New Zealand - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

[patham]

Yep, then Milton. On hindsight, should have done Falcon.

 

A year at Thomas Baines junior, then across town to Hamilton High. There was not enough money floating around for Falcon. I went there a few times to play hockey and it did look mighty fine ! 

[patham]

Aah a Zimbo! My family is all from there. Father and mother grew up there. Grandparents lived in Bulawayo (grandmother still does). My uncles all went to Falcon college. A couple of my cousins did too.

 

My grandfather was big into his boats (motorized) and fishing, but funny enough never took us kids to the dams around Bulawayo as he had a chalet and houseboat down on the Zambezi (Msuna, not far from Hwange).

 

 

Random recollection mode=ON.

 

My last few years in Zim I was up in Hwange. I only visited Msuna a few times, but hung out more at the chalets at the Wankie Angling & Boating Club, the order was WABC, the Deka Drum, Msuna as you went further downstream and/or down the road (which got progressively dodgier).

 

 

The boat ride from WABC to Msuna (or further to Milibisi) is pretty cool as the Zambezi changes character quite a bit in that area, gorges, rapids, sand islands, shallower riffle sections etc and then Kariba itself. Although technically, Kariba under extreme flood conditions backs up past the WABC, the high water mark is painted on the colliery water extraction pump station there. 

 

Just downstream of the WABC is one of the last of the rapids, known as Black Rock, which needs a fair bit of skill and knowledge to navigate. The one time a friend and myself were asked to reposition an acquantance's boat down to Msuna. Sounded like a cool day out, no worries!

 

All started off OK, but as we got into the river main stream the engine failed. No back-up engine as it was not a monster-sized boat. Look for an anchor - none present, just tie-ropes which are pretty useless in a 500 m wide river. Look for paddles, only one. No mobiles back then either.

 

As we were drifting closer and closer to the rapids (and hence a certain flip and swim with the hippocrocoducks)  my buddy was frantically trying to do an engine and carb strip, whilst I was perched on the bow paddling like no tomorrow, and making very little headway to get to the side of the river in time.

 

Just before certain doom, a guardian angel with his home-engineered Ford Fairlane V8 inboard combined with a Volvo penta-drive (so oodles of power) came zooming past, we flagged him down and got a tow back to the WABC. To bring the story back to the NZ thread theme, the saviour guy ended up becoming my brother-in-law, and they live in Palmerston North! 

 

Learnt that day, do your equipment checks before getting your feet wet, and don't be afraid of pulling the plug on the mission if everything is not in order! 

[davetapson]

Random recollection mode=ON.

 

Learnt that day, do your equipment checks before getting your feet wet, and don't be afraid of pulling the plug on the mission if everything is not in order! 

Did the same sort of thing at Kanyemba - had an epic descent into the valley - had an old Mk1 Range Rover that caught fire, a new Isuzu KB that popped a front shock, a Nissan bakkie that popped it's front hubcap covers off...

 

When we finally got on the river, the other guys had taken off up stream and was me and a mate left.  We jumped in a boat, cranked the motor and headed up after them. 

Me: "Paul, isn't this motor supposed to have a tell-tale?" (Stream of water to show the water pump impeller is working...)

Paul: "Yeah-um-maybe?" Looks longingly upstream... "Whatever."

 

400m upstream, just past a huge pod of restless hippos... *put*put*stop*

 

Just sat there looking at the pod of Hippos that we were being washed back down to and thought "Damn, all that **** getting here, and we're going to be eaten by Hippos on the first 10mins on the river..."

 

We managed to paddle ourselves out of harms way, but it was a close run thing.

 

I love that river.

 

Edit: I was picking up books for the kids in the Browns Bay Library and came across this - it's a great read...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Wankie-Place-Colonial-Africa/dp/1568251653

Edited July 23, 2020 by davetapson

[travisza]

Hi Travis.

 

If no kids, CHC would be a good choice. Proviso being it is a small town compared to most of ZA.

 

For perspective, Benoni has half the population of AUCKLAND. And that's our biggest city.

 

CHC is a good gateway to adventure and still has a reasonably good economy for job seekers. 

 

I went there three weeks ago to investigate living there, but was not happy with the schools so that's why we did not make the move.

 

My biggest suggestion and recommendation is to use a registered immigration agent. Especially in these turbulent times. Paying for good advice is invaluable. Most of us moved here before the major immigration changes, so essentially our advice becomes more obsolete over time. 

 

I am happy to recommend a few if you like?

