Meeting Liam

Meeting Liam



We arrived in Victoria Falls from Harare safe and sound. Liam and Ashleigh met us just outside arrivals. It was just so surreal meeting Liam as we definitely have lots of similarities looks-wise. It’s odd going your whole life not seeing anyone who looks like you and then you’re face to face with your brother. Liam’s 6’3” just like me. And despite what granny says, we both share tall, blonde handsome features. LOL. I wondered… should I shake his hand, hug him, or what? I just winged it and ended up shaking his hand, and then turned and gave Ashleigh a big hug. We all piled into the truck and headed to the Zim side of Victoria Falls. Liam and I had a good chat and walk around the falls – Liam used to fly tourist flights over the Falls, so was quite knowledgeable and explained quite a lot about the view. I instantly felt comfortable with him and was just so chuffed (as Liam would say) to meet him and start getting to know him. That evening I ran some farm chores with Liam – it was so funny to watch all of the staff stop in their tracks and study both of us. I swear the guard to the tobacco barns thought he’d seen a ghost as he gazed into the cab of the truck and saw me sitting their next to Liam. Or, perhaps they’re all freaked out that there may be a Liam “twin” running around to boss them around more. LOL






Day 2 – Livingstone


Woke up at 5:30 at first light, grabbed coffee with Liam (he, too, NEEDS coffee every a.m.) and then ran more farm chores with him. I could tell the entire farm was still abuzz about the story, and my arrival. As we walked the tobacco sorting facility, out of the corner of my eye I noticed all the ladies looking at me, then at Liam, and then back at me. We then came back to the house for a proper farm breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast before heading out on a farm tour – banana fields, ripening rooms, tobacco barns, sorting barn and the irrigation pump house. I can see what drew Jennifer and Chris to the land here – the houses sit atop a hill overlooking the valley and the Zambezi River. And there’s plenty of irrigation water available from the River. We then visited Waterberry Lodge and had a few shandys on the veranda overlooking the river. We then ran over to Doug’s, Liam’s friend who boards the horses, and watched Liam train polocross while trotting around the field on Ashleigh’s horse, BushBuck. We ended the day with a quick swim and then ran into town for a visit to the internet café and then to dinner at Ocean Basket in Livingstone.






Day 3 – Livingstone


Woke to the dogs this morning and a quick cup of coffee with Liam before heading to Doug’s next door for Liam’s polocross practice, followed by a braai of chicken, beef and salad washed down with still more shandys. It was really cool to meet Liam’s friends and see how he spends his Sundays. We then returned to the house for a romp in the pool, a few gin and tonics and then a leisurely meal of thin crust pizzas. Liam and I have so much in common:






• We must have a fan blowing – preferably on us -- in order to sleep


• We both eat incredible amounts of food


• We both HATE harry potter, lord of the rings and twilight (sorry Molly)


• We don’t care for pasta


• We sleep hot – no duvets or heavy blankets -- EVER


• We both have similar bony lumps on the back of our heads


• He hates apples


• He has an absolute fit if he gets a bad haircut


• He complains about his double chin in pictures