Early start to begin the six-hour coach trip between Villiersdorp and George. Travel attire has been relaxed since the plane journey – no 1s were replaced with Hollister Tees, hoodies and headphones.
A few stops on the way for bathroom breaks and mass purchasing of Biltong, before arriving at Oudtshoorn (one hour from George) for a guided tour of the Cango Caves – an incredible, 5km system of caves with 150 million-year-old stalactites/mites. In the largest cave, a former concert venue, the Shiplake boys (and fellow tourists) sang a hearty Happy Birthday song to Mr Cane-Hardy while the tour guide gave him a congratulatory hug.
While some boys spent time admiring the delicate, icicle-like limestone formations, others (Piers Chen) said it would be “so satisfying to bring a sledge hammer in here”. Different strokes...
Then it was on to Cango Ostrich farm to learn how the birds fed, mated and incubated, followed by a hilarious display of ostrich-riding skills from James Riley, Tom Jones, Nick Arbuckle, Jack Madden and Jack Forrest (there was a weight limit of 75kg). Prize for best rider went to Jack Forrest who remained saddled throughout while Nick Arbuckle won ‘best wipeout’ after taking the bird down to the dirt with him.
It was there the team bought its super-butch tour mascot, Adam (named after our legendary coach driver).
Arrived in George at about 7pm where the billet hosts were waiting to bring the boys home for a hot supper.
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