ROSSENDALE PROBUS CLUB

AT the end of November, David Thornber, one of the members from Bacup talked about a 5,000-mile journey he did in 1969 in East Africa.

David lived in Zambia and his journey by road took him through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and back to Zambia.

He visited the Murchison Falls on the river Nile in Uganda, lakes Victoria and Edward, the Serengeti Game Reserve in Tanzania and had a train excursion from the Kenyan capital Nairobi to Mombasa on the coast.

His car, a Sunbeam Rapier, was not ideal for a journey on very poor roads of either rutted sand or mud. Several times he had to be rescued and pulled out of deep holes!

In 1969 tarmac road surfaces were rare. On one road the petrol tank beneath the car was ruptured.

A local construction company was able to weld his tank, enabling him to complete his journey.

There were striking contrasts in scenery, wildlife and local scenarios as he travelled through four countries. Uganda proved to be most attractive with a great variety of landscapes.

By contrast, the Serengeti Game Reserve consisted of vast plains of rough grassland and occasional trees.

However, it proved to be both exciting and interesting as he was able to photograph many wild animals, including a leopard rubbing itself against the front of his car.

The next meeting of the club will be the Christmas lunch on Tuesday, December 13.

On January 11, Stuart James will give a talk on Burma.

It will be held at Ashday Lea Masonic Hall in Rawtenstall starting at 10.30am, with coffee available beforehand.