There is so much to do in Livingstone that I could have happily stayed for much longer, but our last day has arrived. We decided to head back towards Victoria Falls and do the zip line across the river to Livingstone Bridge. This was a really kind gift from the ladies at Cambridge South hockey club.

We spent the first hour there watching people doing bungee jumps and the gorge swing off the bridge. I don’t think anything would persuade me to give that a go! In fact, my legs were pretty shaky even at the thought of doing the zip line. The bridge is 128 m above the water, so its a flipping long way down!!

Some others doing the zip line

Once the staff had assured me that they had given us the safest harnesses and ropesavailable, I let them hook us on to the line. A few seconds later they gave us a shove and we were off. It was incredible! The view was great, and it felt like we were flying over the river. When we got to the other side they unhooked us and we had to walk along a ledge under the bridge. This was by far the most terrifying bit. It was made of a steel mesh, so you could see the river raging below. The zip line crosses from Zambia to Zimbabwe, so we started in one country and landed in another.

A slightly nervous smile

After this, we met Sharat who had decided to bungee jump. He casually walked up to the counter to pay, strolled along to the bridge and smiled as they attached the cord. The staff explain what to do, stand you on the edge and count backwards from 5. In Sharats case they got to 5, 4, 3…. and he was away. It was great to watch a friend do it, and he had a huge smile on his face when they brought him back up.

In the evening we met up with a group from the hostel and went out to eat more Zambian food. Graham bravely tried the sweet chili caterpillars, while I stuck with the crocodile. It was exactly one week before Mathildas birthday so we started the celebrations early, and she got desert with a candle while the waitresses sang happy birthday. Everyone has threatened to flashmob her in Lusaka on the actual day. If that happens, I want to see photos!

Our room

The pool at Jollyboys hostel

Before leaving, we bought two great paintings from Michael, a local artist. Unfortunately, since then they were left on a bus so are probably in a Zambian home now. At least we have a photo though…

Tomorrow it is time for us to head North to Kapiri Mposhi to work at Vinjeru School for 8 weeks.

• Livingstone Bridge