In the morning light of the next day we saw our hostel in Berlin in Prenzlauer Berg which was still dominated by the Alexander Square Tower, an iconic symbol in the former East Berlin. Now the Wall has gone, it is often difficult to know which side you are in. A clear difference is still in public transport, then as now, trams in the East and buses in the West.
Again, we had not been in Berlin for many years; in 1982 in the then DDR. Memories and objects from that repressive era and way of life have rightly been consigned to a museum as history. We visited that on our tour round the now reunified Berlin. The route of the wall can be followed by parallel lines of dark stones set into the pavements. The Red Town Hall is still red as the city administration is a coalition of Social Democrats and former Eastern Socialists. Some interesting political demolitions and reconstructions have taken place over the past century.
The Reichstag, called uncharitably but not without some reason by Kaiser Wilhelm, 'that Monkey-House' is now back in use and restored as the Parliament of the Federal Republic, after being burned down in 1933 by the Nazis and lying empty until reunification. The Town Palace of the Hohenzollen Emperors was demolished as a symbol of German imperialism and militarism by the East German authorities after WW2, though it always amused me that they failed to see the irony of having a regular changing of the guard by a goosestepping Prussian regiment at the monument to Victims of Fascism and German Militarism. Nonetheless, the Berliners have a great sense of humour and enjoy puncturing pomposity. They have a series of alternative names for modern buildings, statues and works of art. This is worth a blog in itself! It was replaced by a copper glassed concrete monstrosity called the Palace of the Republic. AKA: Eric's Light Shop because of the expensive and numerous and tasteless modern chandeliers that hung there there. This in turn has been demolished by the new Federal Authorities and it is suggested that the old Imperial Palace be reconstructed.
In the evening we had supper in the now fully restored Nicolai Quarter opposite the Church where Paul Gerhardt was pastor. We had 'Now thank we all our God' as one of our wedding hymns. The next morning we set off for Prague from another new steel glass and concrete ediface, the New Central Station.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
By car, train and plane
We (Ida, Keith, Catriona, and Mubita) left Edinburgh a week ago last Sunday on an overcast morning in a wee smirr of rain and drove down the A7 to Carlisle through the Borders; a trip we had last done in 1979! Our first night we were spending with friends from Zambia at Ulverston in the Lake District. Locally the road from the M6 to Barrow is called the 'cul de sac'.
Later that evening we went for a run, in the road traffic sense, along the side of Windermere. The Lake District is reminscent of some areas of the Highlands but it is surprisingly compact and a bit more manicured and overdeveloped than we are used to.
At the risk of sounding a 'here's tae us, wha's like us note here' or 'whaur's yer Willie Shakespeare noo?' (well, we did pass the MacDiarmid Memorial at Langholm on route after all!), but I don't think the Bard of Avon is standing on the platform at Stratford Station waiting for a train - any train to London! Stratford-upon-Avon is another cul de sac as far as the railway is concerned. We spent our second night there with my youngest brother's family. It was good to see them after four years. We had missed them on our previous furlough.
London and the Methodists
The next day we taxied to Warwick to catch the 0719h London train as we were due at Methodist House at 1030 on Tuesday to meet with a series people. Our Mission Partner appointment is an ecumenical one between the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church and they help with our support.
An hour and a half saw us 'detraining' at Marylebone and after depositing the luggage at reception in Methodist House we then breakfasted on a croissant and coffee in Baker Street opposite Sherlock Holmes' flat. We next got Catriona safely installed in the queue for Madame Toussaud's and crossed the road to Methodist House for our first meetings where we were introduced to some people in the World Church Office.
It was good to meet with Jan Deakin with whom we had communicated extensively by email but without ever meeting. We then had the opportunity to share with Tom King, the Team Leader of the World Church Relationships, and we made a interesting connection there. Tom's son had worked at Beit Cure Paediatric Hospital in Lusaka with Allan Norris, a surgeon we got to know when he came to operate at Mwandi.
Jane Cullen, the Discernment and Selection Officer, was especially interested in how the linking of Mission Partners to Presbyteries worked in the Church of Scotland. The Methodists may be thinking of doing something similar with Mission Partners and their Districts.
George Luke from the Press Department interviewed us both about our life and work at Mwandi.
