Where to Invest $1m - If I had $1m to invest.... where would I invest it now?

I posted this question on various groups in my linked in... and got some interesting ideas. I hope that this would interest you. It would be great to get your comments

Have an awesome 2010!!


Bob Di Cerbo

A recent (2009) New York Times article states that “If you can find the right film executives, people who consider themselves fiduciaries more than producers, it (investing in a present day independent movie) is one of the best bets you can make right now.”

David M Brockes

Might I suggest your future; actually all of our future to some degree.
We are a small R&D Company that has developed a new high efficiency Hydrokinetic Water Current Energy System to produce Electricity from moving water. Fully submerged, 100% Environmentally and Marine friendly; scalable to needs dependent upon velocity of water flow. Highly productive from 5kW to 450kW each unit. 1000's of miles of existing Canals and Channels where systems can be installed without added costs. Looking at ROI's of 10 to 15 months, high rate of return for as long as you stay with us.
System also does Water Purification, Irrigation or Industrial Pumping or we will be able to do Desalination with a little more work.
Also branching out into Solar and will soon offer a Solar Panel that will have 41% certifiable efficiency and cost less than panels available today. Home owners and Businesses will actually have a true and reasonable ROI.
So do you want a real return on your money and put it to work for all of mankind? Would like very much to talk with you if your interested.

Shu Ge

I would suggest on property. Two cities in China are good choices: Nanjing in Jiangsu province and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province.

Nuong Doan

There are wide range of areas in Vietnam market if you want to invest
RE (office building, apartment, hotel, commercial center...)
Securities
Private Equity ( M&A...)

vipin kumar

Would you be interested in private equity seed funding in India? 30X return on your investment is available.

Rick Lange

I would suggest for a million dollars to do a few bridge investments for companies who could benefit from it. I have seen the interest rates range from 10-20% with warrants on a 6 month loan. Collateralize by asset of the company or a PG from an owner. The wealthy that have cash are making quite a bit putting their money into the companies themselves. Since funding has basically at a screeching halt, companies have very little to choose from. Just a thought.

Janet McGinty
Mattresses. So people who have lost heaps in the GFC can have a good nights sleep!!


Justin Rosenberg

Retail public truck washes - automated machines from the US (Interclean) - distributed by www.autowash.com.au - was trucks in 2 minutes! It's about to revolutionise truck washing, just like car washing a few years ago. We're setting up the first Truck Wash fund to back Autowash recommended sites. A rare opportunity to get infrastructure type risk in venture capital. Our first 3 sites are funded but we're noting interested parties for subsequent sites. It takes us 12 months to get our sites ready (DA, leases etc) - we have 5 more A grade sites in the pipeline. We've partnered with ex-Truck operators who have got the freight companies on board.


David Drake

We are looking for deal flow in seed financing and partnership building for our growing internet fund LDJ Venture Capital


We have since 2007 grown to a dozen internet company holdings and start ups (please see www.LDJCapital.com/portfolio.php). I'm now reaching out as we have added a few more Managing Directors (www.LDJCapital.com/team.php) and we are looking for better quality deal flow to seed. I figured I should reach out to a few select acquiantances first.


We seek start up internet companies that has at least one outline of a business plan and an executive team lined up. It must be a person you like. We have no geographic preference.

We would add most value by investing as a VC towards development, marketing, lead generation, advertising, channel distribution and implementation costs. We want to add eight projects 2010 and invest between $250,000 to $2 million in seed financing per project.

I wouldn't be surprised if you had something yourself to present to our growing team of Managing Directors.

Gary Landa
President The Business Place Ltd
My website http://www.thebusinessplace.com has busineses for sale from all over the world which have been posted by individuals or by brokers.

Rohit Gupta
Turtle Republic - Director (You're Friendly IT Neighbourhood)

You are already showered with lots of options.. hence your investment should be based on couple of parameters.

1. Term of Investment.
2. Expected ROR over Investment Term.
3. Security you are looking for your investment.
4. Regional Economy Stability.
5. Growth & Stability of Targeted Investment Portfolio.

There are more parameters which I would leave for you to hunt and zero in.

Roland Clarke PhD

Might I suggest that you take a good look at renewable energy "projects." While there has been a focus on RE and clean energy "technology" companies, there is opportunity to invest in projects that develop the markets. In order to make investment decisions concerning projects, you may wish to employ well known project analysis software tools for such purposes. One such tool is RETScreen.

James Kelley

If you have 1 million to invest, I would like to speak with you about investing in a company that is due to launch a new software product on Feb. 15, 2010. This company has solved the challenge of making money from social neworking. Hundreds of millions have been invested in companies like Facebook, Twitter, etc., but these companies have only been able to generate revenue from advertising. My client's approach is unique, highly profitable and they are in the process of protecting it with a patent.

Suny Fan

i like shares and funds the most, especially we had a major bust last yr, some analyst predict a growth rate of 20%. property in my opinion is a bit inflated atm, and with interest rate going up, it doesn't look too good, that said, capital gain will be :S but rental income will still grow due to population demands. as for IT infrastructure and web 2.0, they are both great with the later a bit more riskier. but if you had $1m, DIVERSIFY!

Ashwin Shah
Take a partnership with indian company involved in IT like Designing like software,Web design & development,Architectural Services, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering & all, because man power & technology both r good & in advance, u know outsourcing project's r more in demand as every one want's to save their investment & earn more,& if im on wrong track im sorry

Naeim Alkoky
i saw some people making fortune in the stock market(funds & shares) and i saw many more losing millions as well, however my advice is :
for shares, fund :
- Don't invest any money you "may" need in the near future ( in less than 1 year),it is long time investment
- Make sure to invest in the right companies (not over-priced , in good financial shape, and have reasonable fixed assets ...)

web 2.0 and IT : it can be very rewarding if you know what you are doing (or at least someone you trust), some connection will be good for the business as well , however there is alot of competition. outsourcing is not a good idea especially if you are totally counting on it , i had bad experiance with companies claimed they can do what they didn't even had resources to do. so better to not count on that.

properties are the safest investment especially prices are low this days (somehow ) .


Brian Davies
I think your question is wrong. If you can identify an investment where the NPV is positive, including financing costs and a realistic hurdle rate, then it doesn't matter if you have the $1m or not. If the investment is a positive NPV, then you should finance the investment anyway.

However, I'll assume you know (roughly) what your goals are and have done your research into the various options.

If your goal is to maximise return, then go with the investment with the greatest NPV (I'm assuming that you include risk in the hurdle rate).

If your goal is to make the world a better place, then you could consider things like "green technology" (renewables, solar, wind, etc.)

