Botswana – Chanters Lodge Livingstone

Cara Watts – Lions Manager

“Not many people in the world with that job title”! We remarked, when Cara Watts, pictured here with George da Soulchild Kaufela (left) and Milli Jam, guested on the most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience, our regular Sunday night radio show, airing weekly on
Zambezi fm from 20.30 – 21.30 hrs. “No” Cara replied succinctly. Cara is a lions manager for Lion Encounter based at Thorn Tree Lodge, having previously studied Animal Management and Welfare at the University of Lincoln in UK. She’s been involved with Lion Encounter since first going to Zimbabwe with them as a volunteer some three years ago. She subsequently came back to Zambia for a lot more!

“How many lions do you look after”? Asked Milli Jam. “24 altogether aged between 4 months and 5 years” said Cara. “How dangerous are they”? Milli Jam wanted to know, sounding rather fearful, and Cara replied that it depended on which ‘stage’ of lions he was talking about. She explained that there’s a 4 stage process in bringing up the lions before some are put back in the wild. Cara’s job involves ensuring the health and welfare of the animals and she assured Milli Jam that lions can be dangerous! She explained that Lion Encounter offer 3 activities for visitors, a lion walk and a lion drive as well as a night lion encounter. I reminded Cara about the time Nigerian visitors to Chanters Lodge had witnessed lions hunting then killing a wildebeest in front of them during their lion drive. They’d been thrilled!

“How popular is the TV Series about the lion encounter on ITV in UK”? Milli Jam wanted to know, reminding Cara that not so long ago the crew who were visiting Zambia to record the series, had guested on the show. Cara said that Series 2, currently being broadcast, was a great success and although there was no firm decision, she thought that a third series was a possibility. “What music do you like”? Asked Milli Jam, completely changing the subject away from lions! Cara said her tastes were quite general but at the moment she was into Lady Gaga and Jason Derulo. “Great”! We said and proceeded not to play tracks by either!

Instead on this show we played ‘Believe In Me Now’ the latest from Taio Cruz, back to back with ‘Colder Weather’ by the Zac Brown Band, currently No 1 on the US country charts. George then chose Mampi’s ‘Swilili’ and Roberto’s ‘Love You More’ for his local tracks – the Mampi track is hot in Zambia! (She sings about her confusion as her boyfriend doesn’t contact her often any more or as often as he used to!)

Milli Jam chose ‘All Of The Lights’, the smash hit by Kanye West featuring Rihanna, then Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Don’t Look Down’. Rihanna and Britney Spears’ remix of ‘S&M’ was coupled with Beyonce featuring Swizz Beatz and ‘Move Your Body’. We closed with ‘Party Rock Anthem’ by LMFAO and friends, huge in UK right now.

Cara told listeners that she was happy to be on leave while her parents were visiting Africa and that they’d just returned from a safari in Kapama Private Game Reserve in South Africa where they’d spent five wonderful days, managing to see all of the ‘Big 5’ and taking some great photos. The day after the show Cara and her parents were heading to Chobe National Park in Botswana for a two day safari and were greatly looking forward to the trip. “Are you married”? Asked Milli Jam, inevitably. “No” replied Cara. “Spoken for”? I continued. “No” replied Cara. That was that. “Where would you like to be and what would you like to be doing 10 years from now”? Asked Milli Jam. “I’m not really sure” replied Cara thoughtfully “but I’d like to be in Africa and still working with animals”.

Lovely girl! Lovely show! Lovely lions!

19
APR

activities, Africa, Botswana, Chanters, Chobe, entertainment, guests, livingstone, radioshow, rsa, tourism, travel, victoriafalls, volunteers, wildlife, Zambia

Ann Fagan & Gavin Dempster Rock 107.7 fm!

The most recent edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient was super. Our Guests, Ann and Gavin pictured above, were lively, interesting and amusing – they rocked the house and so did the music! Our show airs every Sunday night between 20.30 and 21.30 hours on Zambezi 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s popular local radio station and is a mixture of music and chat.

Gavin and Ann, Guests at Chanters Lodge, told listeners that they came from Perth, Western Australia but had been travelling the world for the past 18 months. They’d arrived in Livingstone a few days previously, having taken an overland truck from Nairobi to Victoria Falls, visiting the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar and Malawi before arriving in Zimbabwe. Gavin was delighted to be back in Livingstone and told listeners that for him anyway the highlight of their overland trip had been Ann’s joy in seeing the sights and sounds of Africa for the very first time! “Awwwww” we said!

Gavin had been in Zambia for a month in 2010 exploring Livingstone for houses where he’d lived as a child in the 50’s – his dad had been an engine driver on the railways in Zambia at that time. He’d also taken a 9 day canoeing trip on the Lower Zambezi, describing it to listeners as one of the best things he’d ever done in his life! This year Ann and Gavin had enjoyed their cycle trip around the city the day after they’d arrived, visiting Linda Community Orphanage School for whom they’d brought various goodies!

The music on the show was hot! We featured Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Gone’ back to back with ‘Next 2U’ from Chris Brown and Justin Bieber at the top of the show. Milli Jam’s local selection of Dalisoul’s ‘Musunge Mushe’ (take care of her) and Kay’s ‘Kanyelele’ (ant) had the Chanters Girls rocking back at the lodge. We dropped ‘Boom’ the latest from Snoop Dogg featuring T-Pain, coupled with Tiesto’s UK smash ‘C’mon’ featuring Diplo and Buster Rhymes. We closed with Britney Spears – Until The World Ends. A great selection from Milli Jam also included Ne-Yo’s ‘Hello’ and Jay Lo’s popular ‘Run This World’ featuring The Dream and Rick Ross.

Gavin and Ann told listeners how much they’d enjoyed their recent two day, one night safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana to celebrate Ann’s birthday, where they’d seen a lot of elephant, buffalo and hippo though they’d missed out on big cats – they weren’t all that worried as they’d seen these in the Serengeti during their overland trip. Milli Jam asked this lovely couple if they’d retired – Gavin said ‘very much’ and Ann replied ‘semi’. They’d met when they were both working for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a large charity organization in Australia. “Was it love at first sight?” I asked. “We kind of grew into each other” Ann replied. “Yes” we said, laughing.

Our guests described their musical tastes as ‘eclectic’ but told listeners about concerts they’d recently attended in Perth given by Lionel Richie and Jo Cocker, making us very envious in the studio! We had a great response to our question when we asked those wanting to win a dinner for 2 at Chanters Lodge where our Guests hailed from. Gloria won. Our Guests greeted the staff at the lodge, praising them highly and thanked Zambians listening for giving them such a warm and wonderful welcome to the country.

15
MAR

2010, accommodation, activities, Africa, Australia, Botswana, Chobe, entertainment, Malawi, music, radioshow, Tanzania, victoriafalls, wildlife, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Neil McDonald & Joanne Stevens on 107.7 fm

It was a pleasure to welcome Neil and Joanne, pictured above, to The Chanters Lodge Experience last Sunday night. The Experience is our local radio show that goes on air every Sunday between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs. The programme is co-hosted by Milli Jam and George da Soulchild, two of Livingstone’s most popular DJ’s, on Zambezi FM broadcasting our show on 107.7 fm. I go along to the show for good measure!

Neil and Joanne hail from the USA, Neil from Monroe, Louisiana and Joanne from Boston, Massachusetts. They live in Alexandria, Virginia. Both are retired – Neil told listeners he’d actually retired twice, once from the Federal Government and once from Delta Airlines, whom he’d joined after his Government service. A lawyer by profession he was very interesting about his career and his world wide travels. Joanne has also retired from her career in real estate, but confessed to still having an interest in two homes. This loving couple told listeners about their children and grandchildren scattered across America. Neil was particularly interesting about one of his sons, Lee, who apart from his regular job, is an American football kicking coach. Check his fascinating website Special Teams Solutions.

Neil and Joanne spoke about their trip from New York to South Africa on the magnificent Queen Mary 2 – the biggest ocean going liner in history. Their cruise had taken them from New York to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then on to South America, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil before reaching Cape Town. Once there, Neil and Joanne had stayed with a friend before coming to Livingstone and Chanters Lodge.

The music on the show was great. We played Lady Gaga’s latest – ‘Born This Way’ back to back with the UK number 1, Jesse J’s ‘Price Tag’. Our Zambian tracks were Ty2’s latest ‘U Say U Love’ featuring Kanji and Kaufela’s ‘Your Smile’ featuring Roberto. Kaufela, for the uninitiated, is George da Soulchild’s stage name. Great track it is too, we all agreed. Wizkid’s ‘Holla At Your Boy’ and Flo Rida’s ‘Dancing For Me’ were Milli Jam’s selections and we also featured Rascal Flatts with their smash ‘I Won’t Let Go’ and Adele’s ‘If It Hadn’t Been For Love’. Wizkid? Aka Ayodeji Balogun a very hot young Nigerian singer!

Joanne and Neil told listeners about their wonderful one day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana where they’d been ‘lucky’ to see lion as well as a fairly angry elephant. They’d also enjoyed their sunset cruise on Lady Livingstone. When they visited Victoria Falls they got very wet from the spray. They’d very much enjoyed their stay at Chanters, loved the staff and would be sorry to leave the next day.

We gave away the usual dinner for dinner for two to the first person to text us and tell us where Neil and Joanne were from, Mpezeni correctly answered USA and won. We greeted guests and staff at the lodge and thanked everyone involved in the show for their efforts.

15
FEB

activities, Africa, airlines, Botswana, Chanters, entertainment, guests, music, radioshow, staff, tourism, usa, victoriafalls, Zambia

Tilman Schimmel

Meet Tilman Schimmel (pictured above), economist, soon-to-be fully fledged lawyer and thoroughly nice guy from near Stuttgart, Germany. Tilman was our guest on the 1st 2011 edition of the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild, our Sunday night radio show that airs on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm weekly between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs. 107.7 fm is Livingstone’s best loved local radio station with a listener radius of about 70 kms, strong enough to be heard in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Kasane in Botswana.

Tilman was staying at Chanters Lodge for a week, prior to travelling to Johannesburg, South Africa, to take up a 3 month internship with LindsayKeller top attorneys – ‘solution orientated thinking’ quote/unquote! Tilman told listeners that he was very much looking forward to the challenge, though somewhat concerned about the reported dangers of life in Johannesburg. This attachment forms part of the law degree course that he has nearly completed at Eberhard-Karls University, Tubingen.

Still young, Tilman loves to travel which he’s been doing since age 16 and we were surprised to hear that he’d already visited 73 different countries! He professed to love South Africa, Nepal and Seychelles the most. Couldn’t differ with him on the last one, having spent two and a half happy years in Seychelles – ‘The Islands of Love’ – as Food and Beverage Manager, Reef Hotel back in the 70’s.

“Are you married”? Milli Jam asked Tilman. He replied he was not, but told listeners he had a girlfriend back in Stuttgart, a teacher, unable to travel to Zambia with him as she was ‘dogsitting’. A phrase, I suspect, not too easily understood by our Zambian listeners! He was very much hoping she’d be able to join him for a while during his time in Johannesburg.

The music on the show was good. After our opening theme by Aggro Santos we spun ‘Immabadboy’ a single by Mr.Vezzy featuring Mugeez from R2Bees the Ghanian outfit. Vezzy is a DJ on Qfm one of Lusaka’s hot radio stations and this single’s making waves – “brought to you by Richard Chanter via Twitter” I added! We played it back to back with Sean Kingston’s ‘Party All Night’ which Zambians were still doing as our show aired! George’s Zambian selection was ‘old and new’ – the old – Black Muntu’s ‘Chibzibe’, the new – B’flow’s ‘No More Kawilo’. I really liked that one, “what does it mean”? I enquired. ‘No more being single’ I was told, though as usual there appeared to be some debate!

Milli Jam wanted to know what activities Tilman had done or had planned while he was in Zambia. It was clear that he was very interested in the local culture and had even been playing ‘solo’, a traditional game, in Livingstone Zimbabwe Market with local characters. The following day he had a trip planned to Zimbabwe to see ‘the other side’ of Victoria Falls, and the day afterwards a visit to Botswana on the Chobe 1 day safari offered by Chanters Lodge. Tilman has a keen interest in animals and wildlife.

The music continued with ‘Fireworks’ by Alicia Keys ft Drake and the ‘still at number one in UK’ Matt Cardle’s cover of the Biffy Clyro number ‘When We Collide’ (originally ‘Many Of Horror’ – gotta be one of the weirdist pop titles ever!) We gave away the usual dinner for two – won by Lydia for rightly texting us that Tilman was from Germany and updated listeners on pop chart information from UK and USA, and this week Germany too in deference to Tilman.

“So you’re a qualified economist and soon-to-be fully fledged lawyer” Milli Jam observed to Tilman, “what sort of job would you like when your course is through”? After a pause for thought Tilman replied that he’d love to hold a post with an international company which afforded him the opportunity to travel. Great stuff – and I wouldn’t bet against this serious young man achieving his ambition.

4
JAN

Africa, Botswana, Chanters, Germany, guests, livingstone, music, radioshow, rsa, victoriafalls, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Craig Brown & Abby Wills

Craig and Abby, pictured above, staying at Chanters Lodge, guested on the latest edition of our Sunday night radio show – the Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George da Soulchild – which airs every Sunday night from 20.30 – 21.30 hours on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s leading local radio station. It was the last show of 2010!

Craig’s a New Zealander, Abby’s English, and although not married they’re partners and currently live in Johannesburg, South Africa where Craig’s a consulting engineer with Mott MacDonald an employee-owned management, engineering and development consultancy serving the public and private sector around the world. “Do you work?” Milli Jam asked Abby. “No” she replied “I’m a lady of leisure in Johannesburg with a great social life and loads of friends, mainly because of work permit problems”. “That must be a a bit boring, wouldn’t you prefer to be working”? I chipped in. “Not in the slightest”! Was Abby’s instant reply which had us laughing.

Quite a lot of chat on the show was about rugby. Obviously we wanted to know from Craig, a former player with London Scottish, why New Zealand had never won the Rugby World Cup! Craig claimed that they had, in the 80’s, but Abby quickly scotched this idea by reminding him that South Africa didn’t feature then, so somehow it wasn’t a genuine victory! Nice one Abby!

Craig and Abby told listeners about their fascinating travels to both Cambodia and Rwanda earlier in the year with the Penguins Rugby Club, teaching rugby in these developing countries to disadvantaged youngsters. They’d been surprised at the amount of raw talent seen in both places. The Penguins is a ‘by invitation only’ club and you can read more about it by following the link above. What did surprise us was to hear that Abby had also been a rugby player when she was younger until injury forced an early retirement. We also had respect for Craig on learning that he’d recently completed the Paris Marathon in under 3.5 hours.

The music on the show was good, as usual. We got off to a flier with the Ghanain band R2Bees ft Wande Coal’s ‘Kiss Your Hand’ back to back with the awesome ‘Man Down’ from Rihanna’s latest smash album. George chose Petersen’s ‘Wanna Dance With You’ and Kelvin Mwesa’s ‘Wonderful Time’ for his two local tracks. Milli Jam chose Jamie Foxx with ‘Winner’ and Akon’s (imo horrible) ‘No Labels’. We also played ‘Many of Horror’ by Biffy Clyro to give listeners a feel for the UK Christmas No.1. I commented that our closing track Sean Kingston’s great ‘Party All Night’ (and sleep all day) was a good track for this time of year in Livingstone.

Craig and Abby told listeners about their one day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana where they’d been lucky enough to see a pride of 8 lions – a record for our guests on that trip. This delightful couple had also enjoyed their helicopter flight over the Falls, as well as a sunset cruise and a morning river safari. Abby told listeners that on their last morning, the next day, she intended to bungee jump. (And she did!)

I took the chance to wish our listeners a belated Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2011, and also to thank the staff at the lodge for their extra-ordinary hard work during the holiday period. As we went on air the lodge was packed and for once the girls didn’t have too much chance to enjoy the show!

28
DEC

2011, accommodation, activities, Africa, Botswana, Customers, entertainment, music, radioshow, rsa, travel, victoriafalls, wildlife, zambezi, Zambia

Elisabeth Gaarder & Xenia Ploger

“We’ve never done it before and we’re very nervous” said Elisabeth (left) and Xenia pictured above, as we headed towards our Sunday night assignation in my car. “Don’t worry, it’s fun and very nice” I replied “just sit back and enjoy it”. Thinking something different? Tut tut! Actually, we were heading towards the studios of Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm in Livingstone, Zambia, for the latest edition of The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George Da Soulchild, as the girls were guesting for us on the show! Elisabeth and Xenia are part of a team of 5 Norwegian 3rd year Tromso University students staying at Chanters Lodge, while they teach pre-school children for a month at Rainbow School in Livingstone, as part of their university course. Our radio show goes out live every Sunday evening between 20.30 and 21.30 hrs, and features music and chat.

“Do you have boyfriends back in Norway”? Milli Jam asked the girls. “What boyfriends”? This made George on technical pay attention and he played ‘Chipyango’ by Dalisoul. The girls were rocking. “They seem to like that number”. I remarked. “I know they do!” Replied George, laughing. “Have you been clubbing every weekend while you’ve been in Livingstone”? Milli Jam enquired. “Oh yes”! Elisabeth and Xenia replied, also laughing, and I knew instantly how George Da Soulchild knew the girls liked Dalisoul!! “What’s the track about”? I wanted to know. “He’s telling girls not to allow themselves to be treated like a local broom – used once, then ditched”. Was the succinct reply. I speculated that the Chanters Girls would have been dancing to that track back at the lodge too, and I think I was right! The other Zambian number we played on the show was a coup – UZ47 with ‘Killa Love’ – first ever airing of the track on radio anywhere in Zambia! Well done George! Our expert on the local music scene.

We played ‘Gone’ by Nelly and Kelly, as well as ‘Shine A Light’ – McFly ft Taio Cruz. Milli Jam selected an old favourite Chaka Khan – ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and Dr Dre’s latest – ‘Kush’ – that was a nice one! ‘Like A G6’ – Far East Movement and ‘The Flood’ by Take That proved we’re right up to date on the Chanters Lodge Experience!

“What activities have you done since you’ve been in Livingstone”? Milli Jam asked our Guests, “apart from clubbing”? The girls told listeners they’d been to Chobe National Park in Botswana for a 2 day 1 night safari the first weekend they’d been in Zambia, and had really enjoyed the trip despite the scary insects! That afternoon they’d had high tea on Livingstone Island and swum in Devil’s Pool. They’d loved it! One of the girls had also flown in a microlight over Victoria Falls on the ‘Flight Of Angels’ and one intended to go Bungee Jumping. “It’s all scary” they commented, laughing at the same time.

The girls explained to listeners that they’d known each other since they were in high school, aged 15 or so, and that they shared a house in Tromso while they were studying, although they were both originally from Oslo. Neither of them had been to Africa before but they’d both travelled widely through Europe. The future immediately after leaving University? They weren’t sure. Longer term? Marriage and children seemed to be on both their agendas. “Better start looking for boyfriends soon then” I remarked, to in-studio laughter.

We gave away our usual dinner for two to the first person to text us the name of the country the girls hailed from and there was a huge response. ‘Nowe’ was one of them! Great that so many people were listening to the show! George, a Liverpool supporter, wanted to talk about football in general and Arsenal in particular, but Milli Jam and I did not!

A good time was had by all, and of course there had been no need for the girls to be nervous!

23
NOV

accommodation, activities, Africa, Arsenal, Botswana, Chanters, education, music, radioshow, staff, training, victoriafalls, volunteers, wildlife, Zambia

Eirin Ravndal, Zlata Sovinskaya & Turid Nilsen play 107.7 fm

Meet, from left to right in the above photo, Eirin, Zlata and Turid, three of the five Norwegian student teachers currently staying at Chanters Lodge, Livingstone while they gain teacher experience at Rainbow School just across the road from Chanters. The girls were guesting on The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George The Soulchild last Sunday. The show airs every Sunday on Zambezi Radio
107.7 fm, live from 20.30 – 21.30 hrs and features music and chat.

Having only been in Zambia for a week the girls were worried about speaking in English on the show and to add to their concern none of them had ever been on radio before! They had no need to be nervous, they were very happy and funny and there was a great audience response. How do I know? Well, every Sunday we give away a dinner for 2 at Chanters Lodge for the first person to text us the answer to a simple question – in this case which country did our Guests hail from. I judge the audience response from the number of text messages we get answering the question, and on this show there were plenty! Was Zambia what the girls had expected? They hadn’t known what to expect!

“What grades are you teaching”? Milli Jam asked the girls, and they explained that they were teaching pre-school. Little ones. “Is there a big difference between teaching methods in Norway and here” I wanted to know, and the girls commented that in Norway there was much more play teaching than here where the pre-school was more serious. Which was the better method? A combination would be best the girls agreed. They told listeners they were teaching in the mornings, and in the afternoons were enjoying the sun by the pool at Chanters Lodge. Had they had time to do any of the wide range of activities available for visitors to Livingstone? The girls informed us that they’d just spent two days and one night in Chobe National Park. Had they seen lots of animals – they had – and loads of insects as well! “Were you scared”? I wanted to know. “Of the insects, yes”! They shrieked, and then roared with laughter!

“Have you got boyfriends back in Norway”? Milli Jam and George inevitably asked fairly early on in the show. Eirina and Turid had, Zlata had not. “Zlata” I pointed out enquiringly “you don’t sound Norwegian”. Zlata explained that she was in fact Russian, although she’d lived in Norway for about 10 years. “I think I’d like to learn Russian” George said quickly!!

The girls enjoyed the music on the show. As usual we opened with Candy by Aggro Santos then this week followed up quickly with ‘S&M’ by Rihanna (sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me!) And Nelly’s ‘Just A Dream’. The two Zambian tracks George chose this week were ‘Naya’ by Judy (meaning ‘I’m leaving’) and ‘Wilala’ by Masi. (‘Don’t sleep before you resolve the problem’). Milli Jam selected Soulja Boy’s massive hit ‘Kiss Me Thru The Phone’ and Bow-Wow featuring Chris Brown with ‘Ain’t Thinking About You’. We also played ‘Happiness’ by Alexis Jordan and Rihanna’s ‘Love The Way You Lie (Part 2).

The guys wanted to know if the girls had been dancing at any of Livingstone’s night clubs and yes they had, the first weekend they were in town. Milli Jam quickly followed up with an invitation for them to visit Steprite, the club he manages in Livingstone when he’s not being a DJ on 107.7 fm. This coming weekend the girls intend to visit Victoria Falls which they haven’t yet seen.

Were they missing home? Yes, but not the -15C temperatures, or for that matter the dark days when the sun barely makes it over the horizon in Northern Norway. Pretty, intelligent, talkative and happy, these Nordic lasses were great Guests on the Chanters Lodge Experience.

16
NOV

activities, Africa, Botswana, Chobe, education, guests, music, Norway, radioshow, victoriafalls, wildlife, Zambia

Hendrik Segers & Emily Thigs Rock 107.7 fm

Meet Hendrik and Emily from Ghent in Belgium, pictured above in the studios of Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm in Livingstone on Sunday night 7th November, as they guested on our weekly radio show – The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George Soulchild. Emily and Hendrik, staying at Chanters Lodge for their holiday, have been an item for about 3 years. “How did you meet”? Milli Jam wanted to know. “At a party”, they explained. “Was it love at first sight”? I asked. They paused for thought. “Well yes it was really!” Sweet! “Marriage”? I continued. Emily roared with laughter, Hendrik looked shy and started muttering something about a ring! They look happy in the picture, don’t they?

“What made you choose Zambia and Chanters Lodge for your holiday”? Milimo asked, and Hendrik explained that he and Edward Chanter (my son) were friends on the internet through a mutual enjoyment of World Of Warcraft. Hendrik had seen Edward’s pictures of Zambia on his Facebook page, liked the look of it, and made a booking. Makes a change from TripAdvisor doesn’t it?! “World Of Warcraft”? Milli Jam enquired. World of Warcraft, often referred to as WoW, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft Universe, Hendrik explained. “Is it addictive”? I asked and Hendrik said that it certainly could be – there had been family crises when parents stopped children from playing. “Do you play”? We asked Emily. “Occasionally” she said.

Emily is a carer at De Beweging and Hendrik is in ICT with Eandis, one of Belgium’s largest energy companies. We didn’t talk so much about their work. Milli Jam wanted to know what activities this lively couple had undertaken while they’d been in Livingstone, and they explained that they’d been on the Chobe 1 day safari, the sunset cruise and horse riding, so far. They’d had to stop horse riding before the scheduled time due to the heat. Understandable given the recent searing 40+ temperatures in Livingstone.

The music on the show was good as usual. We featured the current number 1 in UK ‘Only Girl In The World’ by Rihanna as well as the number 1 from the previous week ‘Promise This’ by Cheryl Cole. There were local tracks from B-Flow with ‘No More Kawilo’ as well as Judy & Ston – ‘Doubting’. More on this from George on the blog later this week I’m sure. Milli Jam chose ‘Strike It Up’ by Black Box and CJ Lewis with ‘Calm Waters’. (At this point we received an sms from the Lodge reporting that the stand by generator was not working well, so the waters were far from calm!). We turned it up with Ciara featuring Usher and turned it on with Iyaz. We featured ‘Your Love’ by the awesome Nicki Minaj with Jay Sean and closed with ‘Night Nurse’ – a tribute to the late Gregory Isaacs.

Soccer? George was jubilant – a Liverpool supporter, as his team had beaten Chelsea that afternoon. Milli Jam and I – Arsenal – were fed up that the Gunners had surprisingly lost a home game to Newcastle United. Milli Jam went on to remind our Belgian guests that Charles Musonda, one of Zambia’s best ever footballers, made his career with Anderlecht in Belgium in the 80’s, and that two of his sons were currently playing for the club.

“Where would you like to be and what would you like to be doing 10 years from now”? Milli Jam summarised our popular show with the usual question. They answered at the same time “travelling” said Emily “married with children” said Hendrik – and then they both burst out laughing – again!

9
NOV

activities, Botswana, Chanters, Chobe, family, guests, music, radioshow, weather, wildlife, Zambia

Wise Words And Country Ways Weather Lore

My sister Ruth’s latest book – titled as above – is about to be published and the Dorset Echo recently ran a piece about the book and Ruth. Here are some extracts. There’s a nice photo of her taken earlier this year during a much enjoyed Chobe 1 Day Safari together in Botswana.

“Ruth Binney, 67, from West Stafford, is releasing her seventh book, Wise Words And Country Ways Weather Lore. The work is an illustrated collection of old sayings relating to rural life and the great British climate, with descriptions of how they came about. It also explores proverbs and superstitions relating to the weather.

Ruth said: “I have always been fascinated by the weather and I suppose it really goes back to my dear old father who always had lots of sayings like ‘as the days lengthen the cold strengthens’ and ‘ring round the moon, snow soon’. “Definitely living in the country you are much more in touch with the weather and also I’m a gardener, which makes a big difference. I just love the mixture that these sayings give between old-fashioned knowledge and historicism about the weather, and how that combines with what we know today through science.”

Ruth does explode a few of the old mythologies about the countryside and sayings that are not true. She said: “There are obvious things like the business about cows lying down means it’s going to rain is actually a lot of rubbish. “Cows alternately stand up to eat and then lie down to chew. “As they are herd animals what one does most of the others do. “Another one that’s a lot of rubbish is lots of berries on holly means its going to be a cold winter. “It depends on what weather we have had not what we are going to get.”

