Because I have cabin fever and the opportunity presented itself, mom and I went on a three day trip to Zimbabwe to see the legendary Victoria Falls. We availed ourselves of one of them special package deals, pay for two stay for three nights, all inclusive blah blah blah. We thought we were going into a country that is merely an extension of South Africa. I was naive, I now realise. Yes I have heard reports about how bad their economy is and that luxury items like butter, soap, Coca Cola, chocolate etc are hard to come by but honestly I thought the media was once again blowing this out of proportion, as they did during our "state of emergency" in the 1980's. Well.................. was I ever so wrong. We arrived at our luxury hotel, no electricity and no running water in our room. The electricity came back on but not the running water. I reported it on four different occasions and eventually kicked up a major stink with the hotel general manager. They fixed it. Everything was massively expensive. Lunch which consisted of two salads and two sodas set us back USD45! One tourist paid USD6 for a Coke at the airport. They ran out of soda water at my hotel so I couldn't have a Rock Shandy. As for diet Coke or Tab, forget it. Butter and jam was served very sparingly - and if you wanted more, it wasn't a problem, it just took forever to be served to you because clearly it is locked up and "issued" upon request in the kitchen. It's like this everywhere and the staff were telling us how they make do by planting vegetable gardens to keep themselves going and doing anything legal for money. Oi, what an eye opener.

BUT! The Victoria Falls were spectacular. Mom and I decided to rough it and not use umbrellas or raincoats. We got soaked, drenched. The water dripped off the sides of our peak caps and our eyelashes. The locals call the falls "Mosi au tunya" which means "the smoke that thunders". Dam right, they are loud and proud. When you stand next to them, you simply must believe in God, it is such a spectacular sight. They are the biggest falls in the world in their depth and width. Twice the size of Niagara and narrower but deeper than the Angel falls in South America. The Vic Falls are 1.7km wide and fall a depth of 107m. In the dry season (which is now) 500million litres of water spills over the edge per minute and this increases to 750million litres of water in the wet season. Quite a strong shower!

The Zambesi river (4th biggest in Africa) also teams with game. We went on a river cruise and saw crocodile, hippos and elephants. The waters are tranquil and calm but they belie what lies beneath. You don't see swans, ducks or geese on this water - nope - too many crocodiles.

The highlight of my trip - I treated myself to a helicopter flip over the falls. It lasted all of 15 minutes and it was an Oh wow experience. First time in a helicopter too.

I'm glad I went, I'm freaked out by the dreadful conditions imposed on these beautiful people, I wish I could help. I'd like to go back in ten years time, to see if there is any improvement. I pray there will be.

Alas my love you do me wrong, to cast me out so discourteously. For I have loved you so long, oh my lady Greensleeves. "Nearish" to my home is a medieval theme restaurant called Greensleeves and instead of working as your common garden variety waitress at a normal restaurant, I opted for the "drama" and "wenched" at Greensleeves as a teenager. This was during the eighties. It was kinda like theatre and I loved it. Some of the people I met there became very important to me and still influence, inspire and help to shape my life today. I worked there for 12 happy years, made friends, fell in love, learned to party and adore live music. It was there that I was introduced to the concept of work hard and play hard and quite importantly it was my training ground for learning to work under pressure. Those of you who have worked in restaurants will agree, the pressure is unlike any other industry. There is always an element of chaos. Some of the people are still there, one lady has worked at Greensleeves every weekend for 33 years!! It gets into your blood.

A few weeks ago, I had the occasion to go as a guest to Greensleeves with a group of friends. It was wonderful. Everything - and- nothing has changed. I could still recall the script of the show word for word. The food looks and tastes the same, but the feast halls and the kitchen have been updated and modernised. The costumes for the serving staff (wenches and lackeys) and the entertainment staff are fresh, new and sparkly and like all successful businesses they have succumbed to technology - all orders are computerised. No more handwritten orders. I can remember Aldie and I used to scream with laughter at some of the creative spellings and abbreviations used for the drinks orders by the wenches and lackeys. And then we would bawl them out for being unclear. It was also a great way of getting to know them, you could tell so much from their handwriting and the way they listed their orders. I can remember the girls were inclined to be slow and ultra neat and the boys fast and furious and very cocky.

I had a wonderful evening. It was a happy reunion - Aldie and I even considered going back to run for the lackeys and wenches for old times sake. Perhaps we will, watch this space.

Yesterday, whilst driving around, I passed a tow truck. The name of the tow company was "The Happy Hooker". It cracked me up, I think that is so clever. I'm almost sure a woman was driving the truck but I couldn't really tell.

Numerology......I'm hopeless at numbers but for fun and out of sheer curiosity I had my numerology chart done. Does one say that - my numerology chart? Turns out you don't really need to be that good at numbers. The numerologist does it all for you. And this is my chart. I'm delighted at how colourful it is. Looks like a box of Smarties(m&ms for my American friends). Not only is it bright and cheerful but my chart, when analysed and interpreted, is bang on the button. Actually quite scary. It does give me an indication of good and bad months and so on, but I'm really not interested in that and in the 32 page report, which reads like a dossier of my life, desires and personality, I haven't even so much as glanced at that part. But........I have devoured the rest. I'm not going to go into the detail, it would bore the bejesus out of you, however, the major "findings" are: I am good at writing, I am very spiritual and intuitive, I enjoy the arts, I am hyper sensitive and so on and so on. Before we got into discussing the details of my chart the numerologist asked me if music is part of my life and whether I play a musical instrument? I started piano lessons two years ago! Kinda freaky. He says it shows im my numbers. Guess it all adds up then.

My birthday was fabulous. We enjoyed high tea at the Westcliff Hotel. We felt so larny. I was spoiled rotten and as always I'm completely astounded at how loved and blessed I am. The day before my birthday I received a parcel from my friend Barb in America. We are e mail buddies. We have never met. Yet, her parcel was the kind of stuff that only a friend would know I appreciate. It was brilliant and very orange. Today, almost three weeks after my birthday, I received a parcel from my friend Brunhild in England. And it too, had the kind of stuff in it that only a friend would know I appreciate. That's what's so great about friends. They just get you. I'm in awe. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.