Pipe Dream

As I guessed what could happen a couple of weeks ago, happened. We had another cold week at the Park this last week. As I only take readings at weekly intervals, I can not give an exact day as to when the lowest or highest temperature was. All I can say, is that the night of Saturday 28th June was very cold, with not a breath of wind.

I can testify to that as I had stayed out at the Park that night. The lowest temperature recorded was 26 degrees Fahrenheit, that is 6 degrees below zero. OK, not so cold compared to winter temperatures in many countries around the world, but for us on the highveld of Zimbabwe, that is cold. When I awoke on Sunday morning, there was a distinct nip in the air, so I rushed out to look at the water in the bird baths. The water in both of them was frozen. The skiing lessons for the "chicks" could resume.

This weekend I was alone at the Park for a very good reason, for the run off of the Presidential election had been held on the Friday and not many people wanted to move around over the weekend. As you are well aware, Zimbabwe's political atmosphere is currently highly charged, so I did not think it wise to invite any of my Scouts to accompany me. All I will say, is that thankfully it was a peaceful weekend, but very disappointing on the political front.

Times are tough, but now they will be worse. Well, being "Alone at the Park" I was able to get on with a number of tasks unfortunately this included doing my own cooking. First off, it was the usual routine matters of settling in and then to start on the projects of the weekend. Sounds like 'soup of the day', doesn't it?

I had on the Friday, prepared at home on my wood working machines, some timber for the framing of next year's signboard commemorating our Scouting Centenary. I busied myself on the Saturday with making the signboard that will be hung up on the gate by the Leask. I still have to paint it once I have decided on a background colour and then when I have settled on a logo, to paint that onto the board.

Sunday was taken up with the continuation of a project that I had started three years ago and then put on hold pending the renewal of our lease for the Park. I am referring to a new water main from the storage tanks to the Headquarter complex. This new line is necessary to replace a section of the old steel pipe that has corroded resulting in the water having a rusty taste. Not harmful, but not a nice taste when drinking. Thankfully it is not noticeable when used to brew tea or other cooking.

When I had suspended work, the new pipeline had reached as far as the Rough store. Now I need to continue with digging the trench and lay the pipe from behind the Rough to the kitchen door, where I intend to connect the new line into the existing reticulation system.

Well, by the time I left the Park only half of the trench had been dug.The slow progress was due in the main to locating existing pipelines and the electricity cable from the generator to the Stables.The remaining portion will be dug by Adam this week.

Hopefully after our hike next weekend, I will be able to lay the new line. The connection into the existing line and the blocking off of that section of the old line I am replacing, will be done the following weekend. All very exciting for our new crop of Scouts who will be able to learn some other aspects of Scouting experienced by so few.

Then there is another outstanding project to undertake, but you will have to wait awhile to find out what else we have been up to in "The Heart of Scouting".

Cheers Norman
Bulawayo, 2 July 2008