Botswana - Zimbabwe

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We're now in Botswana. 

We crossed the border late last night / early this morning at Mafiking. We were advised that the emigration authorities might want to put faces to passports, that they might awaken us. They did not but this a.m. many passengers complained about the 'racket' caused by the officials in the corridors. I didn't hear a thing! I was awoken later with the train swinging from right to left and my tummy didn't feel so well! However, thankfully I fell asleep again quickly. 

Last evening, we went to the observation deck for an aperitif before dinner. Dinner is formal - men must wear a tie for dinner. The passengers are most interesting -all very well travelled.  We met Tim, from UK - a very interesting man, who was an intelligence officer in the Royal  Marines, stationed in Malta, where he met his lovely wife Rita. He later qualified as a solicitor and on hearing that I was a barrister, he quipped that he hoped there was  an estate agent on board so that we wouldn't be at the bottom of the pecking order!! We also met two Scottish couples,  The train's capacity is 72. There are 55 on board - 50% from the UK at 21 Rand to £, it's nothing to them but for the South African couple, whom we met earlier at the  station, it was the equivalent of two months salary for a well paid South African - the Rand is at an all time low! Of course, we are  the only Irish couple and there are two Portuguese couples but they are bankers in Madagascar. It is the first time that  I have met Portiuguese abroad.  

At 1930hrs, the gong rang for dinner and we repaired to the dining room. There are two but one is vintage and definitely recalls the great days of the railways , the other is not quite as old.  Again 5 courses with an accompanying wine with each  course.  After diinner, we repaired to the lounge - there are three on the train - for a digestif. Again we chatted with our fellow passengers - I'm trying to meet them all before I alght at Vic Falls!! ( of coarse in your interests dear reader).

Botswana is a remarkable country. It is said it is the best area in Africa for Safari. It's area includes the Kalahari desert and the Okavango Delta. Today we have travelled through towns such as Serule, Francestown to the border with Zimbabwe at Plumtree. We have traversed the Fringe of the Kalahari  desert en route to the Falls. 

We breakfasted, went to the observation deck as the desert stretched out before us as far as the eye could see. 

After lunch, we were  told to be ready to visit Wayside Farm. 

A string of Rovis Rail jeeps collected us from the train and took us to the farm where we were given a briefing on a particular type of cattle developed to cope with the climate. The farm has been in the family for five generations and what was once  a maize  and cotton producing farm is now devoted to cattle ( especially bred for the arid conditions, due to climate change. 

We were then brought around the vast farm, where we saw an eagle's nest, a condor and numerous giraffes. 

There's a golf coarse on the farm - fancy s game girls in 32•C ? 

We repaired to the watering hole, where various Botswanan delicacies, teas coffees and alcoholic beverages of choice were served, as we gazed out on the beautiful sunset. Later on our return to the train, we saw the giraffes at the watering hole- they had obviously waited for the humans to depart. 

As we arrived at the train, the staff were lined up to serve the aperitif of our choice    It was now 1800hrs and dinner was at 1930 so we just had time to dress for dinner. Dinner is formal and gentlemen must wear ties. 

We shared our table with the SA couple, of German origin whom I mentioned earlier They are a delight and explain the trials, tribulations and benefits of living in SA. 

After dinner, we graced the Observation deck , where most people congregate after dinner for a chat and a digestif. Tonight, a Scottish couple, Harry and Evelyn, whom we had shared our lunch table with,  were in conversation with a SA couple. Evelyn said she had heard our ongoing train plans are in jeopardy. We admitted that they were. The manager had contacted Zambian railways, who informed him that the Jubilee train from Livingston to Lusaka had changed its schedule. It was now running on Friday and Sunday - we had a choice spend 6 hours in Victoria Falls and take the Jubilee train, wait til Friday or take the bus The latter is our only option. 

We are taking the Tanzara from  Lusaka,  to Dar Es Salaam  The SA couple had done it and gave a none too glowing report It sounds hellish and for two nights !! Evelyn told us that the train manager told her that he is worried about us!! They suggested I fly home from Vic or fly to Dar - I'm tempted! !!!