Zambia World Wide

Fortunately one of the other canoeists also had a double canoe and I could join him. From here onwards it was not plain sailing, as it was now getting dark and I was cold and wet. You could here rapids but there was no telling what to expect. It was then that I decided not to invest in a canoe. Some 10 to 15km from the pump station we could see what appeared to be a dam wall in the distance. As we approached it we noticed that it was a bridge over the Kafue. What’s more I knew where we were. I informed the other canoeist that I was getting out and I was going to ask the farmer whose house was close by to take me to the house of Ian and Heather Eagger which was also close by. What’s more Bill and I were supposed to be at their party they were having. I do believe two of the other canoeists joined me.

At Ian and Heathers house after a nice hot shower and a change of clothing, which Pauline brought me, I was ready for the party. Bill and Dianne arrived almost two hours later.

Flight in a private aircraft

Piet Vermaak one of our mechanics was friendly with the agent for Piper aircraft. I was invited to go with to Lusaka on a possible sales trip. Going there was a wonderful experience but coming back was a nightmare. We had to take off just after a thunderstorm. The farmer warned us if we were not airborne at a certain marker we were to abort our take off. The water pools on the runway felt as if it was going to bring the aircraft to a standstill. However we got airborne but just managed to clear the farmer’s maize crop.

Somewhere between Kitwe and Lusaka we were caught up in a storm. It is the most helpless feeling. Your destiny was in the pilot’s hands. All you could do is watch the pilot for signs of panic. Fortunately we made it safely but it certainly had me rattled and weak at the knees.

Sport in general

Most of the C.P.C. employees and their families took part in the interdepartmental sporting events at our club. There was bowls cricket, tennis, darts and later golf. The latter was then named as the Ravens Golf Club. If my memory serves me correct Jack Anderson one of the Engineers was behind the layout of the golf course and founder member. On the 15^th Nov 1964 I won the Ravens Golf Trophy. With the cricket I won a camp chair for being the most enthusiastic player. C.P.C. employees were one big happy family. I am convinced that the social sporting events played a major role.

At the beginning of the hockey season the Kitwe Hockey Club invited everyone to partake in seven a side matches. This was more like a battlefield. Ambulance and First Aid staff was certainly kept busy. With one of the events our team did manage to reach the finals.

From 1965 when I was not so actively involved with rowing I went and offered my services as a rugby referee. The Copperbelt Rugby Association accepted me as a referee for the second teams. At Nkana where there was no separate change room for the referee I would leave my change of clothing outside. After the match I would shower with the winning team. The separating wall between the two teams was not to the roof. The criticism I got from the loosing team over the wall was bad enough. I must say I got a lot of support from the winning side. At the bar all was forgiven. The local derby between Pirates and Diggers always ensured a full Grand Stand.