Perhaps micro-loans are more your cup of tea:
Without knowing your goals, it is difficult to provide advice, but I believe that everyone is entitled to _my_ opinion. :-)

Ibrahim Emul
ERP/CRM Consultant – Accenture

Generally the property investment provides steady returns next couple years. So if you expect higher returns other options are worth to examine. But if you are a type of person who wants security in his life, than property market is the best.

The shares reached similar values recently as they left 2 years ago. So I expect the opportunity is not huge in shares either.

My idea is similar with Brian, but instead of micro loans I prefer to become a partner or associate in a smaller company or a new initiative.

I checked your recent role - as "Director at Pulse Property Research Pty Ltd", then I would suggest you to become a partner in one of those private property equity firms - there are dozens in Australia - or directly invest yourself. But 1 million is not huge and not worth to take the high risk to play in property

Roy Salisbury
I think that the economy has a ways to go but if you have a hypothetical million to invest I would look at transactions which have cash flow and a highly defensible market. A hot industry is renewable energy and there are some very proven technologies that can bring a good return with managed risk. The challenge is to work thru the due diligence
market alone.

Sumit Ahuja
VP Sales and Strategy
No Doubt in emedia Innovations / IPTV / Convergence between online media and Advertising

Perryn Slighting
Who really knows and I am a novice investor. I'd go with property as a primary vehicle, most certainly leveraged but with buffer funds to support. I'd also build a share portfolio for some balance as the market covers ground to recover it's former position. As for funds, I really do not know. I am interested to follow this discussion and I do not have $1m to invest; even if you have $100k to invest, is all the same to you as an individual?
Charles Chapman
Experienced CEO,CFO and CIO providing you with solutions
I am no financial advisor, but any amount that you want to invest needs to be treated in the same manner. You first need to have an investment plan that takes all the good things like diversification, income/growth etc into account.

On the leverage side, you most definitely do not want idle assets, so you should (based on your plan) make use of leverage.

Here are 2 links worth reading:

The Motley Fool - http://bit.ly/8kbCZW

NAB Investment Strategies - http://bit.ly/7BAEAp


Jorge Efentakis

I am no Financial Planner and please do not take this as financial advice but I would consider this approach - 1) what is the goal I am trying to meet with these funds 2) what is my risk profile?
Depending on the answers to the above 2 questions I would then decide what to invest in and in what proportion.
Assuming that the funds are to be used for retirement purposes in say 10 years time, assuming you have a risk profile receptive of volatility and also assuming that you do not want to invest in super, and also assuming you do not wish to use the funds for a bigger home (capital gains free) then I would consider investing 1) 50% in direct residential property because you have direct control of the asset and an overall long term return similar to shares 2) the other 50% I would consider investing in shares in a mix to replicate closely the All ordinaries index. I would avoid Managed Funds due to fees and due to unexpected capital gains you may be hit with.

If your risk profile is high risk then I would keep the proportions 50/50 between shares and property but would gear the share portfolio to the extent of 40%.

The above is simply food for thought and is a simplistic opinion because there are a lot of additional factors which I am not aware of around your financial position that would impact the decision.

Suggest get some recommendations for a decent Financial Planner and have the planner draw up a plan based on your specific needs.

Commercializing Science

An interesting email I received from my friend Jeremiah Josey..
Could be worthwhile!

From: David Anthony [mailto:david.anthony@21ventures.net]
Sent: Sunday, 20 December 2009 2:37 AM
To: jeremiahjosey@gmail.com
Subject: Idea-to-IPO 12-week course, starts Jan 12th



Dear Friends,

I give a course called From-Idea-to-IPO at the New York Academy of Sciences which teaches scientists how to commercialize their technology.

The next course starts Tuesday, Jan 12th. If you know any scientists that could benefit from such know-how, please feel free to forward them this email so that they can sign up before it starts.

Regards,

David Anthony

www.21ventures.net
--------------------

21Ventures, LLC

The Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10174-2699

646-335-0621

Social Media in Plain English

I love analogies!!

Did you know 2.0

where will we be in 2030??

Innovation Comes from Necessity

25 Tips from real Entrrepreneurs in Australia - thanks Smart Company

To Download this article... click here

The Ark Total Wealth Team

IVAN KAYE



DYLAN CHAN



ALEX LEE




VICTORIA SPURWAY



STEVE PROCTER

Victoria Spurway at Ark TOtal Wealth

Ivan Kaye at Ark Total Wealth

Meet Steve Procter from Ark Total Wealth

Alex Lee of Ark Total Wealth - talking about what Ark Total Wealth Does

Dave Levinsky at Growthink’s 8 Secrets to Raising Capital

Link to radio blog http://www.growthink.com/node/1635
1. Target the right types of Capital.

VC might NOT be for you. VCs want large growth, scalable, money to spend on huge growth. Normal Businesses are not great for VC.

Most firms seek 1 type of capital – there are 40 types of capital to raise
Google raised from all VC, FFF, Credit Cards, Bank Loans, Angels

2. Avoid raising wrong amounts of Capital
Identifying how much you need to determine who to raise from (source of Funds).
Too much equity – give away control
Too little – not great

Where to access Source of Funds is important. For example: a VC will only invest > $1m, an investment of $500k not appropriate. VC manage massive funds – fewer deals – bigger amounts

Short term cash for long term growth – not great

3. Develop a strong Business Plan

Don’t make mistakes in your business plan….
Make the plan SIMPLE and easy to understand….. Make the pitch simple and compelling. Make the investors/lenders “get” what you do.
Don’t say that you are so unique -
Don’t define the global market size – “we are investing in the trillion $ health area” rather do the relevant market size… what is the opportunity for the company if they get 100% market share.
Define “specific Market” Health, Medical Devices, Stent Market

4. Prepare a detailed Financial Forecast
Make it compelling and believable…..
5 key elements in financial plan
1. Revenue Streams –
2. Where it comes from need to be detailed
3. Projected P&L – future based on past – Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Cash Flow Statements. Numbers need to flow from rest of plan. Marketing, Employees. Summary in text and in appendix full financial data. Existing company – why you are projecting what you do for next 5 years.
4. Validating Assumptions – penetration rates, head counts etc – Make your assumptions feasible.
5. Exit Strategy and Payback Potential. This vision needs to be crystal clear. People are investing because they want a return on their investment. Describe comparable firms that have achieved liquidity events from M&A or public offerings. Ability to get a liquidity event is clear.

5. NETWORK and RELATIONSHIPS offline and online – investor will invest with the CEO who is introduced by a close friend. TRUST , NETWORKING and RELATIONSHIPS are Key. Industry events, forums, trade shows, linked in, facebook….


