Episode 3: Rhinos, Elephants and Sunset Bush Feasts

Episode 3, Part 1

Episode 3 is, without doubt, one of mine and Rob’s favourites. Not least because there are some madly cute chats with Sophie while I cook (‘Mum, is that meat’ (she says of the gammon) ‘Yes, I say’ ‘Well, where did it come from’ she says ‘from Mr Piggy’ I say (cringing inwardly and knowing what’s coming next) ‘well where is he now’ she demands, wide-eyed… all I could muster was a very meek ‘in Heaven’, and hope for the best.

Also in this episode, you’ll meet the very special Travers family at Imire – they’re some of the most committed conservationists that Zimbabwe has seen, and are most well known for their Rhino conservation work. ‘Conservation is in our blood, it’s in our pluse’ says Judy, who has hand-raised all kinds of animals in their home from warthog to hyena and, of course, rhinos – I can’t wait for you to hear more about their remarkable story.

I should also add that this was one of our toughest days on the road. We had a two hour drive from Harare in our massive overland truck to get to Imire, and almost the entire crew were suffering from a horrible stomach bug – not ideal in the middle of the bush. We also had one day to film the whole episode, including all the cooking scenes, cut-aways of Imire, interviews with Judy and her son Reilly, and ending off with filming the picnic in a race against the setting sun; before packing up and heading back on the two hour drive to Harare. It was a massive challenge in so many ways, but everyone pulled together beautifully and it was by far one of our most special days of the trip.

 Walking in the bush with the very remarkable Judy Travers

When I said we took that stove everywhere…

Barley Risotto coming along beautifully in our cheery red pot

Sophie and I studding the much-talked-about Gammon with cloves

Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes, Rob and Sophie were giving the ele’s a treat

Grinding pepper in the ancient traditional grinding holds, called ‘vuyu guyu’ in Shona (sp may be incorrect) – which relates to the sound the holes make as you grind the pepper backwards and forwards

Another epic African sunset about to happen, more bush feasting and more memories made

Episode 3 – Part 2

Bushman Rock is just outside Harare, it’s a small wildlife sanctuary, polo estate and beautiful wedding venue. Also, secreted away in the granite kopje’s (hills) are breathtaking bushman paintings that are tens of thousands of years old. It’s home to Rob’s sister, Justy, and her husband Jono, and it’s one of our favourite places to visit when we’re back in Zimbabwe. Justy’s a brilliant cook – she completely feels the process of cooking and is super creative and unflustered at the same time (a pretty rare combination, I think?), and Jono makes an endlessly charming and generous host – their home is always full of people and merriment and I love it. We’ll have a feast outside with family and friends, and it’ll be lots of fun.

Jono and I call ourselves the ‘outlaws’ in the Graham family, we’re Chinas and I’m glad. He’s married to Rob’s sister Justy

Crazy sunset views over the kopje’s at Bushman Rock, with thousands of year old bushman paintings lurking in the shadows

We set up just near the beautiful dam (it was baking hot that day)

Sangria spells Party!

This. Was funny. That’s Caro, one of our food stylits, and Chad, capturing the moment – Caro had just been beaten by a relentless tub of cream

My sister Mandy and her family also joined us for the picnic – and that’s little Ossie, her youngest son and Sophie’s favourite pal

I love my pestle and mortar, and it went everywhere with us. Here we ground a mix of black peppercorns and mustard seeds to make a tasty jacket for our roast fillet

Justy! It was such fun hanging out with her in our bush kitchen

Jono! Looking like the great explorer that he is

A huge and heartfelt thank you to both the Imire and Bushman Rock families for giving us such a warm welcome as we filmed there, and for being such remarkable, generous hosts. We couldn’t have made such beautiful episodes without you all.

Photo’s from ‘Sarah Graham’s Food Safari’ by Ricardo de Leça.