Darlings, What Would The Neighbours Think: Growing up in a remote part of Colonial Africa

Born in the former Nyasaland, now Malawi, Susie Gale grew up with what she considers to have been a truly privileged upbringing. “Africa, as it was then, especially where we were, was filled with adventure, wild animals, enormous learning curves and many challenges. It taught us to connect with and deeply respect nature in all its forms”. There were no schools, no electricity, no paved roads, no hospitals – the only clinic was 70 miles away, virtually impassable during the rains – and, no neighbours. Her mother’s rather “British” caution “Darlings, what would the neighbours think!” was a somewhat rhetorical admonishment to Susie and her two younger sisters to behave as all young ladies were expected to.