6. Be CREATIVE and INNOVATIVE – when it comes to finding finance.
a. Give me $500 now and I will give you $1000 worth of Product
b. Convertible Notes
c. Free equity with stapled loans
d. Anything that will compel the investor and make him comfortable that the investment is compelling and there is a strong likelihood for the investor to get an ROI

7. GOAL IS TO HAVE A FACE TO FACE MEETING WITH INVESTORS
Best investors and lenders are inundated with business plans and difficult to get the attention. Most VC have forms that can submit there business plan. Seldom followed up… collected for research – for competition, for markets etc…. do a teaser email first… then exec summary –
a. Goal is a face to face meeting… .looking you in the eye - you will be using their money to generate profits and creating successful businesses
b. Meetings result in financing


8. Use Advisors to help you raise capital and help you with your business
get a board of Advisors – to help you. Use people who can assist. Compensate with success fees, equity. They need to have expertise in your field, functional expertise, marketing expert, technology expert, financial expert.
a. Practice and Pitching to Investors to lenders. If you cant pitch an adviser to spend time on your business, you won’t get someone to invest money in the business.
b. Advisors have connection to capital.. They can invest direct (Angels) or have contacts as they have been successful in the past. A successful person lives among successful people.
c. Credibility in eyes of Investors and Lenders… if you can get a key adviser – you have something… having a brand name quality adviser gives you credibility
d. Operational Success – Entrepreneurs think they know it all… they DON’T !! Successful advisors have been there and can help you through operational issues.

The Perfect Pitch

The first couple of minutes of any presentation are vital.

You have to make an impression and to do that you have to focus the presentation on the crystal clear idea that will excite the audience and win the business.

You need to have in one sentence what your business does…

Cisco “networking for networks” ,
BSI “help your business grow”,
Google - "Internet is about finding places and things and connecting people”,
Seqoui Capital – “ We are the entrepeneurs that help entrepeneurs”

People have to get in one sentence what you are about – “they need to get it”. If it is too confusing in the beginning – they lose interest.

The target audience needs to feel excited and inspired. "You have to get people's attention and be compelling," says Kaye

It usually takes many pitches to get a nibble. There is discipline involved in making the perfect pitch and deciding what should go in and what should be left out.

It is important to get across the quality of the entrepeneur and team. It is the people in the Company that will make the business succesful.

Powerpoint presentations need to be succinct and to the point. There should be only 8 slides for a 12-minute presentation and each slide should have no more than six lines of text and six words to the line.

A demonstration of the product can also be helpful to show how it works and how it can make a difference. The presentation should be interesting and even entertaining, but being too entertaining can affect your credibility.

Enthusiasm should be tempered along with commercial ability.
Having the whole team present can help show that the company has the ability to execute and deliver.

If there is interest, you will need to do 1 on 1 presentations, and be prepared to adjust and improve your presentation as you go. You will need to have detailed documentation and substance backing your presentation.

Examples of succesful Company pitches that come to mind include – B Code, Emailcash, IMCEDA, Netreturn and Looksmart.

Ivan Kaye a Director of BSI and early-stage technology Fund Australian Distributed Incubator says that too often, people will spend ages talking about technology. People are not interested in the technology – they want the solution. What does the technology do to solve a customer’s pain or need? Why will your customers buy from you? Have you got what it takes to build a great company, or have you got what a great company will be looking for ( a potential exit?) "We are specialists in investing, not in individual technologies. Technology is important but it is only one of the relevant criterias," he says.

“I have heard hundreds of pitches, many of those that have left me dissappointed by the lack of preparation and planning. A good pitch is the first hurdle to jump through to be in the running for a potential investment ," he says. "It amazes me how often a potentially great opportunity gets knocked back as a result of a poor pitch. It can be extremely frustrating. A bad presentation will not give the potential investor confidence.”
Kaye says the result of poor preparation often shows up during question time when the entrepeneur reacts negatively to questions. If the target audience is asking the wrong questions, it's because the pitch wasn't clear.

The following points that need to be addressed include:

what your offering is;
does the company have the ability to deliver on the proposed business opportunity.
what are the benefits of realising the opportunity?
how much money you want and what you are going to do with it,
how much is the investor going to make
what are the risks.

The perfect pitch, Kaye says, must address all of these succinctly but be supported by detail.

Advice for the entrepreneur

The principles of a successful business are pretty simple (yeah right!!).
# 1Create or offer a great product or service.
#2 Find a hungry market.
#3 Get your message in front of the masses.
#4 Attract prospects and make sales.
#5 Deliver exceptional value.
#6 Get paid.

Running any kind of legitimate business requires operational expertise, a financial investment—and a lot of hard work.

Make sure you have the right people around you to assist you in achieving your dream

Dylan at Ark Total Wealth

Great summary of how Ark Total Wealth helps clients.

What makes Boston a hub of innovation

Jeff Bussgang of Flybridge capital talks at Harvard Business School.

Jeff Bussgang at HBS: What Makes Boston's Start-Up Scene Special? from Jeff Bussgang on Vimeo.

Lifes a Pitch

Extracts from “Lifes a Pitch”– Want to sell yourself and your brilliant ideas by Stephen Bayley and Roger Mavity

Read the book on the plane…. Some interesting take outs.

The Pitch is a key factor that will determine the course of your life

· The pitch - to present, strut, persuade in order to win a deal.

· You are trying to get someone else to do what you want them to do. To hire you , to work for you, to invest in your business, to lend you money, to go out with you, to sleep with you.

· Much of life is routine and process,, however, one thing you can be certain of is the change will occur during your life ….how you handle change is key – and its all about your pitch during this change.

· Change :- A new job; an acquisition; more capital needed; a listing; an exit; proposing to your partner; breaking up with your partner; buying a house; selling a house; the date that becomes a long term relationship

· How you pitch your ideas, how you pitch your company, how you pitch your products, how you pitch yourself – is a key ingredient on how you will be able to take advantage of this change to achieve your goals, dreams and aspirations.

A successful pitch is more about emotion than logic.

· When an investor is going to invest money in your business… will it be based on spreadsheets, or the persons gut feel or comfort on whether the team/CEO/ Founder will be able to give him a return on his money?

· No-one can be certain of what is going to happen in the future…. When you are pitching, you are asking people to believe in your future….. much will be based on emotions of TRUST, HOPE, CONFIDENCE, DESIRE, GREED and FEAR. These emotions are of the heart and not the head.

· The logic and spreadsheets are generally support and justification of making this emotional decision.

What Drives a Business?

· It takes courage to take a risk, not numbers

· It takes determination to build a business – not numbers

· It takes passion to keep goping when others would cave in – not numbers

· It takes imagination to create a new idea which changes a market – not numbers

· It takes inspiration to motivate staff through a difficult time – not numbers

·

What you need to do to make a successful pitch

BEFORE THE PITCH

· Preparation, preparation, preparation.

