Mere members of the human race,
But we have known a special place.
We did grow up in a different way,
In a land where we wish we could stay.
Those that joined us adopted our ways,
Many that visited extended their stay’s.
We loved the weather and loved the sun.
Outdoor and bush people every one.
We loved our sport loved our braai’s,
Under those great Rhodesian skies.
A fun loving people friendly to boot,
Most enjoyed some meat to shoot.
We loved our fishing and to camp,
Along some lovely river bank.
We loved our dams and water sport,
We loved to make rather than import.
But now we are scattered across the earth,
Very far away from our place of birth.
We love a challenge and successful will be,
Whilst we prey for sanity in the land of Zimbabwe.
Written by Pete Barlow 10/07/2001
I also found these photos… oh how I wish I’d taken them, I cannot find any copyright on them and to hell they are shared all over the web so why not here….
The new recruits to combat poaching…
These two photos I found on FB and are from the Kgalagadi where we will go again…
Man these are good photos… and this bottom one I wonder if the Lion is off to the toilet…
Can you imagine if you are in the toilet and on your way out this is what you see… oh boy the adrenaline rush would be high and the skid mark very dark…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
I loved that poem. I think it says much in few words. Great photos! I’m sure you could accomplish something similar. 🙂
Thank you for the vote of confidence Inga… but it is a great poem…
With that sight at the toilet, one wouldn’t need to get there to go.
That is so right Col…
i have family ties to Rhodesia but i have never been, beautiful photographs as always.
Thank you… not the same in Zim as it was years back…
this is fantastic…love the new recruit!
Thanks Gail
Great poem and a very proud Rhodesian at that. Pictures like this come along once in a lifetime and I’m sure you’ll have a day when you get one (although I hope it’s not when you’re face to face with a lion as you emerge from the toilet) 😉
Thanks Dianne… not sure I want to meet face to face with one at close quarters without an escape route…
Stunning photos! Although I don’t recommend kissing an elephant like that unless you know him very well. 😉
You can say that again… not sure I’d kiss him even if I knew him well, be might not like my morning breath then what.??.. lol
Wonderful poem and the photos are amazing, elephants are so magnificent. I hope to travel to Africa for a safari once more. We shall see…
Brenda
It is well worth the thought of a visit, where did you go last time…
We spent 17 days on safari in Tanzania for our 35th anniversary. Didn’t go to South Africa because the wineries and scuba diving would tempt us away from safari. We’d love to see the great apes too, but there are too many choices on your continent.
You made me belly laugh, Rob 😀 Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Paula…
Wonderful poem and photos. Oh, to have been those photographers . . . You live in a very special place.
I would give my false teeth to capture photos like this…
I have to say Bulldog I was a bit disappointed at the end of that poem when I saw it wasn’t penned by you, as I know this is something you could easily pull off. Those elephant photos are spectacular and the baboon (?) with the rifle, priceless! 🙂
Thanks LuAnn.. I wish I could pen poetry like that…mine comes in a flash and if I take too long to write it down its gone… the ellie photos are spectacular and I love that baboon…
Love the pictures and the poem Bulldog 🙂
Thanks Michelle…
I don’t know if I told about my friend going to the toilet during the night … and a safari he was on in Kenya.
He didn’t tell the guard that we was going …
They had been looking out for lions the whole day … but when he was visiting the toilet in the middle of the night, he had a close up … with a lion, but it went well .. the guard heard him. *smile
Wonder how that monkey got hold of a gun???? There is loads of 2 -legged monkeys out there playing with guns.
I think most of us .. want China out of the way … but I doubt it will happens. Brilliant post, Rob.
Thanks Viveka… I’m not sure I want to encounter a lion out in the Kalahari when exiting the toilet… he might keep me there for days
Outstanding work to many of the things you love! The head-on shot of the elephant in the water is awesome. .. and Happy Inspire Your Heart with Art Day to you!
Thanks Frank… the elephant in the water photo, is just amazing and can’t be beat…
Great poem, bulldog. Superb elephant pics, and I love the Rhino sign. 🙂 Happy weekend to you. xx
Thanks AD
WOW! This is one of your great posts dear Rob, they are amazing and well expressed. Thank you, love, nia
Thank you Nia…
Good photos Rob. The elephant shots in particular really show off its magnificence. I know very little of Rhodesia. However, I do remember having postage stamps from there as a young stamp collector. I also remember it featuring on television in troubled times before it became Zimbabwe. You are clearly proud of your origins.
That I am thanks Brian…
Always proud to be a RHODESIAN not Zimbabwean. Amongst my nostalgic treasures are the Rhodesian flag/Fazak’s copper fire screen/Ian Douglas Smith beer mug and copper clock wall hanging of the Rhodesian map which many homes boasted. This poem says it all Bulldog. Rhodesians, a special breed scattered worldwide indeed. 🙂
Thanks Zita… we are a special breed…
Camping in Canada we have the same problem as your last photo shows, only substitute a bear for the lion.
I recon this could give one just the odd feeling of panic, either bear or lion, I think they can both be very dangerous to meet up with on foot….
What a lovely poem. I’m really loving the new recruits photo!
I don’t know how they got that pose, but photoshop is a wonderful box of tricks it would seem…