Some of the finer things in life

One thing I really look forward to whenever I am back is being hosted by our friends the Williams'. Whether it is fine wines, French cheese, Brazilian coffee, single malt whiskys, the best of classical music, the Williams have it...

During our poker game last week, Matthew, brought out his 21st present which was a bottle of 1987 Meerlust, cabernet sauvignon (see link below). I couldn't even try to be a wine connoisseur, but it really was brilliant. After maturing for over 20 years, what else would you expect? We then tasted a selection of other wines from that period. One only had about 5 minutes to drink the wine, as it was oxidizing so quickly after all those years in the bottle. One was corked-something new I learn't from Roger is that corked means there is a virus in the cork.

Anyway, we continued our game, of which I managed to regain my $5, but lost out on a potential $40!







http://www.meerlust.com/index.php/meerlust-rubicon-1987.html

Mozambique-09/10

Mozambique is an amazing, but unfortunate country. Almost exactly double the size of Zimbabwe, it is one of the poorest states in the world. It has access to the coast, very fertile land, and brilliant opportunities for tourism-why is it so poor?

I put three reasons-one, colonisation: whilst Zimbabwe and other states benefited hugely from British colonialism, in the form of infrastructure, industry and agriculture, and also a very well organized administration system, the Portuguese colonised Mozambique. One can see just from driving through the country, how disorganized the Portuguese were-houses scattered all over the place, and little sound infrastructure, agriculture and industry.

Linked to this is the second reason, the civil war which raged from 1977 to 1992 between Frelimo and Renamo. This resulted in any expertise to leave the country, many deaths, and of course, huge damage to the economy.

Thirdly, the climate. Being tropical, Mozambique is extremely hot, and because of its low altitude, is very prone to mosquitos and malaria. I feel this plays a massive part in the undevelopment of the country.

So, how to fix it? Eradicate malaria, promote agriculture as an economic base, and open the Beira corridor to the port. In other words, big investment-and I feel there is huge potential, particularly in agriculture.

The eight days spent in Mozambique was fantastic. Maybe it is only unique, to Africa, perhaps I am wrong, but personally, I lose complete sense of time when on holiday in Africa. You put a cossie on in the morning, which is usually about 6.30am when the sun is already burning hot, and all day is spent, boating and tubing, sitting next to the pool with a beer and a book, chatting to mates, or whizzing across to Paradise Island for lunch. It really is relaxation and so important I feel, to completely clear your head and rercharge the batteries for another semester, work etc.

New year was on the beach, and co-incided with a brilliant full moon, and partial eclipse-perhaps this means a good year, or decade for Africa? Time will tell...

Christmas

I left London on 21st December and due to a short delay, it meant I missed the connection flight from Nairobi to Harare. This meant having to stay in Nairobi the night and missed Alistair's 25th party which was a shame! Anyway, they did put us in a 5 star hotel and had a good afternoon of swimming and sitting by the bar drinking Tuskers with some other stranded passengers. I always find it interesting who you meet on flights. On this occasion, a member of the famous 'Leakey' family who discovered human archaelogical remains in Kenya/Tanzania; the president of Cambridge Uni rowing club, Tony Blair's right hand man, and Emma's ex's brother!

Last Christmas I swore I would never fly Kenya airways again, however, I did, and alas, our bags got stranded at the airport for a couple of days. Nairobi airport must be the worst airport I have ever been to! Disoganized, crowded, hot, delays, lost baggage......

Anyway, finally got back home, and we went to Ruwa to Cathy and Alistair's farm for Christmas eve which was really enjoyable.

Christmas day was at our house, where we had a late supper/lunch, followed by Boxing Day at our house with the Brown family, our longtime family friends. 27th at Roger and Nona's for the 60th, and 28th we went to Mozambique!