· Practice , Practice, Practice…. The more you practice the luckier you will get. Do it until you feel confident that you have it nailed.

· Research, practice, time, get the foundation right

· Understand your audience, ideally know each person who you will be pitching to. Be a good listener

· Say what you are going to say; say it and say it again

· Define what you want to achieve, Make it simple to understand, have extreme confidence in presenting, If they don’t have confidence in you, they won’t have confidence in your idea. The shorter, simpler and clearer, the more confidence you will generate.

· Identify the problem, dwell on it… do not go straight to the solution

· Have one cornerstone slide that will stick in the audiences mind. One central idea

· Executive summary and close…. At end of pitch – tell the story…. Build to a climax and close.

· Only use powerrpoint once you have drafted and perfected your pitch.

THE PITCH

· Delivery, pace and shape

· Look the part

· Use of Humour

· Communicating with the audience

· Ideally don’t use autocue or read slides. Use slides – graphical to illustrate a point.

· When someone asks a question, they don’t necessarily want to know the answer, but whether they can develop a relationship with you. How you interact with them is more important in what you say.

· Be confident and express yourself simply and effectively to get your point across.

· Be charismatic. Have the courage to be a bit different from the rest. Have the authority and charm and magnetic personality that is palpable. Do the things that people think about but would not do. Behave as you wish, not how society expects you to be. Enjoy what you are doing.

· Reassurance, excitement, turning negatives into positives is key as part of the pitch.

· At the end . the close is the most important, and you need to get the audience to say yes.

AFTER THE PITCH

· Follow up, write a letter to your audience, get feedback, close the sale.

· Once you have emailed, written a letter, follow up with a call asking a few key questions…

· the objective is to build relationship and trust… it is a process. This will set you apart.

RESEARCH

UNDERSTANDING THE AUDIENCE

What Drives a Decision Maker such as a CEO?

Pitching to a CEO – identify with him, relate to him, get him to trust you and like you, develop a relationship with him.

How important is price?
When you are sick or need medicine… do you ask…
does the medicine work? Or how much does the medicine cost?

The Psychology of Pitching and understanding the transfer of Power.

The pitch is to transfer the power from the audience to the pitcher.

· A bank has the power to give you a loan.. once you have achieved… you have that power

· An investor has the power to invest… once he has invested – yyou have that power

· An employer has the power to give you a job, once you have been offered the job, you have the power

· A girl you like has the power to make love to you… once you have made love – you have the power

· A client has the power to use you as a professional, once he has chosen you have the power to give him an awesome service

· Identify WHO has the power to say yes – research them and identify what makes them tick… plan the pitch well before the meeting.

People do not like to give up power… there is a fear of loss… the pitcher needs to reassure them, minimize their risk and make it safe to say yes. it is up to you to encourage them to transfer that power to you.

An amazing day by a company with an amazing culture..... taking you beyond what you thought possible!!
Ark Total Wealth www.arktotalwealth.com.au

Memories of Rhodesia

Extract of Zim Memories....

A country is created by peoples hearts and minds... not by boundaries.... technologies such as facebook and twitter, and ease of transport and communication have been able to recreate virtual countries..... amazing!!

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=5717052095&topic=3559#topic_top

Post #1

2 replies

Ann Bampa (South Africa) wroteon September 12, 2007 at 10:49am

One of many for me is packing up the car and driving out to the Matopos. Sometimes we would braai there and sometimes we would eat lunch at the Matopos Hotel.

Post #2

Lorraine Ann Mullin wroteon April 3, 2008 at 7:35pm

Perfect weather,beautiful sunrises & sunsets,the fabulous jacarandas,all the beautiful trees & plants & animals.Karibia Bay,Kariba,Sinoia caves with its cobalt blue water.The people,of all colours,generally happy,friendly,content.
Rhodesian ridgebacks,rugby & being able to go out riding my horse in the middle of the night by moonlight with no fear.
The high quality cotton clothing to be had,I still have a Proud to be Rhodesian tee shirt from 1978.Green Mamba milk shakes from a little restraunt in Avondale, all the junk foods from Willards,especially the popcorn with the pastel coloured sugar...mmmmm!

Post #3

1 reply

Debra Van Vuuren (Bristol) wroteon April 29, 2008 at 5:26am

being able to walk freely through the bush, walk about freely at night in the towns, just being able to be free.
the beautiful quiet nights, only insects to be heard
the pitch black nights, the clean fresh air, the smell of rain, the feel of swimming in the lakes, fishing at 5am in the morning watching the sun rise, never being afraid. camping deep in the bush, again not being afraid.
driving through the game parks, watching the water pour over the mighty falls, walking through the rain forest getting soaked with pure clean water. having an ice cream from eskimo hut, eating dinners at friars, the drive inn, having space to live in with real big gardens, having pets who can run about freely, having a braai with family and friends, celebrating new years eve on selborne avenue at the fountain, harrassing the cops for swimming in the fountain, lying on the beautiful grass by fountain getting pissed. walking around the most amazing and beautiful gardens watching the xmas lights down selborne avenue. and all the beautiful cartoon characters in and around the park. walking around the national museum. going out to matopos for a day having a braai and appreciating the bush life. most of all i miss my cub scouts, i had such beautiful times with them camping, outdoor cooking etc etc, i loved them all and miss it so much.

Post #4

Evan Brindley (Wales) wroteon July 19, 2008 at 1:52am

Being free to act like children, running around all day exploring that wonderful country without fear.
Black Cat peanut butter. Having my mate round to watch Daniel Boone and Tarzan. Life was great when we were in our mid teens in the mid 70's.

Later memories would include comradeship, determination never to submit to outside influences and realising I could do things I would never have thought possible.

Post #5

Aida Dilsisian (Zimbabwe) wroteon August 3, 2008 at 10:12pm

The weather, the people...what genuine people Rhodesians are and always will be. My home. Inyanga...the good old days of MontClair Hotel. God Bless Rhodesia.

Post #6

Debbie Dakers wroteon August 13, 2008 at 11:52pm

Hi Debbie (nee Whitaker) here. I so remember riding to school so early in the morning and finishing at 12.45pm only to race the rain home as it always rained when we were going home.
SOO many wonderful memories! Like identifying which animal had passed on the dirt roads when out on my dad's farm in Chinhoyi.
Fabulous hockey tours with school (MGHS) and Representative teams.
The smell of the bush...sitting outside the restaurant at Hwange Game Reserve at night and trying to work out where the animals were and identify their calls. Plus seeing all the mongoose run so freely around there. I could go on!

Post #7

Wayne Mulholland (Zimbabwe) wroteon August 20, 2008 at 7:55am

Gremlin, Club Tomorrow, veldskoens, wine gums, jungle juice and cheap Lions.

