December 19

A peaceful day at home.  

The swimming pool pump has stopped working and the pool is a delicate green.  It has not rained for a couple of weeks now and the heat is uncomfortable.

We are going to the Bvumba for Christmas so I start making numerous lists - things to do before we go, things to buy, things to pack, things to remember. Inevitably, I will leave something behind. I eventually went with the booking for a cottage near Leopard Rock.  This is run by the lady who sent me the message: So are you coming????  Although I have tried to forgive her her exaggerated use of question marks, I am now beginning to wonder if I shouldn't have gone with my original instinct.  Punctuation can tell you a lot about someone. This is our conversation so far:

Me: How big is the fridge:

Ritz: Standard size with small freezer on the top.  Our Zesa is terrible so please stock up with ice and diesel before you come.
Me: (not expecting this?) Do we provide diesel for the generator?
Ritz: Yes.  I already run two generators and I have my truck to fill.  I cannot afford to run anything else.😩😩😩
Me: (after a long pause) How easy is it to get fuel in Mutare?
Ritz: Not easy.  Had run out today when I went. 😱😱😱
Me: Do you have solar or paraffin lamps?
Ritz: No, we supply candles. 😀
Me: Do you have a Rhodesian boiler?  I assume there is hot water.
Ritz: Sadly no, but pots and buckets for bucket bath.  That is next on my list.  Roof too steep for solar. I did price boilers in SA . . . hopefully, one day😍😍😍 A new bottle of gas will be delivered tomorrow so lots of gas to heat water up 😀😀😀

All this after I have already paid a deposit.  I can see why she has not mentioned any of this information before. Christmas without even a shower to look forward to looms.