One wonders how many Rhodesians recall
The low level bridges and strips so small
Which kept the roads open through the heavy Summer rain
When once you could only get through by train.

Returning from Beitbridge the year of the war
We ran into flood of the days of yore.
The Lundi was down over the bridge's guard rails
We spent a wet night just biting our nails.

Hoping that by morning the river would go down
As we were due back next day in Salibury town
So we hand to plan how we would get back
In time for work or face the sack.

So as the new day had just begun
Back to West Nicholson we made our run
But at the Mzingwane we had another fright
And only cleared the bridge just before night.

We drove on through Bulawayo in the late night hours
To stick at the Shangani during more heavy showers
The rivers to Salisbury were all down in flood
And parts of the road were covered with mud.

So we locked the car and caught the night train
And reached Salisbury next morning in the rain
Friends went down and brought the car back
My boss was kind and I didn't get the sack.

So motorists these days who travel so well
the Beitbridge and strips had a story to tell.

From the collection - RHODESIAN REVERIE
Memories by Robert Heinrich Percival Cornell
Contributed by his grandson Rob Staniland
Email : Rob