We finished off with a pizza lunch with Bunmi Olayisade, the Partnership Coordinator for Africa, a good time of fellowship and conversation covering amongst other things HIV Advocacy, African Politics and Women's Empowerment.
Berlin at Midnight
We then took the tube to Earl's Court to catch the airport bus to Gatwick. We arrived in good time and joined the good-natured queue at the bag drop-off counter, went through security, had supper and waited for our flight. It was delayed so we landed two hours late in a still sweltering Berlin at midnight. We managed a bus and two underground trains finally trundling our luggage the last 500 metres to our Hostel, where we relished the cool shower and drinks, despite the late hour, before retiring.
The tabloid newspaper headline in the hostel lobby exclaimed: 'WAS FÜR EINE HITZE!' - the German for 'COR WOTA SCORCHA!' I presume.
Later that evening we went for a run, in the road traffic sense, along the side of Windermere. The Lake District is reminscent of some areas of the Highlands but it is surprisingly compact and a bit more manicured and overdeveloped than we are used to.
At the risk of sounding a 'here's tae us, wha's like us note here' or 'whaur's yer Willie Shakespeare noo?' (well, we did pass the MacDiarmid Memorial at Langholm on route after all!), but I don't think the Bard of Avon is standing on the platform at Stratford Station waiting for a train - any train to London! Stratford-upon-Avon is another cul de sac as far as the railway is concerned. We spent our second night there with my youngest brother's family. It was good to see them after four years. We had missed them on our previous furlough.
London and the Methodists
The next day we taxied to Warwick to catch the 0719h London train as we were due at Methodist House at 1030 on Tuesday to meet with a series people. Our Mission Partner appointment is an ecumenical one between the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church and they help with our support.
An hour and a half saw us 'detraining' at Marylebone and after depositing the luggage at reception in Methodist House we then breakfasted on a croissant and coffee in Baker Street opposite Sherlock Holmes' flat. We next got Catriona safely installed in the queue for Madame Toussaud's and crossed the road to Methodist House for our first meetings where we were introduced to some people in the World Church Office.
It was good to meet with Jan Deakin with whom we had communicated extensively by email but without ever meeting. We then had the opportunity to share with Tom King, the Team Leader of the World Church Relationships, and we made a interesting connection there. Tom's son had worked at Beit Cure Paediatric Hospital in Lusaka with Allan Norris, a surgeon we got to know when he came to operate at Mwandi.
Jane Cullen, the Discernment and Selection Officer, was especially interested in how the linking of Mission Partners to Presbyteries worked in the Church of Scotland. The Methodists may be thinking of doing something similar with Mission Partners and their Districts.
George Luke from the Press Department interviewed us both about our life and work at Mwandi.
We finished off with a pizza lunch with Bunmi Olayisade, the Partnership Coordinator for Africa, a good time of fellowship and conversation covering amongst other things HIV Advocacy, African Politics and Women's Empowerment.
Berlin at Midnight
We then took the tube to Earl's Court to catch the airport bus to Gatwick. We arrived in good time and joined the good-natured queue at the bag drop-off counter, went through security, had supper and waited for our flight. It was delayed so we landed two hours late in a still sweltering Berlin at midnight. We managed a bus and two underground trains finally trundling our luggage the last 500 metres to our Hostel, where we relished the cool shower and drinks, despite the late hour, before retiring.
The tabloid newspaper headline in the hostel lobby exclaimed: 'WAS FÜR EINE HITZE!' - the German for 'COR WOTA SCORCHA!' I presume.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Bonnie Dundee in 2010
Oh, Bonnie Dundee I will sing thy praise
A few but true simple lays.........
It's tempting to go on but I won't........ Our family has a longstanding affection and appreciation of the poetic gems of William Topaz McGonagall. I spent Friday and Saturday of last week in his native city, formerly known for the 3 Js (Journalism, Jam and Jute), still the city of the Oor Wullie, Dennis the Menace and the Broons, but also now of Computer Games and medical research.
The Church of Scotland was holding an Enquirers' Conference at the West Park Centre. This is the start of the process used by the Church to test the calling of individuals to ordained or commissioned ministry.
There is the story told of Spurgeon that a young man came to him saying, 'The Holy Spirit is telling me that I should preach at the Tabernacle on Sunday evening.'
'That's strange,' replied Spurgeon, 'He's not told me.'
