Backyard Beauties

I know I keep on saying it but we are just amazed at how much beauty we are surrounded with when you start looking. Here are a few photos Pierre took on Sunday in our backyard. Fabulous, don't you agree?

Fresh Produce

Check out these mushrooms, fresh from the veld! They really come in all sizes and colours around here. The large one above is edible and great grilled on the BBQ or panfried in garlic butter. Pierre cooked us some served on toast for dinner tonight.

Where Are We?

Lumwana is located in the North Western Province of Zambia, 220 km northwest of the Copperbelt and 65 km west of the town of Solwezi (our closest shopping facility) and close to the southern border of the DRC and the eastern border of Angola. Lumwana is easily accessed by the T5 Northwest Highway. The Copperbelt, one of the world's greatest concentrations of copper-cobalt deposits, has been a centre of commercial copper production for 80 years. The Northwest Highway, which links the Lumwana region, Solwezi and the Copperbelt, passes within 3km of the mine project. The Government has completed a highway upgrade as far as Solwezi and has committed to extend the upgrade to Lumwana. The Government has also completed the construction of a 330KV power line to Solwezi which will be extended to Lumwana. Apart from Lumwana, Equinox controls 100% of prospective tenements covering 19,300 km2, located predominantly in North Western Zambia and on the Copperbelt, referred to as the Zambezi Project. Equinox controls extensive ground positions over 3 of the 4 mineralized ‘domes’ in Zambia. Because our closest shopping facilities are quite far, we are well looked after by ATS (Allterrain Services) who supplies us with fruit, veggies, meat, dairy, groceries, drinks, cleaning products, etc on site. Whatever they don't have in stock, they try to source for us from either Solwezi, Kitwe, Lusaka or Johannesburg. Just remember, if you ever visit site, you cannot arrive without a little something - wine, champers, chocolates, biltong, cheese, etc are all very welcome. See you soon! (Information and map courtesy of Equinox Minerals www.equinoxminerals.com).

Bird Watching

We went to the dam yesterday late afternoon. Unfortunately I don't have any photos to post but for those of you who are interested in bird watching, these are the birds we saw there (Afrikaans names in brackets) :

• Hamerkop (Hamerkop)
• Little Grebe - also known as Dabchick (Kleindobbertjie)
• Kingfisher - it was either the Grey-Headed (Gryskopvisvanger) or Brown-Headed (Bruinkopvisvanger) - we're not sure
• Pied Kingfisher (Bontvisvanger)
• Malachite Kingfisher (Kuifkopvisvanger)
• African Jacana (Grootlangtoon)
• Yellow-Billed Duck (Geelbekeend)
• African Black Duck (Swarteend)
• Great White Egret (Grootwitreier)
• African Darter (Afrikaanse Slanghalsvoel)

I'm also lucky enough to see a lot of birds at home because the houses are right on the edge of the forest. Next time, I'll list the birds I usually see from my kitchen window.

Wedded Bliss - Episode One

Henk and Rachelle is getting married on 2 December. Hopefully they'll permit me to publish a wedding photo or two at a later stage. For the time being, here is Henk on the night of his Lumwana "rampartytjie" lovingly orchestrated by his colleagues. They dressed him in egg, flour, honey and by the looks of it, some beer. Quite civilised I think but Henk's version is that they totally abused him. To show his appreciation (or was it revenge), he dished out a few hugs afterwards - which explains why Pierre smelled like raw egg when he got home. I feel sorry for Henk because he has another party with all the family and friends awaiting him on his return to SA - pole sana Boet! Don't worry Rachelle, I'm sure he'll be recovered from all the partying before the big day.

Hairy Deal

Out here a professional haircut is just not an option. So what's the next best thing? You ask one of your mates to cut your hair for you. There are obviously a few basic rules to follow. Number one (and most importantly) make sure you schedule the hair cut right after work - when you know the "hairdresser" has not yet had time to have a beer or ten. Number two - you have to be brave - these "bush cuts" are not for "sissies". Number three - be prepared to cope with rude comments and everything else that may go with it on your next public appearance. Number four - if you had a decent cut this time, don't assume that it will be the same next time around. Number five - try and schedule the cut as far away as possible of your next time going out on leave - at least if it was a bad one, you should have grown back some of it (or you might be mistaken for someone on a "most wanted" list). Here Henk is the brave one with Pierre doing the cutting. Pierre is actually a trained hand at this type of thing. When we lived in Geita, he used to trim and colour my hair and even did my (and Antie Poppie's) lashtints. That was in the days before Leonie moved to site - without having a choice, she ended up being the resident hairdresser and beautician. Leonie - where are you!!!

Little Treasures

Pierre and I love walking in the forest - there is so much to see and enjoy. Here are some of the little treasures we came across on a recent walk outside the camp.

Branching Out

Here is a little glimpse into our surroundings - we are so blessed!

(In case you can't figure it out, this is a tree branch beautifully decorated by nature).

Boardwalk

Things are starting to happen in our street. The guys built pathways (or should I call it boardwalks) to the houses on Friday. Soon we will be able to start gardening - if only the topsoil would arrive!

Here are photos of the building process. I asked them to keep the tree stump at my front door - it is now adourned with a rain meter and will soon also be sporting a No 5.

Learning the Ropes

One day I might tell you more about Henk but for now just know, he's a bit of a dare devil. Now Darren you could probably call "nutty" (although Tanya just calls him "strange"). Darren loves snakes (and I mean really loves snakes). So this little slicker made his way into our camp but unfortunately for him, did not get very far before he was caught. He spent the night in a safe place with the aircon at full blast (which made him a bit more "accessible" the next morning) and was released outside the village back into more familiar surroundings. Henk decided that he wants to also learn how to handle snakes so here he is caught on camera charming the snake in his sunglasses. Darren, we are happy to have you around! I'm sure there are many more snake photos to come.

Helping Hands

Timothy and Jessy are both Zambians employed by ATS. They are looking after the 5 houses (and its occupants) to ensure that all our needs are taken care of - from cleaning and laundry to grocery requirements, special requests, etc. Without them, us "home executives" would not have such an easy life. Thanks Timo and Jess (and the ATS guys -Jules, Dave, Robbie and David) - for all your efforts. It is much appreciated.

Peaceful Sleep

This is where we usually enjoy a peaceful night's sleep (that is if the squirrels aren't having a party on the roof!). Doesn't the mosquito net remind you of a romantic weekend at a game lodge? The houses have 2 single beds in the second bedroom and another single bed in the 3rd bedroom. Our second bedroom has been converted to a guest room with a double bed so Spannie & Elsa - we're waiting - your room is ready.

The Cons Camp Houses

Here are a few photos of the houses in the Cons(truction) Camp. It's not Buckingham Palace but really, who needs a state room? We live in House 5. We have an amazing world of bird life right at the back door as well as squirrels, bushbabies and all the not so welcome creepy crawleys that unfortunately is part of bush life. Hopefully I'll be able to post some photos of these later. For now you'll have to be happy with the view of the trees at the back of our house. This is, after all, where all the action is.

Lounging Around

The houses are spacious, comfortable and modern and decked out with all the furniture and appliances we need. The lounge, dining and kitchen areas are all open plan, bright and airy.

Checking out the Neighbours?

Each house has an enclosed verandah where we often enjoy a sundowner or dinner and of course check out the neighbours. At the moment though, it also does duty as the storeroom but hopefully we'll soon have a shed or something where we can store the beer cases, bicycles and garden tools.