Appeals fail at the Falls

Click here for the day's photos

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