Post #8

1 reply

Terry Knapper (Zimbabwe) wroteon August 25, 2008 at 10:19am

Now that I live in the UK I realise even more what a Fantastic country I grew up in! I loved every minute of my life in Mabelreign, Salisbury.

Haig Park School with Mr. Hough as Headmaster - Ellis Robins with memorable teachers like Mr Bradley, Mr Griffiths, Miss Hearn, Mr Fiddies and Mr Flynn. Headmaster Mr Jones and Deputy Head Mr Gibson - He was a stern looking bloke!
Swimming at Meyrick Park which was run by Mr Pietersie. Mabelreign Swimming Pool with it's underwater viewing area, Les Brown Olympic Pool.
Seeing The Monamotapa Hotel getting built next door to Les Brown.

Biltong - Man I miss good Rhodesian Biltong and Cream Sodas and Cherry Plum.
Just being able to go to the Outdoor Fridge on the Garage Forecourts and helping myself to an Ice Cold Drink.

I miss going to Lake Mcillwaine on our boat and fishing every weekend. Going Trout Fishing at Inyanga.

Arranging a Braai - without worrying if it was going to rain or nor - you could actually plan to do things in the confidence that the weather would be good - as it usually was!
I miss the Outdoor Life and the variety which filled my life. I miss the Unadulterated food - it always tasted better.

And do you know what I miss most of all .....You Guys! Rhodesians! We were all friendly both black and white and you're friends always stuck by you.
This one thing is a FACT - We will always be Proud Rhodesians and we will die Proud Rhodesians!

I was Born in Salisbury, Rhodesia, A Proud Rhodesian! NOT Harare, Zimbabwe - that is NOTHING to be proud of!

It was only the Outside interference from Foreign States and the extremist black movements or terrorists as we knew them, who's sole aim was financial benefit, with no interest in caring for it's people, that destroyed Rhodesia.

May That Once Fantastic Country - The Bread Basket of Africa - Rest in Peace!

Post #9

Cathy Maitin-Casalis Foulis (South Africa) wroteon August 25, 2008 at 11:02pm

The best years of my life! I had a freedom that my children don't have. Even in the middle of a war I had more freedom than my own children do in a "democratic" South Africa!

Post #10

Tammy Leigh Lawless (South Africa) wroteon September 3, 2008 at 5:29am

Bengal juice at the motorcross races.
Forever playing outside, walking around with all the freedom in the world and never any fear.
The jacaranda trees.

My worst memory is the locust season.

Post #11

1 reply

Caroline Anne Legh Dyke (South Africa) wroteon October 10, 2008 at 2:09pm

Hi there! where do you start? words like moosh, sadza, PK, shumba and Shona words like ynjama, mukaka (spelling suspect!) but you know what I mean - words that live with you and nobody knows what the hell you talking about!!? Going out our bikes as kids and riding forever, wherever and getting back at dusk, no phones, no worries. Going to town on a Saturday morning (what an outing!) and having lunch in the resturant on the top of Barbours or Sanders - wonderful grub, never found again. Going to the local butcher, and grocer on the corner and my Mum running a tab!! Rixi Taxi 60 666 - remember that?? The test pattern on the TV and the music as it was coming on, going on and on, all us kids would be sitting there glued watching that test pattern untill it was 5pm. and then it would start with the national athem. Cabby would come on and we would sit in wonder!! The wonderful people both black and white, so friendly, so happy - salt of the earth. The elephant grass, and the smell after the rain. The masasa trees and the masasa beetles with thier shrill buzz through the night. The wonderful thunder storms and lightening that used to light your room up at night. The smell of the floor polish that your 'house boy' had freshly rubbed into the parke floors on his hands and knees! Christmas was magic, rememer the song "It's Christmas in Rhodesia"? Ja, we are a privilaged few - treasure those memories, but remember there are thousands of us out here who share them with you! Happiness to you all where ever you are now! Caroline Dyke (nee Allen)

Post #12

1 reply

Cathy Gamaroff (South Africa) wroteon October 20, 2008 at 6:58am

I remember being wildly excited when the first rains came and the swarms of flying ants came out and flew around the street lights. My brothers and sisters and I would run out into the streets (so safe) to try and catch them. There would be cute little fat frogs who didn't hop, they just walked, and they would gulp down ant after ant. I don't know why that was so wonderful, in retrospect, it just was.

Post #13

ALetta Soap (Edinburgh) wroteon October 23, 2008 at 1:23am

Stock-car racing on a Saturdays, being able to go around in the cars, (my dad Wally Hales did the photography of the races and for sports too for the news papers) Beefy Burger's and the ice-creams. Haddon and Sly's, Meikles - City Hall, Jacaranda Trees going down Grays Ave. Riding my bike with the freedom of not being attacked. Getting true biltong, swiming at Paddonhurst, Borrowdale swimming pools having loads of friends to meet up with. Feeling safe with out any bars anywhere. Playing in the rain and not getting into trouble - and big gardens - it was the best - still home in my heart.

Post #14

Craig Du Bruyn wroteon October 27, 2008 at 1:00am

Mermaids pool every sunday

Post #15

Shelley Cookson Kyle (Zimbabwe) wroteon October 27, 2008 at 1:17am

I can't top any of this, but I remember washing my hair during one of those afternoon downpours. Our mothers told us it was "very good for your hair".... Trade Fair, Eskimo Hut, Drive Inn every Sunday, Fritz after a night out, driving down the middle of the road after a night out...... :-) and not worrying about other cars on road - coz there weren't any!!! The avocado tree in our back yard, the lemon/orange tree which had fused together when sprouting. Eating sadza and gravy with the garden boy in his room. Doing gymnastics in the huge back yard grass "patch". Giggling until I almost wet my pants...... Oh, the happy days!!!!

Post #16

Julie Rawsthorne wroteon November 11, 2008 at 2:44am

Wow, such amazingly wonderful memories in spite of all the bad childhood memories I have. These are some of my favourites: watching I Dream of Jeanie on tv; spending weekends with my Grandparents in Hillside and later in Greendale; lazy weekends by the swimming pool, beautiful weather, glow worms in the lawn, Gremlin, Drive In, caravaning at Lake McIlwaine, the smell of the bush, elephants at Hwange, the rainforest at Vic Falls, Radio Jacaranda and the Forces programme on Wednesday afternoons, the best sunsets in the world, always being able to get a parking, nigger balls, afternoon thunder storms, the patriotism we all felt,remember signing "we are all Rhodesians and we'll fight through thick and thin'?, singing the national anthem at school, our vegetable garden, huge numbers of different pets, trips to Kariba for the weekend, picking up tortoises on the side of the road at Makuti on the way to Kariba, Kariba bream, the word Moosh, the Rhodesia is Super t-shirts you got everywhere, the good quality clothing, going into town on a Saturday morning, Baobab trees and dusty roads, the crickets out at night, starry skies, frost on the lawn in winter.