So, such a conference is a useful way to for those with a call to reflect and see what areas of Christian service that the Church offers and where God might want them to serve. We had two keynote speeches from parish ministers outlining their work, then a series of shorter presentation from the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, moving on to the Diaconal, World Mission, Social Care with Crossreach and finally Readership. There were practical sessions on how to take the Enquiry further and the session closed with a final keynote speech about responding to the call.
A point made during this was that Our Lord, himself, because of amongst other things the questionable company he kept and the radical theology he espoused might have found it difficult to get through the Church's selection process! I believe the Congregationalists turned down Campbell Morgan.
We finished with a warm and informal Communion Service. It was a good two days, well organised by staff from a variety of departments at 121 and drawing from frontline troops who were happy to share something of their lives and work in the part of the vineyard they had been called to. There was also wonderful fellowship with an astonishing variety of people of all ages, backgrounds, gifts and talents. Particularly striking were the number of young people who were also saying: Here we are God, in the spirit of new life we want to share that limitless life we are offered, and see this breaking through in that mystical body, which is made up of those called to be faithful brothers and sisters and his disciples. God is certainly not finished with the Church of Scotland yet.
A few but true simple lays.........
It's tempting to go on but I won't........ Our family has a longstanding affection and appreciation of the poetic gems of William Topaz McGonagall. I spent Friday and Saturday of last week in his native city, formerly known for the 3 Js (Journalism, Jam and Jute), still the city of the Oor Wullie, Dennis the Menace and the Broons, but also now of Computer Games and medical research.
The Church of Scotland was holding an Enquirers' Conference at the West Park Centre. This is the start of the process used by the Church to test the calling of individuals to ordained or commissioned ministry.
There is the story told of Spurgeon that a young man came to him saying, 'The Holy Spirit is telling me that I should preach at the Tabernacle on Sunday evening.'
'That's strange,' replied Spurgeon, 'He's not told me.'
So, such a conference is a useful way to for those with a call to reflect and see what areas of Christian service that the Church offers and where God might want them to serve. We had two keynote speeches from parish ministers outlining their work, then a series of shorter presentation from the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, moving on to the Diaconal, World Mission, Social Care with Crossreach and finally Readership. There were practical sessions on how to take the Enquiry further and the session closed with a final keynote speech about responding to the call.
A point made during this was that Our Lord, himself, because of amongst other things the questionable company he kept and the radical theology he espoused might have found it difficult to get through the Church's selection process! I believe the Congregationalists turned down Campbell Morgan.
We finished with a warm and informal Communion Service. It was a good two days, well organised by staff from a variety of departments at 121 and drawing from frontline troops who were happy to share something of their lives and work in the part of the vineyard they had been called to. There was also wonderful fellowship with an astonishing variety of people of all ages, backgrounds, gifts and talents. Particularly striking were the number of young people who were also saying: Here we are God, in the spirit of new life we want to share that limitless life we are offered, and see this breaking through in that mystical body, which is made up of those called to be faithful brothers and sisters and his disciples. God is certainly not finished with the Church of Scotland yet.
Friday, 18 June 2010
A Country Wedding
We are now in Dunblane at the World Mission Council Meeting after having had 10 days in St Andrews. We moved to a rented self-catering house there at the beginning of last week for the wedding, though we have had a number of trips in and out of Edinburgh for medical appointments, picking up and seeing off family and friends at the airport including Ruairidh Fiona and Lucy from Zambia
Our celebrations really started on Friday afternoon with a braai (BBQ) for over 40 guests 'frae a' the airts' who had arrived early and were staying in St Andrews. From our family's point of view it was wonderful to have four generations gathered together under the one roof. Saturday dawned, a beautiful day, the house a buzzing hive, with cosmetics and costumes galore.
St Salvator's was the venue for the marriage ceremony, filled with guests from near and far; all the way from Zambia, India, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, France and even as was said, 'exotic Dunfermline'. We talk about globalisation and living in a global village, Kirsten and Stuart's wedding was living proof of that; a global wedding with a global family and friends. It was special too, that the Minister officiating was James Walker, the brother and brother-in-law of Donald and Judith, who have strong Zambian connections and have just been called to St Columba's in Mutare where we worshipped when we were working in Zimbabwe.
