Life on a farm in Tanganyika


There are a number of photographs taken at Usa River in the 1940s, mostly featuring Tony's sister Joy with various handkerchief trees that grew in the garden. She always posed in the same way.


Living on an isolated farm did not perturb her. She made her own dresses and pinned up her hair to avoid having to get it permed or set. They lived miles from any hairdresser. 


Although she sold a few of the water-colour landscapes that she painted, Joy never had a formal job. Being married was seen as an occupation in itself.


She loved Africa and the warm equatorial climate. The fact that a large cobra inhabited the fig tree in the garden did not bother her in the least.




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