Happy New Year!

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There can be few more unsuitable ways to prepare for a long hard night of partying than spending the day battling the Zambezi river during five hours of intense white water rafting. Copleston apart, this is what the majority of us did and it was exhilarating. In the stunning deep gorge in scorching sun we took on rapids with names such as the 'Washing Machine' and the 'Devils Daughter'. Flipping over in the middle of some grade 4 rapids and getting stuck under an upside down boat can be a little hairy. However fun was had by all.

Minutes after arriving back at the hotel from the rafting trip we were departing for a more sedate form of water activity - a sunset cruise aboard an exclusively chartered boat with as much food and drink as we could consume. Floating alongside crocodiles and hippos wasn't going to stop an over 25's versus under 25's boat race. Some impressive downing from the young shavers Cope and Roper left it all for Rosenfeldt to do on the home straight but, despite pouring half of the bottle of beer down his front, he couldn't secure a win for the older crew.

Following the boat trip we rocked up at the Waterfront Hotel for Livingstone's biggest party. Despite the rest of the party goers appearing to be under 18 to begin with, the cheap alcohol flowed and the crowd matured. An absolute cracker of a night ensued.

Appeals fail at the Falls

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For those avid follows of the blog (I am assured there are a few!!) - apologies for the delay in getting this to you, a combination of being very busy and a few connectivity issues are to blame ...

Our trip from Lusaka to Livingstone did not start particularly successfully - the issue of lots of kit (familiar to anyone who has toured with the OCs before was to blame. Just outside Livingstone we had a fascinating tour of the Lusaka Alive and Kicking factory, run by Chris Roe (an OC who left in 2001). The charity produces footballs and netballs with health messages which they then distribute, along with educational seminars, to schools and townships across Africa (www.aliveandkicking.org.uk). The tour gave us a fascinating insight to the work the charity does as well as the opportunity to pick up some balls that several benefactors and our sponsors have kindly donated, to distribute in Zambia and South Africa.

Our 7 hour estimate for the coach soon became interesting... The road from Lusaka most of the way to Livingstone was exceptional, pot holes about as evident as an OC tourist drinking water at dinner. Unfortunately the road then ended (literally) and we hit 'roads' that would have and did challenge any vehicle, let alone a coach. All I can say is that it was a great relief that we finally made it to the hotel. The next day we has a great game drive around the Mosi-oa-tunda ('The smoke that thunders' - the local name for the Victoria Falls) - where we got up close and personal with hippos, impala, wildebeest, buffalo, baboons, zebras, giraffes, birds, snakes and lizards.

Following the game drive we went to learn more about the various activities on offer over a beer (thanks Karien!). The tourists had clearly developed a taste for the adrenaline rush of the coach journey as white water rafting, bungee jumps, walking with the lions, going to Livingstone Island to sit in a plunge pool and helicopter rides all proved popular as well as the New Years Eve cruise / party that had already been booked! The afternoon was spent by the poolside in splendid sunshine. Unfortunately the pool also led to our first casualty of tour, Matt Crump unfortunately getting a perforated eardrum from a stray elbow in the pool - we wish him well for a speedy recovery.

The only thing powerful enough to drag people away from a sunlounger or game of volleyball over the bridge in the pool (our invention which is now practically an institution) was the waterfall that backs on to the hotel. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Victoria Falls truly has to be seen to be believed and all stood in awe perilously close to the edge trying to get the perfect picture, whilst getting absolutely soaked. We were able to further appreciate this marvel at sunset, over drinks on the veranda at our regal sister hotel. This was followed by fines, where the first (and a particularly weak) appeal by Alan Cope, for not wearing the dick of the day cravat, was denied by the tour committee. Dinner saw the first successful appeal by Mike Chetwode (experienced in such matters) to the detriment of the accuser Eds Copleston (who should have known better).

We are all very much looking forward to the rafting and New Years Eve festivities. Happy New Year to all! Rob Merry

Second match falls foul of the weather

Unfortunately it rained overnight and therefore the full match had to also be scrapped. In fairness evidence of the night before suggested that this decision had already unconsciously been made as several of the players were much the worse for wear come the second day on tour….

Much to the credit of the tourists the excesses of the night before did not prevent the guys hosting a long training session for the aspiring Zambian cricket senior players, ironically in dazzling sunshine.

The afternoon was spent visiting the shopping Arcade, which conveniently backs on to the hotel. It was also fascinating over lunch to hear about the work that Chris Roe, an Old Cranleighan who left in 2001, does with Alive and Kicking – the charity that we are supporting on tour. Fines and dinner were relatively subdued – acknowledgment of the eight-hour coach adventure to Livingstone that awaits us early tomorrow morning.

I am writing the blog in darkness and heat due to a prolonged power cut and this just serves to emphasise how lucky we are to experience the upper end of life in Lusaka. It has been a real privilege to help out the Zambian cricketers who have not had the same support as us and we are thoroughly looking forward to visiting the Alive and Kicking factory on the way to Livingstone tomorrow. Rob Merry

Opening match washed out

Boxing Day 2008 and the introduction of a throng of OC blazers brought some colour to the much maligned Terminal 5. Tristan Rosenfeldt was on hand to provide some last minute kit including the ‘vital’ tour underpants… The flight itself was fairly uneventful by previous standards. There was excitement at the announcement of the Gates’ engagement – until it was revealed that this was simply a ruse to get their hands on a glass of free champagne.

The weather forecast on the flight was ‘good visibility but scattered showers’. The tour organisers wore worried expressions as we were actually greeted by fog, low cloud and torrential rain. It took an age for the baggage to arrive and unfortunately for the youngest of the Crump clan he is still waiting…

Our exclusive coach took the scenic route from the airport stopping at the wrong Protea hotel. With the Twenty20 match not due to start until the afternoon the opportunity for a couple of hours sleep was welcomed by all except Ed and Eds who were dispatched to inspect the pitch. The pitch inspection was coupled with a press conference with our chaps fielding questions from the local press, flanked by the Zambian Cricket bigwigs.

On their return it was disappointing but not surprising to learn that the Twenty20 had been rained off. However we did take the opportunity to get out of the hotel and run a coaching session for about 20 youngsters. Cricket training sessions were followed by some touch rugby, football and some beers. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the young Zambians and no shortage of skill too. The press were in attendance again – Ed and Eds by now local celebrities.

The nine tour virgins were ‘welcomed’ at the traditional fines session, Matt Crump the proud recipient of the dick of the day cravat, before we went off for some splendid steaks at the Lusaka Country Club. It was then back to the ‘Arcade’ that backs on to the hotel to sample the local nightlife, and try to get to grips with being a cash millionaire in Kwacha .

A busy start then, and we must hope that the ground dries up enough for cricket tomorrow.

Cricketer Cup tie to mark Jubilee opening

We are delighted to announce that Hailybury Hermits have very kindly agreed to cede home advantage for our first-round match in the 2009 Cricketer Cup on Sunday, June 14, allowing us to stage the game on Jubilee on OC Day, when the renovated pavilion will be officially opened.