It’s tough raising kids, especially in this day and age. We’ve raised four (or rather they’ve managed to do it themselves with occasional interference from us) so we should know how by now. But in spite of years of ‘experience’, there are always surprises that unhinge one when it’s least expected.
We considered ourselves very lucky when it seemed the last two offspring were to be raised in the “bush” – after all, we had experienced the challenges that the urban jungle presented our older two (albeit remotely, as the Nyika Plateau was our home at the time). Not pretty: you could forgive our anxiety when we were faced with the unexpected prospect of moving with our young ones to Maun, described innocuously to us as “just a dusty little frontier town”
This is a town of charm and khaki fever. And yes we have firsthand experience. With firstborn safely away in Oz, it was inevitable that his sister would be a vulnerable victim. Within weeks, as true as her eyes are blue, she captured the heart of princely khaki-clad rugged ranger and was promptly whisked off into the sunset. Two down…. two to go.
Arming the fort against further invasion we had completely forgotten the stealthy, (but equally as alluring) cattle post guys. So you may imagine our shock, and subsequent delight, at being woken up in the middle of the night with a bump and a squeal. Our fears, it would seem, were not unfounded after all.
Who’s a clever girl!
Tina is the proud Mum of a gorgeous young colt who is yet to be named – sired by local Maun legend ‘Guns N’ Roses’. He was only a few hours old when the heavens opened with our first desperately much needed November Rain! A lucky charm(er) indeed!