Author Archives: memoirsofahusk
Never mind minorities, what about the half?
It’s a routine introduction from the announcer, except for the words: ‘… all-male final …’ I’m about to watch University Challenge. It’s the final final. There’s been a blizzard of quarters and semis – felt like the fractions had mutated … Continue reading
Of blue pens and high hopes
The village high street’s heaving and the wine bar’s been full a good while now. But it’s not yet ten o’clock. In the morning. A pudgy coach rolls its girth down the road, huffs and puffs into a parking place … Continue reading
An un-diplomatic incident, a dead motor & a perilously pregnant woman
The men who go for water don’t make it back till after dark. My ‘kitchen’ – the back of their vehicle – is covered in bits of charcoal and running with water. But never mind. I rustle up another macaroni … Continue reading
In which bravery is rewarded with a carrot, but not a pear
It rained in the night. What is it about us? This is August, the southern hemisphere’s winter, the dry season. It seems wherever we venture in the Northern Province we act as rain-bringers. Last time it was at a rock … Continue reading
Naked bathers, stone tools, the eleventh tuna sandwich and the last straw
Rising with the sun I slide out of our tent feet first, past the sailcloth ‘Ratbags’ containing all our (present) worldly goods. At the far end of the campsite stand three women, calling at us. They lapse into silence and … Continue reading
An historic surrender, the last flushing loo and Custard with charcoal
November 1918. The end of the war to end all wars. Would that it had been so. We’re heading to Mbala. In 1918 Mbala was called Abercorn. The town was – is – close to the border between Northern Rhodesia … Continue reading
A spot of welding, a leopard and a mission
He’s looking worried. It was meant to be an overnight stop – but there’s no way we’ll fit everything in and reach Kalambo in time to pitch camp by daylight. We have to stay another night, but not at Thorn … Continue reading
MEMOIRS OF A HUSK 