After the wedding breakfast, toasts and speeches, the reception continued with a ceilidh till midnight. Photos of the wedding can be viewed on line at: www.alastairstephen.co.uk then go to Online Albums
Our celebrations really started on Friday afternoon with a braai (BBQ) for over 40 guests 'frae a' the airts' who had arrived early and were staying in St Andrews. From our family's point of view it was wonderful to have four generations gathered together under the one roof. Saturday dawned, a beautiful day, the house a buzzing hive, with cosmetics and costumes galore.
St Salvator's was the venue for the marriage ceremony, filled with guests from near and far; all the way from Zambia, India, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, France and even as was said, 'exotic Dunfermline'. We talk about globalisation and living in a global village, Kirsten and Stuart's wedding was living proof of that; a global wedding with a global family and friends. It was special too, that the Minister officiating was James Walker, the brother and brother-in-law of Donald and Judith, who have strong Zambian connections and have just been called to St Columba's in Mutare where we worshipped when we were working in Zimbabwe.
After the wedding breakfast, toasts and speeches, the reception continued with a ceilidh till midnight. Photos of the wedding can be viewed on line at: www.alastairstephen.co.uk then go to Online Albums
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Church of Scotland General Assembly
After seven days of meeting, the General Assembly closed on Wednesday last week. It was a good time listening to the debates and meeting up with friends from all over the country. As the Church continues to share and spread the Gospel throughout the world, it is amazing the diverse interests, concerns and needs that this brings to light as people speak and we hear often prophetically about passions shared or pain that we attempt to understand and address.All this feedback and information is living proof of Paul's metaphor in Romans 12 that in Christ we form one body belonging to each other all with different gifts depending on the grace given us with the further development of that in 1 Cor 12 that we are made up of many parts and as a body there should be no division but we need to show equal concern for each other in each of our own joy, pain and sorrow.
Business started appropriately with the Scottish Bible Society and we heard how the Word of God shapes lives here and overseas, contributing to the work of the Church: we have a vested interest here as Ida's mother worked for the Bible Society for many years.
Friday was another interesting day with the 'Third Article Declaratory' being debated concerning parish-based ministry bringing the ordinances of religion to people nationwide. It was interesting and sobering in the World Mission Council Report to hear from minority-status Christians who suffer for the faith. There were deliverences to raise awareness of this amongst elected politicians from Holyrood, Westminister and Brussels. Another echo of 'If one part suffers........' This was also mirrored at home by the work of Crossreach which includes counselling, addiction help, assisting prisoner families and the care provided for the young the old and the infirm of all ages, - the frail and the rejected.
Morning Service at St Giles' Cathedral was followed later in the day by a special service marking the 450th Anniversary of the Scottish Reformation. A wonderful time of reflection on the influence of the reformation on education and on wider Scottish society. It was a medley of Psalms, Prayer and other Scripture cleverly interwoven with monologues, dramatisations and presentations on the theme.
The overall message similar to that delivered from George MacLeod celebrating the 400th and resonating from 16th century - A Reformed Church is forever to be reformed. In other words to make God alive and relevant for people today. Interesting too that there is no longer the same contraversy over the morality over the possession of nuclear weapons. The Church's position on them and Trident is thankfully unequivocally clear.
Monday was good with a report from the Children's Assembly, not just the future Church but part of the Church here and now. A reform of the Presbyteries is envisaged to make them more responsive and better able to deal with the changing needs of the Church. The Guild and their support of HIV and Aids at home and beyond. Ida spoke here wanting to raise awareness of the impact of HIV and AIDS locally at Mwandi and asking the Church to advocate on their behalf to continue to make a difference to the lives of many living people worldwide with this disease.We heard the report from the Armed Forces Chaplains who look after the spiritual needs of members of the armed forces and their families wherever they are serving. Not an easy job. There is also need of a ministry for forces personnel once they retire to help them adjust back to civilian life again. Safeguarding children and other vulnerable people and the safe inclusion of sex offenders in Congregations came in the report 'For such is the Kingdom of Heaven.'
The Assembly closed on Wednesday with amongst others the Iona Community Board Report, again another area of personal interest to us, Ida's father helped to roof the Abbey just after the War. It was good to read of the good work being done countering sectarianism and working with young offenders.
Finally, another highlight for us was the address by Mona Siddiqui.