Hi Wayne,

 

Thanks so much for the response. While we don't have kids yet we are certainly thinking about having our first in the next little while. (As you can tell I'm trying to pile as much stress into the next 24 months as I can haha)

 

I read your post regarding schooling in CHC and I suppose because I don't have kids yet its not something I've looked very deeply into. I'm not against single-sex schools if those are the best options. If we do have kids in the next 1-2 years then they'll only need primary schooling in the next 5-7 so I suppose we would have some time to consider schooling in the area. Not looking to move twice but its not impossible.

 

Regarding the immigration agent I was planning on doing this myself and saving the money (to put towards our animals' move haha) but your and Dave's points are valid and that might be penny-wise, pound-foolish at this stage given all that is going on. Given that this is the biggest lifestyle change my wife and I would make (aside from kids) it makes sense to get expert advice....if you could recommend some agents that would be amazing thank you. Better than relying on the first result in a google search

[davetapson]

I've given some thought to the DIY thing, and I think my final feeling is:

 

If things are simple - you have an easily defined profession and career, few job changes etc, then DIY is probably quite feasible.

 

In our case, things were more complicated, including a kid that wouldn't be considered a dependent (over 18) etc, and having an agent who could advise options made a difference.

[intern]

Patches this one is for you (and specifically, why you should not put your moto away for the winter). I've been riding around 4-6 times a week the last while. It's not all bad, that's for sure!

 

[intern]

Note the rear mudguard/fender/number plate on my bike is all smashed off. Wheelie practice and also looping out at the top of obstacles like this one:

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Hi Wayne,

 

Thanks so much for the response. While we don't have kids yet we are certainly thinking about having our first in the next little while. (As you can tell I'm trying to pile as much stress into the next 24 months as I can haha)

 

I read your post regarding schooling in CHC and I suppose because I don't have kids yet its not something I've looked very deeply into. I'm not against single-sex schools if those are the best options. If we do have kids in the next 1-2 years then they'll only need primary schooling in the next 5-7 so I suppose we would have some time to consider schooling in the area. Not looking to move twice but its not impossible.

 

Regarding the immigration agent I was planning on doing this myself and saving the money (to put towards our animals' move haha) but your and Dave's points are valid and that might be penny-wise, pound-foolish at this stage given all that is going on. Given that this is the biggest lifestyle change my wife and I would make (aside from kids) it makes sense to get expert advice....if you could recommend some agents that would be amazing thank you. Better than relying on the first result in a google search

 

A friend is in the process of getting his border collie sent over, from PE to Tauranga.

So far the bill is at R60k.

[Wayne Potgieter]

This is going to sound cruel but I am glad we did not bring our pets.

 

The adjustment would be too huge. The costs too high and rentals with a pet is a difficult challenge.

 

We rehomed our pets in SA. Mostly to gunners and we stayed in contact and they look really happy.

 

Edit. Not gunners. HUBBERS.

Edited July 24, 2020 by Wayne Potgieter

[travisza]

A friend is in the process of getting his border collie sent over, from PE to Tauranga.

So far the bill is at R60k.

Ya I think first quote my wife got was R135k and we aren;t even sure if thats all in.

[travisza]

This is going to sound cruel but I am glad we did not bring our pets.

 

The adjustment would be too huge. The costs too high and rentals with a pet is a difficult challenge.

 

We rehomed our pets in SA. Mostly to gunners and we stayed in contact and they look really happy.

Doesn't sound cruel to me if they went to good homes as opposed to be put in a shelter. It sounds like an easy decision "I'll never leave my pets behind, they are coming with" but in reality its more complicated than that.

 

Two of our dogs are around 9years old already so getting on...it definitely raises the question of taking them over at that later stage in their lives with stress etc. But it will take alot for my wife to get to the point of leaving them. Just one of the challenges on the way.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Doesn't sound cruel to me if they went to good homes as opposed to be put in a shelter. It sounds like an easy decision "I'll never leave my pets behind, they are coming with" but in reality its more complicated than that.

 

Two of our dogs are around 9years old already so getting on...it definitely raises the question of taking them over at that later stage in their lives with stress etc. But it will take alot for my wife to get to the point of leaving them. Just one of the challenges on the way.

 

Jip, my friends BC is only just turned a year old now.

Age has to be a factor. Imagine spending the money and they don't survive the trip......

[davetapson]

We re-homed two of our dogs, and had one put down - she was old and not of a desirable breed for finding an interested other family. Was a bit tough, but it is what it is.

