Here at last!

Travelling is not for the feint hearted these days! and we are seriously out of practice.

The weeks leading up to departure, and this next chapter, were dominated by some fairly monumental events - started with leaving work, a week later we exited the house having rented it out for the duration of our absence. To a lovely young couple who are relocating from the UK and needed a short term tenancy. We rented it fully furnished, but it was still a mission to pack stuff away and tidy and such like. And finally camping at Nick and Carolines for a week while we went through the final throes of trip packing.

Our plans to exit the country were somewhat overshadowed by the presence of covid, or rather the risk that we get covid, fail the PCR test and be unable to board the aircraft. This was a very real possibility given NZ is in the middle of the omicron contagion - the tactic now being to just let it run. Our relief when, 7 days out from our flight, the Zimbabwean government dropped the requirement for a negative PCR for entry into the country. It was still a very stressful journey - both of us so out of practice with flying, and going from 0 hrs flying in the last 3+ years, to 3 flights - 2hrs, 19hrs and 9hrs respectively was a re-baptism of fire. Spent much of the time, especially in the transits, stressing about all sorts of things, the final hurdle being the 2 hour wait for our bags to come through in Harare!! On account of only one vehicle and other long and complicated reasons that were badly explained. But they all came through, intact and complete. Relief.

The pleasure of further reunions was however delayed and overshadowed a few days later by the inevitability that, on such a long flight, one of us was likely to pick up covid. Which was me, so I kept a low profile in Harare for a week to allow it to run its course. It was very mild by all accounts, just a heavy head cold, but distressing none the less to have to deal with the curve ball right at the final hour and having to defer my flight to Bulawayo! It is good to have gotten it over and done with now though so alls well that ends well on that score.

However, unbeknownst to us there was still one last hurdle to cross before getting to Bulawayo. We turned up bright and early in Harare airport for the rescheduled flight to Bulawayo. there is one flight a day, at 6am. We were up an exiting the house by 3:30am, not willing to wait till 4am, and risking Something Going Wrong. The drive through the predawn darkness of Harare was eerie, no traffic, no people, our travel documents at the ready should we be stopped - there is still a curfew overnight in Zim, one of the covid protocols still in force, along with adorning ones chin, neck or forehead with a mask. Checkin was seamless, with the very helpful ground staff of FastJet, and my ticket allowed me premium Lounge Access. Unlimited tea, rather alluring scones (not, but a nice thought) and wifi. there was even a plane - having done these trips from Harare to anywhere in Zim, there is a very real possibility that anything can go wrong, from lack of a plane, to lack of control tower. With the result that many hours have been spent in these buildings, admiring the remnants of their former glory. We traipsed across the tarmac in the dramatic pre-dawn light, and it was all stations go. An inflight refreshment pack that would definitely warm the cockles of my husbands heart - a pack of biltong, a kitkat and cheesy biscuits! Finally Bulawayo was in sight. Except it was not. A thick blanket of cloud hung over the area like a heavy pall. In April!!? unheard of! We circled for ages, trying to see a way through, the pilot eventually just giving it a go and we descended into the grey soup. It was alarming - and I am not easily alarmed with all the flying in NZ. The pilots nerve eventually broke, he pulled the nose up and hit the accelerator. And we tracked back to Harare. for the traditional staycation at the airport. back to the lounge for more cups of tea, and avoided the muffins. Fastjet were at pains to ensure our delay was as pleasant as possible, providing all passengers with a wholesome meal of chicken and chips (albeit cold and soggy). A new plane did materialise (our one was despatched to Vic Falls) and we were off for our second attempt just after lunch. And we made it! What a pleasure Bulawayo is after the bustle and dirtiness of Harare. Though to be fair, Bullies is in the middle of the Trade Fair annual highlight and always attempts to spruce up for the occasion.

Am now sitting on the verandah at Glenmore, at very long last, Georgie on the couch next to me. Gardens have been inspected, so much to admire! And all the industry of living "life off the grid" that is the dream of so many in NZ, but a basic necessity here. And the trees, full of many many birdies, from scarlet chested sunbirds, to believe it or not, a spotted Eagle Owl! And that is just in the garden, out in the bush there is so many more, Tawny Eagles, Sparrow hawks, Giant Eagle Owls - my eyes are not used to seeing the smaller birds yet - #newglasses! but am practicing. I have found the resident legavuane (rock monitor) in the rockery, and had a snake fall out the tree just by us as we were BBQing the first night which was rather entertaining.

Jono arrived yesterday, having spent a few more days with Ruth in Harare and thrilled everyone by jumping in the pool! the temperature is a little below 20degrees which is freezing by Zimbabwean standards.

Tomorrow we depart on our first Trippette. This is to northern Namibia with our friend Mike Scott of #Khangelasafaris so watch this space!