Looking back on all this, the Church at this Assembly has identified its task as not only to get out there and talk about Jesus but also to be someone to speak for the poor, those who are marginalised socially, politically, economically, educationally and medically and in doing this it needs to engage in effective advocacy in partnership with civil society and other faith communities.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Home again
We have had a pretty full diary since our return to Scotland. We have settled into the furlough flat in Leith, a lively and cosmopolitan part of the city. It has been modernised and gentrified in areas over the past ten years or so but fortunately has not lost its own special atmosphere.
We have been overhauled follicularly, medically and dentally and given the all clear. Our booster vaccinations are all that remain. We have caught up with Kirsten and Stuart; and Catriona is able to live with us as a day pupil for most of the time. It is good to be able to do again the normal things parents do for their children here. We hope to see Gregor after this weekend. Sartorially, too, we have ditched the more dowdy items from our 'salaula' and 'mish' box wardrobes in preparation for the wedding. Kirsten, our elder daughter, and Stuart are to be married on 12 June in St Andrews.
These past two weeks have been taken up with deputation work in the Presbyteries of St Andrews and Stirling, preaching at Sunday services and speaking to various Church groups at different times and places through the week. It has been good too to visit hospitals and schools and see the latest developments in health and education. The new St Andrews Community Hospital is a striking and beautifully equipped modern complex, with excellent and committed staff to go with it.
We have enjoyed visiting old friends in the various churches that support our work and raising awareness of the work and needs of the church, school and hospital at Mwandi. We have travelled from St Andrews in the east to Balfron in the west and have been struck by the warmth of the welcome and the hospitality and kindness we have received from the congregations we have visited.
Although it has been cold we have been fortunate that it has been dry with little rain and even some sun. Spring is a good time to be at home with the lengthening days, the daffodils, anenomes and bluebells in the woods and above the gean, haw blossom and the budding leaves. There are still patches of snow on the Ochils and new grass and lambs in the fields. All signs of grace in the springtime and the renewing of the roots of life.
*salaula (lit: choose, take your pick): Second-hand clothes sent to Africa from Europe and sold everywhere in Zambia. Salaula clothes about 95% of the nation.
We have been overhauled follicularly, medically and dentally and given the all clear. Our booster vaccinations are all that remain. We have caught up with Kirsten and Stuart; and Catriona is able to live with us as a day pupil for most of the time. It is good to be able to do again the normal things parents do for their children here. We hope to see Gregor after this weekend. Sartorially, too, we have ditched the more dowdy items from our 'salaula' and 'mish' box wardrobes in preparation for the wedding. Kirsten, our elder daughter, and Stuart are to be married on 12 June in St Andrews.
These past two weeks have been taken up with deputation work in the Presbyteries of St Andrews and Stirling, preaching at Sunday services and speaking to various Church groups at different times and places through the week. It has been good too to visit hospitals and schools and see the latest developments in health and education. The new St Andrews Community Hospital is a striking and beautifully equipped modern complex, with excellent and committed staff to go with it.
We have enjoyed visiting old friends in the various churches that support our work and raising awareness of the work and needs of the church, school and hospital at Mwandi. We have travelled from St Andrews in the east to Balfron in the west and have been struck by the warmth of the welcome and the hospitality and kindness we have received from the congregations we have visited.
Although it has been cold we have been fortunate that it has been dry with little rain and even some sun. Spring is a good time to be at home with the lengthening days, the daffodils, anenomes and bluebells in the woods and above the gean, haw blossom and the budding leaves. There are still patches of snow on the Ochils and new grass and lambs in the fields. All signs of grace in the springtime and the renewing of the roots of life.
*salaula (lit: choose, take your pick): Second-hand clothes sent to Africa from Europe and sold everywhere in Zambia. Salaula clothes about 95% of the nation.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Eruption disruption: Notes from last week
On Thursday last, Ida, Mubita and I arrived expectantly at Lusaka Airport at 0630h in the golden light of dawn, the bus carrying us out was throbbing to Lozi music as this weekend is when the Kuomboka Ceremony takes place, where the Litunga (King of the Lozis) moves from the flooded plain to the drier and higher ground – a wonderful and colourful traditional ceremony. We checked in our luggage and went on to Immigration. There was a slight complication here, as we are moving from Work Permits to Entry Permits in July Mubita is not on our present work-permit, however, we showed the Adoption Order and were allowed to proceed but advised to visit Immigration HQ on our return. We escalated, much to Mubi’s delight, to the Departure Lounge and awaited our flight to Heathrow to be called. 0850h came and went. We were not really concerned as punctuality and exact time-keeping here is the exception rather than the norm. At 0900h came the astonishing announcement that BA had cancelled our flight because of volcanic activity. We were told to proceed through Immigration again and collect our luggage. In the baggage hall we were met by a BA Rep, who arranged for us to be transferred to the Taj Pamodzi, Hotel where we would be accommodated until we were able to fly again. We are grateful to BA for taking care of us so well.
