Raid on East London 1

Once again the trusty Polo was loaded with a few six packs of beer, four Tablers and a mission: to retrieve our lost Trophies from East London 1.

We left Alan's house around 5.30pm, having waited a little while for some of the guys to finish work. After a quick stop at Beavers Port Alfred for some Roosterbrood with Chicken Mayo, Cheese & Onion, we were once again on the road to East London!

We got to the Keiskamma Bridge before the urge to stretch our legs hit us, and who knew that the air conditioner was managing to protect us from what felt like 100% humidity! Once we climbed back into the car, even the dashboard was running condensation!

We got to the roadworks near East London, and again the humidity hit immediately once we opened the doors of the car. Even the GPS fell off the windscreen!

Having been given vague instructions, and trusting Alan's terrible geographical skills, we found the (thankfully) empty golf range and made use of the opportunity to get rid of the beers consumed en-route. We were then pestered by an impatient Past-ARTSA Convenor and we finally found our way through the forests of Stirling to the new Clubhouse of East London 1.

We met the guys and caught up before they continued with their interrupted meeting on the veranda (load shedding + extreme humidity forced us outdoors). After a meeting similar in style to ours, it was fellowship time as we chomped, drank a few beers and made new friends.

Who will ever forget "my boy" the new guest (otherwise known as Darrion, but Chairman Mark Crossley had memory lapses).

After a great evening, we managed to retrieve our trophies, grab one of theirs (wooden shield, East London 1, Prima Plax) and we also traded the inaugural Raiding Mat (see picture) which East London 1 and Alex/Kenton 210 will raid from each other in the future.

After a quick stop in at a certain establishment located beneath some golden arches for a midnight snack, we were back on the road home, arriving just before 1am.

A great time was had by all! Thanks to the guys from East London 1 for the fellowship and hospitality.

The Raiding Mat
L-R: Guillym, Marco, Ockie, Mark, Tarquin, Alan, HoneyBadger

Chairman Mark swopping banners with Chairman Ockie

L-R: Darrion (my boy), Guillym, Marco, Ockie, Mark, Tarquin, HoneyBadger