Here in Darkest Africa a new storm is emerging. The ANC is splitting in South Africa and a new and very powerful Opposition being formed under the name of the “South African Democratic Congress”. Excellent for democracy and a boot in the pants for a party that was becoming very one party state. It will be very interesting to see what happens in the coming months. If they unite with the other opposition parties anything could happen in April 09.

Out there in that big bad world things seem to be changing; now that BO has won against JM, I guess we won't be seeing a lot of SP, she ain’t bad looking!! I’'ll vote for her in 2012! I know – MEN! Well, we'’ve got to have something. The Markets – well, not really my forte. Only that Britain may invade Iceland to get their billions of Pounds back! However if Iceland invaded England, there would be no army to fight them as they are all overseas saving some other Country. They may even be sent to the DRC – sorry, have those Politicians got any Brains! Milliband, the Foreign Secretary (Looks like a lost Schoolboy!), trying to fly the Flag in the DRC. Leave it to the Africans, as that is what they keep saying – “Let Africans solve African Problems”! Let them get on with it. All this nonse about them not having any money; look in the bank accounts of the Leaders and you will find it there.

Down here in sunny Garonga we have been tested to the limit with extreme hot days and nights. 52 degrees was the highest and it only dropped to about 30 at night! The warties are dying, and those that are’nt are looking very poor. We had a good month with 67% occupancy in Safari Camp and 25% in Little Garonga. It was great to welcome back Richie ( an old Buddy from …. Those days, yes!), although this time he came with his Fiancee, Danka, her sister Dudu and his Sister Alison. All for a great occasion – Richie and Danka’s wedding at Little Garonga. It went off very well indeed and was a great day. Congratulations to you both! A warm welcome back to Mark and Sandy with Kids in tow. They arrived at the Garonga gate just as I was cutting a chain lock put on our Gate by our friendly nieghbour (that’s another story). Also to Johann who brought over some Guests from UK. Although those on Honeymoon – congratulations! And finally but by no means least to PJ and Lisa – he went down on bended knee ( I think – I wasn’t there you see), and proposed on the Sleep Out Deck! It does have its majical spell that deck! Now our friendly neighbor decided to take the law into his own hands and try and restrict our access. It was a temporary glitch and we did have alternative route whilst the Lawyers got their act together and submitted my application to Court. Only to say that the Courts instructed him to provide immediate access or else. So there we are despite him saying “You will have to find an alternative route for the next 3 years….” And that the application would “Not carry”. Oh well, there you have it – a bit of a dickhead really! I suppose he was bored or maybe foresaw England beating South Africa in Rugby in two weeks time! No need to take it out on me mate! So, even petty politics here as well.

On the Bush and Game front, we did get 6mm of rain! It has been blinding hot and building up for the storm of note. So everything still parched dry. The safari teams have been excellent – 4 leopard sightings in a week! They are becoming much more relaxed to vehicles now which is excellent news. On a very sad note however “Kwatile”, the Mother of all matriarchs (those who have been here will remember she only had one tusk and she was always the aggressive one, and so lots of respect was given to her by all); anyway she died at the age of 55 years. She will be sadly missed by the teams. The day after she died a large herd was seen running across the front of the Camp Waterhole trumpeting and really causing a lot of noise and alarm. THEY MUST HAVE KNOWN! It is incredible how they work. Kwatile had cut herself off from the Herd about 3 weeks before. Now her daughter has taken over and appears to be very much in command as Matriarch; just like her Mum. Here’s to you old Girl. I know Audrey who has been working with the Ellies since the reserve almost began for the Contraception programme will have lost an old and dear friend.

The Garonga Cheetah are finally in the Boma. They are 2.5 years old and Brothers. They appear very relaxed. I have called them “Purdey” and “Browning” – Your guess! The collars were donated by kellogs as in Rice krispies, but sorry am NOT going to be calling them “Snap” Crackle and so on. These are mean killing machines. It’s a bit like calling Martin Johnston – Doris; but from very far away! Anyway we’ll keep them in and feed and water them (not a bad life eh), and release some time in December. It may be a bit zoo-like but those who are coming here and wish to see the feeding, you are more than welcome. However I only have 42 Employees and they have been in now for 3 weeks almost. The disciplinaries have dropped dramatically since they arrived!

On the Scoff front all is going well. A sad farewell to Annabel who left on the 17th October 08. Her food and training was second to none and you will be sadly missed. However plenty for the chefs to be now copying and following up on. Those health Options are still proving very popular as are the “Truckers Breakfasts” with a gallon of hybrid tea! As usual we will be attaching a recipe. Is anybody trying them?

November looks pretty busy as well. December we have lots of space leading up to Jingle Bells, and also one room left between Jingle and the New year! Well you keep well. Off to Mud island for a few days in November to reminisce with Old Chums.

This newsletter is dedicated to Bert Henshaw (An old and Bold Green Jacket) who will be fondly remembered by many Green Jackets, not least to speaking his mind to people at the top. Here’s to you Bert. Keep looking down on those Riflemen and look after them as you did when you were in Uniform!

Garonga Recipe

Moist banana loaf

Moist banana loaf (monthly recipe done) 125g Butter
1tsp Vanilla essence
½ cup Castor sugar
2 Eggs
1½cup Banana, mashed
1½cup Self-raising flour
1tsp Bicarbonate of soda
1tbs Milk

Grease 14cmx21cm loaf pan, cover base with baking paper. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl of an electric mixer, beat on low until Ingredients are combined. Then beat on medium until mixture changes colors
Spread mixture into prepared pan
Bake in moderate oven for about 1 hour
Cool on a wire rack.

“The spirit cannot endure the body when overfed, but, if underfed, the body cannot endure the spirit.” St Frances de Sales