We have been allocated a very comfortable double room on the fourth floor. We have a satellite TV whose variety of news channels(BBC SKY & ALJEZEERA) keep us constantly updated on developments or the lack of them concerning the flight ban. We have our little Celtel modem which allows us to e-mail and keep in touch with family and friends. We went to Synod HQ to let them know our departure had been delayed. At the same time we took the opportunity to submit our entry permit, this process being expedited by Synod staff, and pleasant and helpful Immigration officials. They issued us with a Report Order and our receipt so we enter Zambia and pick up our Entry Permits in August on our return.
It has been unusual but enjoyable for us to be in Lusaka with so little to do. We bought Mubita a swim vest and have been enjoying a daily dip in the hotel swimming pool. On Saturday afternoon we caught up with some much-needed sleep with an extended siesta. On Sunday we worshipped at Holy Trinity, just round the corner. It was a wonderful time as we met up with two former pupils from Chengelo. Nawa is in his final year at UNZA doing a BSc and we were there to witness Kazynski’s Confirmation followed by Communion. This made up in some way for our missing the Sunday Service at Kildrum.
This time of frustration and waiting has been a good lesson for us, it shows that despite Western civilisation’s much vaunted pride in its technology and sophistication, thankfully they have still a long way to go before ‘nature is tamed’. We need still to use our God-given skills, gifts and talents to live with and overcome these challenges in a rational and moral fashion that glorifies God. It also underlines the danger in relying on one form of transport, even for long haul journeys, and points to the necessity of having a more balanced and integrated world transport network. It also points to the lamentable underdevelopment of alternative terrestrial modes of transport in Africa. Finally it is a clear demonstration of how interrelated and interdependent we all are in this world. To reduce it to a Sunday Post headline: Icelandic Volcano strands Scottish Family in Zambia…….. but the difference this time is there are millions of other similar personal stories world wide.
We have been allocated a very comfortable double room on the fourth floor. We have a satellite TV whose variety of news channels(BBC SKY & ALJEZEERA) keep us constantly updated on developments or the lack of them concerning the flight ban. We have our little Celtel modem which allows us to e-mail and keep in touch with family and friends. We went to Synod HQ to let them know our departure had been delayed. At the same time we took the opportunity to submit our entry permit, this process being expedited by Synod staff, and pleasant and helpful Immigration officials. They issued us with a Report Order and our receipt so we enter Zambia and pick up our Entry Permits in August on our return.
It has been unusual but enjoyable for us to be in Lusaka with so little to do. We bought Mubita a swim vest and have been enjoying a daily dip in the hotel swimming pool. On Saturday afternoon we caught up with some much-needed sleep with an extended siesta. On Sunday we worshipped at Holy Trinity, just round the corner. It was a wonderful time as we met up with two former pupils from Chengelo. Nawa is in his final year at UNZA doing a BSc and we were there to witness Kazynski’s Confirmation followed by Communion. This made up in some way for our missing the Sunday Service at Kildrum.
This time of frustration and waiting has been a good lesson for us, it shows that despite Western civilisation’s much vaunted pride in its technology and sophistication, thankfully they have still a long way to go before ‘nature is tamed’. We need still to use our God-given skills, gifts and talents to live with and overcome these challenges in a rational and moral fashion that glorifies God. It also underlines the danger in relying on one form of transport, even for long haul journeys, and points to the necessity of having a more balanced and integrated world transport network. It also points to the lamentable underdevelopment of alternative terrestrial modes of transport in Africa. Finally it is a clear demonstration of how interrelated and interdependent we all are in this world. To reduce it to a Sunday Post headline: Icelandic Volcano strands Scottish Family in Zambia…….. but the difference this time is there are millions of other similar personal stories world wide.
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