Post #17

Deborah Molly King (New Zealand) wroteon November 13, 2008 at 3:25am

What a wonderful trip down memory lane....I remember Lake Mcillwaine and every year my dad would fish in the tiger tornament at Lake Kariba....I can smell the bush and the sun as it warms up the leaves...the sound of insects, monkeys in the distance and elephants that was a good christmas we camped at Churundu. There are no night sound here, no crickets or small bugs...I would have never guessed that I would miss that sound so much.

Post #18

Cathy Gamaroff (South Africa) wroteon November 15, 2008 at 5:42am

Yes, the "Christmas Beetles" loudly singing in the long grass in the Summer holidays, the frog chorus at night after the first rains, the "go-away" birds in the Jacaranda trees. Wonderful sounds.

Post #19

Mark Brian Harris wroteon November 24, 2008 at 9:19am

For those of us who were blessed to be born and bred in Bullies,Eskimo Hut,Worlds View Matopos,Wankie National Park and Luna Park.

Post #20

Robert Matthew Brown (Zimbabwe) wroteon November 29, 2008 at 6:43am

EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.

Post #21

John David McBride (Plymouth) wroteon November 30, 2008 at 11:04am

Eating sudsud in the garden with the gardener....
Playing with Ant lion's ,just laying in the dust...
Camping and boating on Inyanconie dam..camping at second river outside Bulawayo on the plumtree road..Jocks store's..and ...Donkey munyor's..The beautiful people....Leaning to make a catapult from thing you find in the bush..Going to church in barmgreen...being the only white kid that played mini-soccer in the shop behind the church..great days they were....Partying with friend......so many thing I remember.....I can never forget learning how to fish for grubs that live under the ground..Hot day's .Flying ants and running around on the road barefooted with big red spiders running after the flying ants hehe..good times...going home cover in mud from head to toe and showering under the hosepipe in the garden..hehe....

The Zulu Warrior in the Bulawayo museum..I was like wow man.....So many thing I cannot put them down sorry..My spelling was and still is very bad...



Just being there.....



Just a note: I believe in equality for all that's why I left in 1977..and I am sorry too see that there are so many thing still going bad for my fellow countrymen/women..............

Best regards to all....John David..

Post #22

Yvonne DeLay (Orange County, CA) wroteon December 5, 2008 at 12:46pm

Mermaids Pool, Mazoe on Sunday afternoons, Gremlin after midnight movies, who still has the best waffles I've ever tasted. Choc 99s, Coq D'Or, Round Bar & Bretts( my youngest son is named Brett). Great biltong. Having breakfast or tea in the tea room at Barbours. The buffet lunch at Monomatapa on Saturdays. The Show every August, where one year I modelled at one of the pool exhibits & Luna Park. Braais with friends & family. And of course Christmas rocked in Rhodesia. I, too, remember the song Christmas in Rhodesia. Best wishes for Christmas & 2009 to all Rhodesians far & near.

Post #23

John Vorster wroteon December 6, 2008 at 4:01am

Going to the cricket at Salibury Sports Club and smelling the smell of braaied meat drifting through the air and hearing my late brother selling cooked chicken saying "come and buy your chicken here-the chicken is free,the paper wrapping is only $4-00!" HA!HA!

Post #24

William Kolbe-Booysen (South Africa) wroteon December 8, 2008 at 1:16pm

Water skiing at Lake Macilwane, the dam wall.The Lion and Cheetah park. My family not scattered around the world.

Post #25

Stephen King wroteon December 12, 2008 at 5:52pm

So many good memories... 'Hubbly Bubbly' and 'Hawaiian Punch' cool drinks & that ice-cream (can't remember the name) shaped like a rocket ship - choc, vanilla and strawberry bands topped with chocolate and sprinkled with hundreds & thousands, riding out to the dam on weekends to go fishing, the smell of approaching rain on a summer afternoon followed by a cracking thunderstorm... the list goes on.

Post #26

Lee Catterson (South Africa) wroteon January 10, 2009 at 2:17am

The people, the smiles, the friendliness and most of all the honesty.

Post #27

Richard De Bon (Italy) wroteon January 30, 2009 at 12:10pm

My years at Courtney Seluos school.Wasn't much of a scholar,but I really enjiyed those years with my school mates.

Post #28

Gary Du Bernard (Northern Indiana, IN) replied to Debra's poston February 1, 2009 at 10:33pm

Nice description! I was born in Bulawayo. :)

Post #29

Gillian Ashmead Mecoy wroteon February 9, 2009 at 7:55pm

Hitch hiking to Hots Springs while listening to Forces favourites with Sally Donaldson,and singing Chick Berry's , My Ding- A- ling ....
Beaut African storms....the smell of rain .
Waving and hooting at every army vehicle that passed us on the road...
Hanging out at the local club with mates and family.......sooooo many to remember.
Gosh I miss it !

Post #30

Belinda Debbo wroteon February 9, 2009 at 11:28pm

Alas I have long forgotten the author of this, but it sums it up for me.....

MEMORIES
.......Long horizons of bush and road
blue skies, held by wool-like clouds
Vistas, distances, ground well loved
...............
An evening braai, the murmur of many tongues
And, with untold hours of work and play
..... we are eventually at peace, beneath this azure sky
That shall forever look down upon the country that I love
That shall by any other name be called
To me, in fond memory, will always be Rhodesia.

Post #31

Sian Visser wroteon February 13, 2009 at 12:09pm

Freedom!
Walking in the bush worrying about snakes and not guns.
sunshine. comradeship.
I MISS HOME.

Post #32

Shannon Thewlis wroteon March 1, 2009 at 11:53am

Living in t-shirts and shorts, Tracker takkies (trainers), Maleme dam, Matopas, sudza, Wankie Nat Park (snort!!) and catching camel worms in my cap at the Dunlop tennis courts in Bulawayo. I can never give my kids such a rich upbringing!!

Post #33

Stephen King wroteon March 2, 2009 at 3:25am

The smells - Jacarandas in full bloom, the heady scent of the riverside in summer, rain on the breeze before an afternoon thunderstorm, fresh early morning air, the sound of a distant neighbour's lawnmower bringing the sweet smell of cut grass, bees smelling of honey as they gathered for water by the side of the fish pond, someone's braai... idyllic.

Post #34

Mary Frankland (London) wroteon March 2, 2009 at 11:59am

123 Hay Road, Bindura School, the swimming pool, and the Taylor Farm. Fond memories, good friends.....a life time ago but still carved in the heart.

x

Post #35

Jane Ledeboer Campbell (London) wroteon March 7, 2009 at 10:45am

Ethel Mine Quarry in Motoroshanga. We would jump from the top, some never came up again! Actually I never did jump! I wonder if anyone ever managed to get to the bottom.

