Morning Mirror 69 28th October 2003 |
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"I too used to have several mating pairs of lizards in the garden in Hillside. I'm fairly sure the grey one is the lady in her drab dress, while the dandy male becomes as bright as a peacock at this time of year. I have a theory that they are falling prey to the increased population of crows, which now seem to abound where we have an increase in uncollected garbage. I have found carcasses on my lawn, and feel perhaps the dandy was unable to scuttle fast enough to escape the beak of a predator. But I do still have at least one pair who rush up and down the walls and tree trunks - but I have never seen any children or teenagers - they always seem to be fully grown. JILL Miller Cranko cranko@gatorzw.com
Like you, we have had a long association with, and love for the B.H.L. We have had at least two resident pairs in the garden for many years. Last week Gordon witnessed a very large one complete with blue head and orange tail, but lost sight of him when he came to call me. Later he was discovered, now completely devoid of colour bedded down under a piece of rough bark completely camouflaged - we are sure it was the same one as he is so much larger than the other residents. I say he, as I was always of the impression the plain grey ones were females-!! So glad we are not the only "nuts" that consider these B.H.L. part of the family. On a sad note, we also have several pairs of Heuglin Robins (know as Hooligan Robins christened thus by an overseas visitor) who are very tame, Last week the babies of one pair were drowned in their nest due to cold and rain. Thelma & Gordon Norman As always I hope all is well with yourself, family and friends, just a quick question about these lizards, having not been to Bulawayo for many a year I am left boring my family of past days they know nothing about. This usually happens over the weekends when I'm well into a bottle of some New World red, or when the UK winter is setting-in just as you are enjoying the full bloom of summer. One of the tales I tell refers to my first visit to Matopos, Rhodes's Grave and World View and my first sighting of the blue headed lizards that were in abundance around the rocks there. You now say they have virtually disappeared from the suburbs around town, my question is are they still plentiful around Matopos (Matobos ?) or is this decline widespread. The reason I ask is I like to hold on to the belief that one day I'll take my youngest son to see the place he is named after (his name is James Matopos Fleming) and I'm sure from the stories I've told him, he would seek these blue headed lizards I have always spoken about. Best regards
Just to update you, Margaret and I still have the Westbourne pub in Birkenhead and as before, any ex-Zimbabweans in the area are assured of a very warm welcome. Margaret was diagnosed with a form of cancer of the throat in June this year and is just finishing her final Chemotherapy at Clatterbridge hospital, ( the best in UK and in the top 5 in the world), she has 7 more radiotherapy treatments, finishing on 4/11/03 and is holding up very well.Largely due to the standard and quality of food we had in Zimbabwe, no junk food! This has been a major factor in helping Margaret sustain her health throughout a very aggressive treatment regime. We are all very optimistic that she will make a full recovery and this has eased somewhat the agony of leaving Zimbabwe, had we stayed I am convinced Margaret would not be with us now. I keep up to date on Zim news every day and can only hope and pray that the end is in sight and a brand new day will dawn soon. Our love to all our friends still in Zim and our thoughts are with you all constantly. Dave and Margaret Parkinson
TO ANGELA AND ANDY HOPE A SON MARCUS BORN ON 18 OCTOBER 2003.
Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap. You choose.
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, march down there & turn it on yourself.
EVEN IF THERE IS GOING TO BE CRICKET THIS YEAR, LETS STILL GO TO BARBOURFIELDS AND SUPPORT OUR FABULOUS HIGHLANDERS.... THEY ARE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO WINNING THE PRESTIGIOUS CASTLE LAGER CUP (YET AGAIN) HIGHLANDERS WILL BE PLAYING AMAZULU AT BARBOURFIELDS THIS THURSDAY 30 OCTOBER.
Hidden beneath the mask of apathy, there is an unsuspected energy and a great human, moral and spiritual charge. Detaining and repressing people cannot change the soul of a nation. It may dampen it and disguise the reality outwardly, but history has repeatedly taught us the lesson that change often arrives unexpectedly. Vaclav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic |
