David Lemon - Cowbells Down the Zambezi

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

This one is for Zara Taylor a much loved young lady.

I am proud of you Little Babe.

Other Books by David Lemon

Cover design by Gillian Lemon.

No journey such as the one described in these pages can ever be a totally solo affair. I took the knocks perhaps, but I also had the fun and was privileged to meet some incredible people. Almost without exception, the people of Zambia took me to their hearts and although I have mentioned a few of them in this book, there were so many folk who helped my little adventure along.

In Zambia there were of course my Cowbell team. I have mentioned them from time to time in the text, but let me introduce you to them properly. Under the captaincy of Andy Taylor, they were in no particular order - David Shula, Tara Allin, Victor Mwansa, Martin Mwale, Albert Kapatwa and Estime Tshovu. Without them, I probably would not have survived.

Also in Zambia were Talitha Ullrich, Sean and Ronnie Whittome, Graham, Terri and Lesley Gwilliam, Monica Mwenda, Alpha Ngoma, Priscilla Rainey, Shelagh and Katrina (Kaz) Brown, Sam Craven, Sport Beattie, Rachel Murton and a host of others who jumped in to assist when assistance was needed. There were many others who helped in one way or another and whether mentioned or not, please be assured that you are remembered and I am truly grateful.

In Britain, many folk looked at me with vague sympathy when I mentioned that I was going to walk the Zambezi, but my family as always were supportive (they are accustomed to my occasional eccentricities) and my wife, Lace greeted news of my latest escapade with the wry patience, she has developed over the years.

Paul Henshaw of the Together Agency deserves special mention and his sister Sarah sent me a reading that I carried with me and referred to on occasion throughout the days of my walk. Gillian Lemon designed the cover of this book and sorted out the photographs for me, while my son Brian and Andy Reynolds struggled in vain to teach me something about the GPS. Of special assistance with the typescript were Audrey McGeorge, Ruth Pulis and the team at Grosvenor House. Once again, if I have not mentioned someone who assisted in whatever way, please be assured that I am very grateful.

In South Africa, assistance came from many quarters. Tom Naude and his happy band at Fluxcon were generous with their time and equipment, Jean Gaiser and I had long discussions on what to take, while Nicola Featonby-Smith took time out from her hectic schedule to help and advise whenever she could.

Susan and John Hammill in Johannesburg and Sue and Marque Dalais in Durban put up with my untidiness in their homes and kept me sane when my mind ached with worry. Peter Cawood, Heather Badenhorst and Paul Matulavitch assisted where they could and my two lovely nieces Monique and Tanya cheered me up by giving birth while I was walking through the bush. Barry and Marina Woan and Granny bless her entertained me right royally in Margate and Gale Rice with John Sharp also deserve special mention.

And of course there were the Promasidor Team in Johannesburg. They are too numerous to mention, but they made me feel at home and nobody made any comments about my age or my then portly build, which gave me huge encouragement.

Last but not least is Short Joan Edridge, who thanks to the miracles of email, ploughed doggedly through my manuscript in search of errors and mistakes of which she found a number.

All I can say to you all is thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Driving away from the source of the mighty Zambezi River, I felt a sense of awe at what we had just put into motion. Behind us, we had left David Lemon to start his epic adventure and I wasnt sure that he would survive the months ahead.

Hours earlier we had bounced our way through North Western Zambia with a Land Cruiser full of Cowbell staff, an avid photographer and a few well-wishers. Now we quietly pondered the enormity of the task our intrepid adventurer had set himself. I couldnt help wondering how an elderly man could possibly walk alone through three thousand kilometres of very wild Africa and survive.

But survive he has and so far, his Zambezi Cowbell Trek has taken David through some of the most remotely beautiful parts of the continent. Although a major aim of the walk is to publicise the plight of elephants, Davids efforts will also be a big boost for Zambian tourism. The wonders of the Victoria Falls are known around the world, but there remain many hidden gems such as the Mongu River Market and the Sioma Ngonye Falls that are featured in this book.

Probably the best part of the adventure for Cowbell as sponsors, has been our re-supply efforts. This has taken the team to many wonderful parts of Zambia that we probably would not have seen any other way. We have watched our adventurer lose a great deal of weight, while seemingly growing stronger by the day. His spirits have flagged on occasion, but his indomitable will to succeed has kept him going.

Now that David is over halfway to the ocean and journeys end, the first part of his story needs to be told. As sponsors of the walk, we sincerely hope that Cowbells Down the Zambezi will become part of the curriculum in Zambian and other African schools. My generation and generations before have had their chance to enjoy and develop our environment, but none of us have done a very good job. Perhaps our children can do better and reading this book will give them an idea as to exactly what needs sorting out in our beautiful country.

David Lemon is very much an Elephant Man and it is with pride and excitement that Cowbell is giving support to his attempts to show the world what is happening to Africas elephants. Regrettably, they are in serious trouble and only a few folk seem to care. Governments give us platitudes that are accepted worldwide, but it needs people on the ground to tell us exactly what is happening. This is a major aim of the Zambezi Cowbell Trek.

Promasidor is the parent company of Cowbell and we believe that the finest milk powder in the world has kept David going on his walk. He complains in the book about the banner that we used, but I am sure he secretly enjoyed parading in front of it.