On October 24th, 2024, on the way back from Troutbeck Lodge, we saw a fruit stand on the left side of the road. We stopped and bought ten kilograms of oranges – the next few days we’ll have freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast -, six nectarines and two jars of jam. (One of them made from oranges, because I love these, unlike Brigitta!)

It was raining heavily. Next to the fruit stand two stonemasons stood at their work. They were dripping wet and we felt sorry for them. Why not buy something from them and brighten up their day? Thought, done. Brigitta looked around for a bird basin for our garden in Swakopmund. She found a suitable one and also bought a stone pangolin – she loves these animals almost as much as me! The stonemasons were happy and gifted Brigitta a little hippopotamus – we will also find a place for it!

Speaking of stonemasons: Zimbabwe is known for soapstone. And beautiful objects are carved from this. We already have some of these from previous trips in our apartment.

PS: If you want to know more about soapstone and sculpture in Zimbabwe, read here.