Legends: the Lions may have lost the series, but they won the hearts of the rugby world Photo: PA
Good on them, getting the beers in when the time is appropriate, is a small but important part of touring with the Lions and never did Willie-John McBride's mob much harm in 1974
Back then they were allowed three days and nights on safari and had to send the coach back after the first night for fresh supplies of booze, such was the carnage. Heaven knows what the African wildlife made of their temporary visitors but one suspects they kept their respectful distance, rather like the Boks.
In 1955 they also put in a legendary three day stint under canvas on the veldt, a drinking session that coincided with Tony O'Reilly's 19th birthday. The craic was mighty and you can sometimes go as long as two minutes talking to a 1955 tourist before they mention that particular party.
The 2009 manager Gerald Davies always promised that, despite the horribly crunched itineraries the Lions now have to cope with, that they would try and honour the best Lions traditions because that is what the squad and the public want. They have to be different and they have to be special. That is their rasion d'etre.
From the outset they played with a smile and were friendly and approachable, more than happy to stay in the same hotel as journalists and punters alike and on some occasions even sharing a leisurely coffee after breakfast. The last time I remember that happening was 1997. Autographs were never a problem, school visits and the like were approached with some enthusiasm rather than a photo-call that had to be endure.
The Lions may have lost the Test series but they have restored the Lions ethos. The class of 2009 are far from being the most talented Lions squad ever to leave these shores, in reality they departed with only one truly world class player in their ranks, Brian O'Driscoll, although many have put their hands up for the future such as Jamie Roberts, Tom Croft and Rob Kearney to name but three.
They were up against virtually impossible odds not to mention the World champions but they approached their task with some style and élan. In some of the warm-up matches they were spectacular - Golden Lions and Natal - in others less so as they struggled with the unfamiliarity of it all. The intent was always there and you always sensed a couple of big games around the corner.
Come the Tests they were flawed, unlucky but magnificent. I have rarely seen a team try harder or play with more courage. They were diehard warriors in the finest Lions traditions and that has what has endeared them to us most. They honoured the jersey.
Countless individuals stepped up to the mark - Mike Phillips took on Fourie du Preez, Simon Shaw played the game of his life at 35, Croft prowled like a 70 Test warrior, Roberts was immense, Kearney was flawless when his big moment came, Adam Jones swallowed hard and took on the beast and won, Gethin Jenkins gave it everything and so on.
Even on Saturday the usually placid Andrew Sheridan revved himself up when he came on as a replacement and gave as good as he got with Bakkies Botha. And those who struggled for whatever reason - Phil Vickery and Shane Williams for example - took it on the chin with dignity and didn't allow their disappointment to derail the collective effort.
They have been a team to be proud of, to identify with, and possibly Ian McGeechan's biggest regret from last Saturday is that in the depths of their disappointment and despair at Loftus the Lions didn't think to do a lap of honour afterwards to thank their 25,000 travelling fans and of course vice versa - the hordes were desperate to hail their battling unlucky team.
McGeechan and captain Paul O'Connell send their sincere apologies on that one - as the tears flowed in the dressing room and players hung their heads in despair - they just didn't think and they have promised to rectify the situation at Ellis Park on Saturday for those who keep the faith and stay on for the final game.
It's the only thing they have to apologise for. In every other respect they did their best. It wasn't quite good enough but they reminded us, after the crushing disappointments across the board from 2005, exactly why the game is besotted with the Lions.
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