Post #36

Karen Lucinda Zaayman (South Africa) wroteon March 17, 2009 at 12:57am

When i was fourteen...i was walking in the parking lot of the Odzi hotel, and a truck of army guys pulled in to get supplies...and in unison the started singing to me..."weve lost that loving feeling..oh that loving feeling" How brave they were... defended us with their hearts and souls. Thirty years later i still get a lump in my throat when i recall the specialness of that moment.
What a country we had!

Post #37

Terence Strong (Manchester) wroteon March 17, 2009 at 9:19am

I have so many great memories. Fishing at Ballantyne Park, Gremmies and dragging down Enterprise Road The list goes on. Those of us born in the fifties and sixties enjoyed the very best of life in a wonderful country and were privileged to have such a brilliant start to life. Oh yes there were also call-ups, which I can look back on fondly. Terence Strong

Post #38

David Cohen wroteon March 27, 2009 at 7:23am

There are so many wonderful things to remember. Perfect weather, the smell of rain, the rich red soil that stained your socks, dairyboard and lions Maid ice cream carts, the dairy den, mermaids pool, yellow orchid, blue gardenia, martin Lockes spin-a-long, sport all year round, Inyanga, cameraderie of your mates in your unit, the overall kindness of all of the people, Kariba, Vic Falls. A trip from time to time down the road of nostalgia is always a good thing.

Post #39

Coralie Pascoe (London) replied to Ann's poston May 7, 2009 at 11:30am

I was not born a Rhodie but I do consider myself bred a Rhodie. My mum was laid to rest at Motopos-do you remember the lizard man? Eskimo hut always stands out. We did the whole country in a tent when I was 12-there was this gorgeous little chapel at Lake Kyle...
And no one has mentioned Chipangali?
Chibulies, Wrex Tarr and John Edmond (especially tales of a game ranger)...would love to get my hands on a few copies for my son.

Post #40

Ron Williams wroteon May 26, 2009 at 12:27pm

Geez,where do you start,coz the memories live on forever,like Mary Frankland{above} said,carved in the heart.lets see,walking bare foot every where,the tiny bottles of milk at Henry Low School,playing rugby on a dirt pitch & not moaning when you took a hit.Going out to Matopos{Meleme Dam} on our bikes for a week or so,& only taking one tin of beans,the rest of our food came from the dam,the bush or what sadza we could bum off the park wardens.{no mobile phones,just a "bye ma,see you in a week or so" & off you go}.Try doing thet here in the UK. Cruizing the streets looking for a drag race down Grey Street,then going to Fritz for a steak roll before hitting "Talkies"
The sight of your gorgeos girl waiting for you a Brady Barracks after a gruelling tour....New years eve at the fountain & then off to watch the sunrise at worlds view.....I could go on for ages.I am also enjoying reading all the other memories,this could go on for a while!!!!

Post #41

Brenda Gennissen wroteon May 28, 2009 at 3:24pm

Mazoe oranges mmmm... Anything grew in that sweet smelling red soil and picking it strait off the bush to nibbling the sweet goodness.
Running a muck with the locals and hoards of cousins in the bush and not having to check in with parents till dinnertime.. Playing in the minedumps. Familly get togethers from early morning to late night. Oumas cooking.....swimming in clear icy cold springs. window shopping with the folks late at night...drive inn...stock car races.
Fresh bread delivered by boys on bicycles (yellow buns with a cuppa tea)....best of all the milk in the glass bottles...n sipping off the cream from the top...Yummy! dairyboard and lions Maid ice cream carts, milk and juce at school break - giggle...égging cars from those huge stormdrains...
Jacarandas in full bloom - Chaplain High School. Big Blue ballooning skirts to the Montrose Girls High uniform...LUNDI PARK PRIMARY...Mr Bell and the bets for a bottle of Coca-Cola.."Sweet"
Neighbours were like an extended family.
The army guys..he!he! giving the peace sign to every truck that passed us.
Proud to be Rhodesian..

Post #42

Jenny Simpkins wroteon May 28, 2009 at 3:48pm

The people, the endless sunshine, the Jacarandas that lined our street in Belvedere, Salisbury, the popping sound when the odd car drove over the carpet of purple flowers on the road beneath them, our pool, our huge garden, the flamelilies growing wild amongst the rockeries in our garden, cycling to school and back then heading into the veld just two blocks away with dogs and friends for the rest of the day - completely free, Lake McIlwaine, Mermaids Pool, Troutbeck, the fantastic fresh local produce, braai's, early morning swimming training at Les Brown pool, being treated to dinner at Monomatapa Hotel, lunch at Barbours with my Mum and sister, cream soda milkshakes at Gremlins, the excitement of going to see the Christmas lights and display in the park next to Les Brown pool on a warm December evening, spending hours outside swimming, running, laughing - no thought of tv, computer games, mobile phones etc, oh I could go on and am truly blessed to have been born and bred in Rhodesia.

Post #43

Peter Gargan (Zimbabwe) wroteon July 5, 2009 at 9:50am

The sight of Beit Bridge coming home, the first pilsener at the Lion & Elephant. Birchenough bridge appearing in the distance, Baobab trees. A red carpet of Crimson Spider Mites at Birchenough. Impala dancing. Msasa trees in flame red on the hills surrounding Umtali. The same view green a few months later.
Doing a "ton" on your bike down the Inyanga road and "hitting the wall" as you went over the bridge after the 15 mile staight.
Manica beers in Beira, fishing on the beach and being able to call a waiter for a drink (restaurant name forgotten).
Early morning starts for the Tiger Tournament at Kariba .Racing across the lake to be first at the gorge. The sight and sound of an RRAF Hunter coming down Sanyati gorge at zero feet . The wildlife viewed from a boat at Kariba.
Walking through a buffalo herd at Mana Pools. Catching a Vundu with a piece of blue soap at Mana camp. The sight of Elephant swimming across the Zambesi to Zambia, like a herd of submarines.
Meeting a Buffalo face to face in the reeds at Impala Ranch , Chiredzi.
The privilege of growing up there at a time when things were great.

Post #44

Roy Amm wroteon July 7, 2009 at 7:51pm

Hubbly Bubbly, Bazant, Dairy Den - being able to go to the local hotel and buying beer at the 'off-sales', LèCoq Dor, Archepeligoes (sp), Club 99, Squires Night Club, Saturday Lunch Time Scene at Oasis Motel Sby - many trips to Kariba, Freedom, Best Climate, Gremlin Drive Inn restaurant. The Red Fox Hotel, Greendale. Feathers, Mabelriegn. Spaniards Hotel, Mabelreign. Elephants Walk Motel, near Karoi
Forces Canteen - good grub and spoiled by all the volunteer mom's
Great childhood, good friendships, -=----- miss it a lot, still.