 

Edit: It's an interesting thing, this 'pets are part of family and thus no expense is too much.'

I don't buy this (and I often wonder what the driver for this belief/feeling/emotion is) but it's obvious folk invest huge emotional capital into pets that leads to some strange (to me) decisions. Smoking R60k to get a dog somewhere...!? That's a nope from me.

 

Edited July 26, 2020 by davetapson

[patches]

Random recollection mode=ON.

 

My last few years in Zim I was up in Hwange. I only visited Msuna a few times, but hung out more at the chalets at the Wankie Angling & Boating Club, the order was WABC, the Deka Drum, Msuna as you went further downstream and/or down the road (which got progressively dodgier).

 

*snip*

 

Learnt that day, do your equipment checks before getting your feet wet, and don't be afraid of pulling the plug on the mission if everything is not in order! 

 

 

Did the same sort of thing at Kanyemba - had an epic descent into the valley - had an old Mk1 Range Rover that caught fire, a new Isuzu KB that popped a front shock, a Nissan bakkie that popped it's front hubcap covers off...

 

*snip*

I love that river.

 

Edit: I was picking up books for the kids in the Browns Bay Library and came across this - it's a great read...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Wankie-Place-Colonial-Africa/dp/1568251653

 

hahaha we may have to start a side thread

 

@patham I have many fond memories of doing the Msuna to Milibisi run with my granddad. I think there's even an old photo of me somewhere with a Milibisi T-shirt on.

 

His houseboat was called "The Diffy" and he had it tied up to a giant steel buoy he made (he was a mining engineer), just down river from his chalet.

 

us kids would spend all night catching silver barbel and squeekers, and all day trying to catch decent sized bream. If we did catch a few good ones, my grandad would radio the cook at the chalet and he would hop in their little tender-boat and come and make some tasty bream crispy strips for us all.

 

My granddad loved to tinker with things and built himself what must have been a 20ft long boat out of steel plate, called the "Maramba". It was only powered by 2x 40HP Mariner's which he converted to paraffin. They were VERY noisy.

 

Loads of great and scary memories downriver too. One holiday in Chirundu my father managed to find every sandbank in that section of river in his little bass boat. I recall having to stand up and be in croc lookout as he jumped overboard to try get the boat unstuck 

 

It's crazy how it's a totally different world and a lifetime ago, but there are still the small similarities between those experiences in Zim and adventures that could be had in Australia and NZ.

[patches]

Patches this one is for you (and specifically, why you should not put your moto away for the winter). I've been riding around 4-6 times a week the last while. It's not all bad, that's for sure!

 

I'm jealous!

 

My weekends have been non-stop dry-walling for I don't know how long. My bikes are currently parked right up against each other to allow access to building materials, and I have a 2 bails of pink-batts resting on top of their saddles. It's sacrilegious.

 

Not to mention, NZTA sent me notification of rego-cancellation on the 350 as I haven't had time ti finish off the rebuild after it failed a WOF, haha.

 

The 450's 3 month rego hold is nearly up, so I'll be optimistically proactive and renew it and make an effort to get out for some rides!

[patham]

hahaha we may have to start a side thread

 

@patham I have many fond memories of doing the Msuna to Milibisi run with my granddad. I think there's even an old photo of me somewhere with a Milibisi T-shirt on.

 

His houseboat was called "The Diffy" and he had it tied up to a giant steel buoy he made (he was a mining engineer), just down river from his chalet.

 

us kids would spend all night catching silver barbel and squeekers, .

 

 

Loads of great and scary memories downriver too. One holiday in Chirundu my father managed to find every sandbank in that section of river in his little bass boat. I recall having to stand up and be in croc lookout as he jumped overboard to try get the boat unstuck 

 

 

 

 

Squeekers- the curse of the Zambesi. I recall a spontaneous night fishing trip, instigated after an evening at the pub, in which we all piled into the back of a landy and headed off, sans camping gear or food to the river.

 

As per usual, nothing but squeekers. I recall thinking the one I caught looked a little different than the rest, as it had strange discolorations. Anyways, it got chucked back in like the rest. A few months later I was reading the national angling records book at the WABC and realised I had caught a rare leopard squeeker, which is a separate recognised specie, due to its spots. It's also much smaller than the rest of the genus. If I had taken my catch to the WABC for verification I would have beaten the national record and have my name forever in the history books!

 

Anyway, it would have been a sad, hungover brekky, but we did find a local willing to sell his catch, so fresh grilled bream was on the cards after all.