Sussex - UK & Livingstone - Zambia

This week passed in a blur, our first priority was to take on a new letting agent, after the debacle of the Little's leaving we had decided to get rid of Leaders. However, we had little time to deliberate over whom we should use next. In the end we decided to instruct two agents and let them fight it out, the prize being whoever found new tenants first would also win the management contract.

Although we had hoped to see as many people as possible while we were in the UK sadly in the end we managed just one night out with a group of friends and dinner with some neighbours. I had also hoped to get a round of golf in but that was a non starter as well. All too soon we were off to Heathrow to catch our flight back to Livingstone, after this week we were in dire need of a rest!

Our last day in the UK should have been a relaxed affair but we spent the morning rushing about doing the last bits and bobs. In the week we had managed to find a gardener so he came around to chat over what we wanted him to do, we hoped by taking him on the garden would not be in so bad a state the next time we came back.

Our final tasks were to rush round to the two letting agents to deliver instruction letters together with a set of keys then onto a neighbour to drop off the Citroen before heading off to Heathrow to start our journey back to Africa.

By now we were knackered but still had to face an overnight flight to Joburg followed by a three hour stopover before catching the onward flight to Livingstone. We were due to arrive in Livingstone around midday the following day so we were in for a long journey, anyone who thinks dropping everything to live overseas is a doddle should think again, it's hard work but in the end it's well worth it.

As it was the flight was not too bad and we arrived in Livingstone reasonably fresh. Sue, from Jollyboys, was waiting to take us to the hostel, which was welcomed as we hadn't fancied grabbing a taxi. Sue was accompanied by her sister and her family who were out from the UK and they were eager to tell us how much they were enjoying their first visit to Africa.

Nick, from Foleys Garage, had delivered Rupert to Jollyboys the day before and it was great to see the Landy again and to find it was in good shape, it was a real help to know he was safe while we were away, thanks Nick for all your help.

Once again we had entered Zambia on a Jollyboys visa waiver package so the first thing we did was enjoy a complimentary cold Mosi beer at the bar. The place was even busier than when we were here in July so it was just as well we had booked a room before we left.

Apart from the usual backpackers and overland truckers there was a young couple, Marcus and Tanya, from Switzerland who like us were driving themselves around Africa. After getting married they were taking a year out to travel around the world and had picked up an old Toyota Landcruiser in South Africa. So far they had driven up to Livingstone via Botswana, Namibia etc and wanted to see a bit of Zambia before they headed back to Cape Town, via Mozambique, from where they would then fly back to Switzerland.

They couldn't spend too long in Zambia but they were not sure where to go. We had a loose plan but would not be rushing off for awhile as we needed to stock up with provisions then do a bit of sight seeing before heading northwards as it would be a good while before we were back in this neck of the woods.

It would be Sue's birthday in two days time, last year we had spent the week before sitting day and night at her Mum's bedside as she lay dying from cancer. Peggy had died two days before Sue's birthday and three days before her own birthday so obviously Sue had not even thought about celebrating her birthday, she didn't even open her cards, so this year I really wanted to make up for that.

However, sods law yet again we had arrived on the eve of a public holiday and couldn't do any shopping so we spent the day cleaning out Rupert and re-packing all the stuff which normally sits in the cab but which we had packed away in the back box for security reasons.

All the while people were coming and going from Jollyboys, in the afternoon a new family appeared on the scene.  Ashley, Claire and their four kids had travelled all the way from their home in Wales in 110 Defender which was incredible as their vehicle is 17" shorter than ours which doesn't sound much but makes quite a difference and we thought we were pushed for space!

Ash and Claire had taken their four kids (all under 12) out of school for the year and were now on their way to South Africa via Botswana and Namibia and their flight back to the UK. Their journey had taken them through Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and East Africa all in the 110 so we had to take our hats off to them!

You can read about their adventures at  http://www.enterpriseafrica.org.uk