A bygone freedom fighter...

Dr David Livingstone was born 200 years ago on 19th March 1813 in a single room millworker's tenement in Blantyre, near Glasgow. Despite going to work in the mills from the age of 10, he was able to teach himself science and qualify as a doctor. He then obtained a position with the London Missionary Society and headed for Africa. His adventures there are well known and he was a powerful opponent of the slave trade. He died in 1873 at Chitambo's Village in what is now Zambia. His faithful companions, Susi and Chuma, buried his heart in Africa then spent 10 months trekking and fighting their way across southern Africa to return their friend's body and papers to the British, so that he might be honoured and remembered among his own people. He was buried in Westmister Abbey.

A friend of mine was up from London this weekend, and we visited the David Livingstone centre in Blantyre then New Lanark followed by a lovely meal at Rissons. A lovely day...