Ice skating lessons

Oh dear, I seem to have missed a week. Anyway, life goes on regardless so I shouldn't worry.

That reminds me. When Scouts of the one and only Zimbabwe/Rhodesia Scout Contingent attended the Kristall Camp at Kandersteg in Switzerland in 1979, we had amongst our number an aged Scouter by the name of "Gerry" Stephens.

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Now "Gerry" was quite a character. At seventy-six years of age he would often regale us with one of his many stories. Well, not all of his stories were of the past, for he was as sharp as a pin or if you like as bright as a button. When in Greece, "Gerry" discovered a new toy in the form of "Worry Beads". Now, this toy was quite simple in design for all it consisted of was a lace with twenty-five beads threaded on it and the ends were passed through one of the beads that acted as a sort of woggle so preventing the beads from coming off the lace and from going round and round the lace circle.

I should know, as I still have mine and I have just counted the beads, all blue ones at that and I can assure you that there are twenty-five. If I was cheated, and there should have been more beads, then I will have to write to the Minister of Industry in Greece and demand an apology together with compensation for mental stress that I have suffered over all these years.

If I am lucky, I could be classed as one of the many "Chefs" that have a 110% mental disability and get a handsome disability pension not to mention all the other perks. But I digress. "Gerry" bought a set of worry beads and he was for ever fumbling with them, counting each bead and as he did so he said whatever was on his mind. It was hilarious watching him, for he would make up the most amazing problems and then "worry" over them.

Those of you who went on the Jamboree, I am sure you will remember old "Gerry" and his worry Beads. I guess you still have yours and that they are just about worn out by now. Now, I have just had a brilliant idea, in fact I could make millions of dollars, no on second thought, billions of dollars, Zimbabwean naturally. Not difficult, as all I have to do is make a few sets of "worry beads" and then market them. Imagine the sales pitch, "Buy one of these worry beads and your worries will disappear". No shortage of worries in our present situation thanks to our government who give them out liberally each day and as every purchase is now concluded with the payment of billions of dollars, wow! I will be a billionaire on my first sale.

Mmmm... I might have a few new worries of my own when customers come gunning for me when their worries don't disappear. I think I will give that brilliant idea a miss.

It was Park weekend, what is different? But, yes it was different for I was "alone at the Park", as all my Impies had some other commitment. I managed to get quite a good deal done over the two days. But, I won't bore you with the details this week other than to say that some more long outstanding jobs were seen to and can now be crossed off of the list of things to do on a rainy day.

Of special interest, Mr. Jack Frost put in an appearance at the Park last week. Silently as a thief in the night he came. Not a whisper on the still night air and zap he struck. Unknown by him he was observed, so he did not quite get away with his cool mission, for sitting silently in his observation tower, Mr. Thermometer recorded his icy cold presence. Down, down, down went Mr. Thermometers silver blood until it stopped at 30 degrees F.

Now the result of all this, was that some more leaves on the trees shriveled up and came floating down to earth. In time they will make a good compost for the new generation of seedlings to grow into giant trees that will some day beautify the Park.

Not all is lost. But, one immediate pleasure is that skating lessons are being given for those adventurous chicks, err the feathered variety in case you gents are thinking of invading the Park to ogle at "the Chicks", to delight in our winter sports. They came in droves to the bird bath, skidded and swerved as they touched down on the icy surface of the frozen water in the tub, and fell off over the edge. Plop! Oh what fun they had until the ice melted and the fun stopped. However, winter has still one week to go and so we may just have another icy morning, where all can enjoy the winter sports for a second time.

Sunday morning was warm, I didn't have to put on a jacket, so it must have been warm. Africa. The land we so love. Bursting with romance, with agony, with hope, adventure, of friendly smiling faces, of cruelty and despair. A mix in the African pot. Ah! for Africa.

See you here some day.
Cheers Norman
Bulawayo, 17 June 2008