However, she said a lot of the old sayings that have been passed down the generations still ring true today. Ruth said: “One very good one is if lady birds hibernate then it will be a cold winter – studies show that is really very true. “Another good one is ‘a bee was never caught in a shower’ as bees are very sensitive to the weather and if it’s going to rain. “Also that the scarlet pimpernel closes when it’s going to rain or the air becomes damp.”

Ruth, who moved to Dorset in 2002 and produced the first book two years later, enjoys her surroundings and draws on it for her writing. She said: “I get inspiration from the countryside and from my garden here and I also walk a lot, I find that’s inspiring and it’s weather-related.”

Great stuff!

7
NOV

Botswana, Chobe, family, uk, weather

Jorma Vuorio & Manu Kitinoja

Meet Jorma and Manu (surnames as above) from Finland who guested on the most recent edition of The Chanters Lodge Experience with the Milli Jam Ingredient featuring George Soulchild, our Sunday night radio show going out weekly at 20.30 hrs on Zambezi Radio 107.7 fm, Livingstone’s best loved local radio station.

Yes, the names were very difficult to pronounce! (You were going to ask, weren’t you?) But we struggled through. We never realised that Finns had such a dry and wry sense of humour either, and we were rocking with laughter at some of the succinct answers we got to our interrogation! Jorma and Manu have known each other since they were at University together in Finland 30 odd years ago, studying Special Education. Jorma is now retired but Manu is still working as Director, Residential School, Limingan Koulutuskeskus. It’s a reform school for ‘bad boys and girls’ Manu told us. “Do they have bad boys and girls in Finland”? I asked, surprised. Apparently they do. Manu is divorced but about to re-marry, and Jorma has been married for a long time and has two daughters, but no grandchildren yet.

Manu had been to Chobe in Botswana for the one day safari on Sunday, and Milli Jam wanted to know if he’d enjoyed the trip. (Manu and Jorma didn’t go together on this outing, as Jorma’s sister was coming to join him at Chanters in Livingstone later in the week, and they planned to go together.) Manu told listeners he’d had a great time even though the weather was windy and wet. The highlight of the trip had come in the afternoon, during the game drive when he and the group had seen a leopard in a tree lunching on impala! That was very lucky!

What other activities had the guys done in Livingstone? Bungee? Milli Jam wanted to know. “No” was the one word answer. “Why not”? “We don’t”. We understood.

Manu and Jorma have both travelled widely – Jorma more than 40 countries. They’d been to Africa before – mostly North Africa though, as well as South Africa itself. They’d spent a week or so in Zimbabwe before arriving in Zambia – in Bulawayo and at Victoria Falls – and had had a good time. This gave us the chance to greet our listeners in Victoria Falls. “Is it cold in Finland at the moment”? We wanted to know. -3C apparently, but in winter it goes down as far as -40C. That’s cold, we agreed.

The music on the show was good. We opened as usual with Aggro Santos ‘Candy’ and the first two tracks were Nelly ‘Just A Dream’ back to back with Jay Sean & Nicki Minaj ‘2012’. George’s tracks were Runnel ‘Why Ninvela So’? and Dandy Crazy ‘Osayenda’. ‘Why do I feel this way’ and ‘Don’t go’ translated respectively. Milli Jam chose TLC ‘Creep’ and Foxy Brown ‘Gotta Get You Home’. Taylor Swift ‘Back In December’ is one of my favourite tracks at the moment and Pink ‘Raise Your Glass’ is thoroughly latest. George also took the chance to tell listeners of the significance of ONE8 as per his recent blog.

“How did you come to choose Chanters Lodge”? Milli Jam asked our Guests. “I take a lot of notice of reviews on TripAdvisor” Jorma replied “and the lodge has very good reviews on that site”. “Happy with your choice”? “Yes”! Another one word answer. At least it wasn’t “no”! “And Jorma added, I’ve been following Richard on Facebook ever since we made our reservation”.

Where would these gentlemen like to be and what would they like to be doing 10 years from now? In good health and still travelling.

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NOV

accommodation, activities, Africa, Botswana, Chanters, Finland, guests, health, music, radioshow, victoriafalls, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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