"Fathers Day" - a new Public Holiday - was declared
officially very late - so much so that most staff did in fact
report for duty on 20th June, 2005. It was decided
that the best routine was to have a Father's Day drink - all staff
to have the day off - but before departing we decided that a few
photos should be taken to record the new holiday! This photo shows
four female workers holding a notice board!
December 12, 2005. Our builder Patrick Moyo had found that
three pillars of the walkway needed attention. These were -
originally - the last three distant pillars before a major extension
was set up some three years ago. Essentially they need to be
opened up - through to the central railway line pin extending deep
into the sand substrate - then the pillars being resettled down
using water pumps and power hoses.
This photo shows the concrete slabs removed - together with the old
railway lines (marked BCA - 'British Central Africa 1904') and
sleepers. Some sleepers are endorsed 'SHR 1905' - the old
'Shire Highlands Railway' - before the application of the name 'Nyasaland'
to what we now know as modern-day Malawi. We wonder
whether modern high-technology could make long-lasting items like
these old colonial relics!
Patrick the builder at his best... Perched on a pillar - doing
his stuff in his usual systematic and careful way - no fuss - no
bother... The garden staff can be seen in the water -
handling these heavy concrete slabs is unpleasant work - easy to get
fingers or feet crushed. Lake looks empty of boats - Lord
Justin and Sandra Lane are both at Chipoka - see pages 4 and 5 of
"Activities" with photos & narrative.
