Lauren, Steven, baby Findlay, a lot of Australians - and chaos. Flo immediately took charge of Findlay, while the rest of us tried to help in some way, but, Sue, the wedding planner, was rather stressed so we didn't stay too long. We left to visit Lynne instead. What a lovely person she is!

Flo amuses Findlay, while Lauren and Sue look on.

Karen is amused at the efforts to put up a shade tent.

Brian, Paddy, Tim and David sneaked off to watch the Grand Prix while chaos reigned!

Sue showing signs of despair!

Lynne with Sue

From Lynne's house on the golf course, we finally drove up to the Inn on the Vumba, where we were to stay. Unfortunately, there was no Zesa! ZESA stands for the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority and it has become a noun, as in, "There is no Zesa!" or, "When is the Zesa coming on?" So, dinner that night was by candlelight - very romantic! The electricity came on again at about 3 am, but was off again, just when we needed to wash and dry our hair the next day. Fortunately, Christine, the manageress, had promised to turn on the generator if there was no electricity.

Our candlelit dinner at the Inn on the Vumba. Along the left from front to back: Sue, Karen, Kathy, Flo, Tim and Me. From the right from front to back: Terry, Paddy, Bernard, David and Margy. Séan is missing, as he kindly took the photo.

Tea arrived at 6 am and David and Terry went for a run and a swim. I had a bath (no showers!!!) and washed my hair in the hope that Christine would hold to her promise. Finally, at 7:30 am the generator kicked into life and we all managed to get to breakfast at 8 am all ready coiffed.

After breakfast, we all dressed in our finery and, at 10 am departed for Leopard Rock Hotel and the golf club house, where we were all to gather ready for the wedding of Lauren to Steven.

Elizabeth Coughlan

The Zimbabwe Chronicles Part 1

We were picked up at Harare Airport by Tim's driver, Lovemore, as Tim and Flo were on their way back from Mana Pools where Flo runs Goliath Safaris. Their home in Harare is lovely and the garden shows Flo's artistic touch.

Flo's garden. I love the little warthogs on the left!

All sorts of imported goodies are now available in Harare.

The next day (Friday), Tim, Flo and Séan had business to deal with, so David and I drove to Borrowdale Village. What a transformation! When David was there two years ago, The shops were empty. Then, in Bon Marché supermarket, all David could see were bottles of imported Zonnebloem wine and nothing else. Now, the shelves are groaning with all sorts of delights. People want for nothing - as long as they have access to the necessary American dollars. Unfortunately, huge swathes of the populous have no way of acquiring American dollars. They can buy nothing and can only resort to bartering, begging or burglary to survive.



That evening, we had a delicious braai, cooked by Tim. It was such a jolly evening as we caught up with each other's news.

Flo has added photography and writing to her other artistic skills. Her wildlife photos are stunning. Some of her latest show a lion kill that happened only a few metres in front of her. It is an amazing sequence of images.

On Saturday we relaxed looking out over Tim and Flo's garden. It is wonderfully tranquil and a twitcher's paradise. Tim has identified more than 70 different species of bird visiting their beautiful oasis in Harare.

On Sunday morning, we left Harare for Rusape where we were to have morning tea, followed by lunch, at Chitora, Terry and Sue's farm. There, we met up with Terry, Sue, Kathy, Karen, Paddy, Margie and Bernard. It was lovely to be at Chitora again as we have had many family gatherings there in the past - and I hope there will be many more to come.

Farmhouse teas are serious business for Paddy, David and Tim.

Séan, Karen and Margy relax in the garden at Chitora.

Elizabeth Coughlan