Day 9

Despite being a Sunday, we were determined to be ready for our pick up today. And amazingly, at 8:30 everyone was all ready to go!

So we waited. And we waited. And no-one came! First time ever we were all ready to go and no-one there to appreciate it! But then, about 25 minutes later, Tammy arrived in a big hurry to take us to Hopewell. She had been busy carting people to and fro all morning, to take part in the second day of team building at the Lodge and had around 5 minutes to take us to the Barn, come back and pick someone else up from the staff village, and then return to the Lodge. We don't know for sure, but we don't think she made it. Still, this is Africa, and everything seems to happen at a very leisurely pace or in a mad frantic rush.

Once at the Barn, the first thing to do as always was go and check on the waterhole. We can definitely see the difference each and every day. It's more than a puddle, it's even more than two puddles! In fact, if there is such a thing, I would say it was a baby waterhole now!

Pleased that it was coming along so well, it was time to get on with some work in the Barn. Ines and Kira carried on ceiling the sealing struts...sorry...sealing the ceiling struts, looking more and more like extras in some weird horror/renovation flick, while Max and I got busy making cement for which to fill cracks. The fun element of filling cracks is beginning to fade now, and to be honest, and I'm a little worried for our sanity at this point...

It's probably not blood

Cememnting the cracks....

.....then cracking up!

All good, everything is fine, filling the cracks....

....then Bang! Before you know it,you've lost it big time

Lunchtime! A chilly ride back to our house couresty of Adolph to grab some grub. On the way, the madness seems to have left Max and transferred to Kira, who inexplicably begins rubbing her face into strange shapes with empty coke bottles, much to the obvious concern of her brother.

The afternoon was much of the same, but with a little less insanity and just getting on with it all, until the even chillier ride home, where we could start preparing our much looked forward to Braai we had planned for the evening, and to treating our special guest of honour, restaurant manager, Frankie to some rather good food. Lots of lovely lamb steaks and cheese, ham and tomato toasties, yum yum!

Cold nose, happy eyes, as they say. Or something like that.

Tis' the seasoning of good will

However, and not for the first time, our Braai plans were once again thwarted! But in a good way. As we were about to light up the Braai we were invited by Andrew, Catharina's right-hand man, who we hadn't met yet as he hadn't long returned from a few days away, to a communal Braai being held at the staff community centre. We waited for a while to give the just lit communal Braai time to turn into embers, then started to leave before Andrew returned and informed us that that Braai had now shifted to our next door neighbour's house because of the strong wind. What is it they say about plans of mice and men..?

It was apparent as we made the 20 metre journey that while it started as a Braai, it had turned very quickly into a full blown party. So, with no option other than to party, we partied! We met so many people, who were all very cool, and had a lot of interesting chats with all the partying Kuzuko members, especially with those we hadn't really been properly introduced to yet. Andrew was great company, interesting and entertaining, not only us the adults, but Max and Kira too. A really genuine guy who's concern for his team is both admirable and unfortunately, pretty rare among managers. He can not only to command the respect of his staff in work hours, but to be able to hang loose with them without them feeling in any way uncomfortable outside, which can be an almost impossible balancing act as a boss. Everyone loves him!

We had a fantastic time and ate some delicous nosh too. Kira was taught how to dance the African way, while Ines occasionally got busy strutting her stuff as well, while Max and I enjoyed watching the many games of dominoes. A game here that elicit such passion and excitement among the players we wondered if there was more to it than just simply matching some numbers on little beige bricks! Violently slamming the table in either joy or despair seems to play a large part!

The people we had such a great time with, and apologies to anyone who's name we have either missed or mispelt, were; Chuma (our neighbour), Adolph, Andrew, Joseph, Rodwell, Lorell, Melissa, Marusi, Frankie, Zito, Freddy, Elton, Jonathon, Oli, Keegan, Zander, Tinny, Wellington, and Malabungwey. It was also great to see Gerhard and Catharina there too, who came down for a while before Catharina had to jet off to Jo'burg early the next morning.

Ines and the kids left at a fairly respectable time, while I stayed for about an hour or so longer, fascinating all the smokers with my electronic cigarettes. I think (and hope) I may have converted a few from the dark side over to the light!

Lastly, I must say that the sense of family at Kuzuko is really very touching. I was struck by how everyone cares and looks out for each other, and all seem to genuinely feel part of a real family rather than just a bunch of people who just happen to work at the same place. That sense of belonging in a workplace, actively fostered and encouraged by Kuzuko, is one that I've never seen to that extent ever before, and our family feel incredibly honoured to be, at least temporarily, part of that family. Thank you one and all for not just the great time we had that night, but for our entire experience so far. You are all magnificent people.