The remoteness of our destination is felt before arriving. The road is hot and dry and very few if any large villages punctuate the trip. 
First, a quick peek at the retro style petrol pumps at Hwange base camp where we spend the night after the game count. The welcome luxury is supplemented by the camaraderie of other returning counting parties, the swopping of stories (none too tall), and the discussions with conservationists of the state of the nature reserve. The count will be tallied in good time but Willy and I must off to Binga. 
Like the game of chicken, here a lorry approaches us on a single strip of Macadam typical of the less frequented roads in Zimbabwe. The idea of course is not to show bravery or teenage lunacy but rather to be courteous and let one another pass. The tree woodland surrounding us is composed largely of Zimbabwean teak trees (Baikiaea plurijuga). 
Another stop for petrol this soon after Hwange is typical when one is not sure if at the next station there will also be fuel. This is the town of Cross Dete. A veritable tour de force of Zimbabwean journalism is found in this article http://www.zimbabwelatestnews.com/2013/05/men-queue-to-have-sx-with-visibly.html
Though this article seems to paint Cross Dete as a bustling metropolis of decadent red light districts and jet set business fat cats in my experience this four-way crossing and the Jealous Filling Station are the sum total of activity of the intriguing town of Cross Dete, non the less a centrifugal force for activity in this sparse region.
As we approach our hot and tropical desitination the dry hills of this corner of Zimbabwe are apparent. With a few missions out here one provides free bicycles to the residents there is little other connection to the rest of the world here. This is attractive in its own way and frightening in another.
Naturally enough, the cows do not seem to mind at all being so alone under the great dull and dusty blue sky. 
zimtree 