Zambia World Wide

I then I subsequently became side-tracked by marriage and eventually had a baby in tow. Then a glorious opportunity arose! My then husband decided we should leave South Africa and head for Northern Rhodesia as he had seen a post advertised in our local paper. The salary was more than double he currently earned. For me this was not quite the travel destination I had in mind with London, Paris, Rome … still floating around in my thoughts. But as the idea of Central Africa became established I soon realised that this was indeed part way to those other places. The sense of adventure I was born with and which had led me from tree climbing and other tomboyish activities to that of adventurous rebellion, soon had me in its grip.

Job secured, husband in the company of three dogs and four cats, boarded the train from Grahamstown station, bound for Kitwe. The journey took a week with animal feeding being done by hopping from the carriage to the guard’s van when the train stopped at stations. At some point between Lusaka and Kapiri Mposhi, the animals could not be found. This caused a delay of some considerable time with the unloading of goods and chattels, chickens and charcoal onto the station platform. They were eventually located, having been buried under said items now on the platform … There was nothing but praise for the staff who were insistent that they be found – otherwise they would be deemed to not be doing their duty and so, their honour would be at stake. Ah, those must indeed be the ‘good old days’ in many ways …

I meanwhile, sojourned with my parents from October to December 1963, and then flew to Johannesburg to overnight with friends. I was to board a charter flight on Trek Airways, a somewhat dubious side-kick of an unknown and forgotten airline. On checking the flight for the next day, I found they had cancelled this and would operate it a week later. In those days communication was not what it is today. No fool proof telephone link, no e-mails but the sending of a telegram system was in operation as was, I am sure if paid enough, runner with left stick! I managed somehow to convey the delay.

I did not enjoy the flight. I remember this absolutely as it sticks in my mind as a complete blur. Port of entry was Livingstone. We exited the ‘plane and the humidity hit me like a sledgehammer. The ‘if you wait long enough, you’ll eventually be processed’ became proof of a very large pudding, one we all know so well. The baby literally threw up all over me and you can imagine the delight of the other passengers as I boarded a smaller aircraft for the onward flight to Ndola.