Post #45

Deborah Lane replied to Cathy's poston July 8, 2009 at 8:05pm

You made me cry (good tears) with your beautiful descriptions which brought back wonderful memories of the freedom and good fun we all experienced as children growing up in Rhodeisa.

Debbie Lane (nee Boot)

Post #46

Ann Bampa (South Africa) replied to Ann's poston July 13, 2009 at 2:40am

Oh and I almost forgot.. going to Eskies for ice-cream, Fritz for a Spanish Burger and the Trade Fair!

Post #47

Sheila Joyce Wheeler wroteon July 21, 2009 at 5:19am

Wow so many...The Vumba, Leopard Rock Hotel. Inyanga, Troutbeck Inn. The holidays we had there. The huge gardens and houses we had. The rose bushes in our garden. The FRIENDLY people. The laid back lifestyle. The Airforce days not much money but we had so much fun. Matopos. Mermaids Pool. Churchill pipe band...

Post #48

Graham Longstaff replied to Caroline's poston July 21, 2009 at 9:51pm

Carol, you just summed it up. I lived there, not born and bred, but for those years it was home. Unique people and places, unique country. When asked where I am from, I answer, with a lot of pride..I am Scots by birth, Rhodesian by choice.

Post #49

Alan Law wroteon July 23, 2009 at 5:43am

Oh man . . . . so many memories, it would take a lifetime to list them all!!

I'll never forget the one guy who would wander around tghe rugby & cricket selling "ice cream, Bengal Juice & nyamnyams"!!!!

My last Christmas in Zim ('81), was spent in Bullies with the best friends a person could ever have . . . Charmaine Rogers & her wonderful family, Ken (Tam) Dornan, Bruce (Box) Robertson, etc, etc . . . We were so broke that we couldn't afford a drop of dop between us, & we spent a month getting wasted on water! The best time of my life; could never be repeated anywhere.

I was at Churchill when the Pipe Band broke the world record by piping nonstop in the hall for 100 hours. What an amazing time. I still get goosebumps every time I hear the pipes.

Getting caught underage at the offsales a month before I turned 18, & almost getting thrown in jail for my sins!!

People who never had the privilege & honour of beng brought up in the most unique country in the world could never understand the passion we all still feel Rhodesia.

Post #50

Jackie Bruwer (South Africa) wroteon July 25, 2009 at 2:08am

I miss the freedom of living without fear. Most of all i miss the people who were in the most part genuine honest and caring. There is nothing like being a born and bred Rhodesian and i am proud to say that i am.

Post #51

Katie Alfonso wroteon July 26, 2009 at 7:31am

After reading everyone's notes about their memories of Rhodesia. There's just one thing left to say, "Rhodesia was God's country".

Post #52

Cherril Lawless wroteon August 6, 2009 at 12:41pm

My biggest memory is the freedom we had as children, climbing kopies, riding bikes. The thunder storms, the pawpaws, mango's fresh from the tree. The people and the countryside.

Post #53

Natasha Capper wroteon August 26, 2009 at 6:52pm

Mangoes from the tree behind our house. Playing with a sense of freedom and innocence that will never exist again. Identifying the animals in the clouds. Balancing rocks and cave paintings. Dairy Den after ballet.

Post #54

Pauline Mary replied to Terry's poston August 28, 2009 at 10:53am

Hi Terry - I was very interested to see your note here. Howard Hough was my stepfather - sadly he passed away in 1982. You warmed my heart to think that there is someone out there who remembers him. He was a great teacher and Headmaster. Take care. Regards, Pauline Clarke

Post #55

Pauline Mary wroteon August 28, 2009 at 10:56am

Mermaid's Pool, Bengal Juice, Riding home from school and stopping along the way to chat to my friends - and ALWAYS getting home later than I should have!!! The Yellow Orchid Drive Inn in Sherwood Drive, snogging at Mabelreign Drive-In!!!!!! Breakfast runs up Domboshawa. Stock Cars and Speedway at Salisbury Show Grounds.

Post #56

Pauline Mary wroteon August 28, 2009 at 11:04am

oh and ... those magnificent Msasa trees - remember how they use change the landscape completely when they ushered in the spring time? Those sparkling streams at Inyanga. Troutbeck Inn. The Little Swallow Inn just outside of Umtali. Cross Kopje in Umtali. Holidays at the Estoril Hotel in Beira and the Pavillion right on the beach in Beira. Playing at the old shipwreck on the beach.

Post #57

Clifford Bartlett wroteon August 28, 2009 at 1:13pm

Rhodes and Founders weekend at Wankie. So many lions to see and elephants. I remember in one weekend we saw 21 lions a record for all our visits. God's own country. The bread basket of Africa. May it once again return to what it was. Debbie Stoneley

Post #58

Eugene Clemens Els (South Africa) wroteon September 19, 2009 at 12:21pm

Definitely the food! My aunt Eugenie's food.. mm.... Esp Hay Stacks! Best food I ever ate in my whole life.

Post #59

Lance Wilson (South Africa) wroteon September 22, 2009 at 10:51am

Two nannies greeting each other at the break of dawn in Inyanga, each one on a different hillside and shouting across the valley to each other--
Mangwananieeeeeeeee, the other one returns, mangwananieeee ndaarrarah ehrehh, the other one returns, ndaarrarah cannamaarrah ooohh,
OoooKKKKK Fambaai Zvakanakka, Dizzozzo.
It was amazing how the voices would carry accros the early morning mist, for such long distances.
The smell of the Kraal fire, A proud police force that wasnt corrupt, Fourpence our house keeper and cook, he was part of our family for 25 years, my second father.

Post #60

Darren Bester wroteon September 27, 2009 at 3:04pm

In a nutshell, it was the friendly people... never had anything quite like the genuine Rhodie warmth and hospitality since I left in '82.

Post #61

Colleen Scott wroteon September 29, 2009 at 4:30am

Telly 5 Club, Cabby and Suzie the dalmation - and Daktari on TV! Thunderstoms! Bullfrogs after the rains! And like most people, just everything! What an awesome priviledge to be born and raised in such a wonderful country.

Post #62

Hillery Magrobi (South Africa) wroteon October 2, 2009 at 1:03pm

Bengal juice at school - I can almost taste it! :)
Awesome teachers like Mr Heron, and Mrs Gillespie at Courtney Selous
Mr Leech our Headmaster at Moray Primary
Carefree life, feeling safe in our home
Chester our "house boy" and cook who looked after our family
Chipengali
Happy times - miss it! :)