Departure

Finally packed and ready to go.

Seems like an age since I started the planning of this trip. Have decided to post my tour schedule so everyone knows where I am and where I will be

Thurs 19th April

Arrive in Durban to be collected by hosts then pre-tour drinks with the Durban referees society in the evening

Fri 20th april

Tour of Midlands meander and referee Marizburg college old Boys U20 vs University of Durban U20 evening KO

Saturday 21st April

6am start and travel to Vryheid in Maritzburg. Touch Judging Pionier vs st Charles for colleague Luke Haskins and refereeing after his game

Sunday 22 April

Training followed by a visit to Drakens Berg

Monday 23 April

visit to edendale hospital all day

Tues 24th April

Visit to Uhsaka Marine World and Training

Wed 25th April

Tour of Pietermaritzburg and suuroundings Followed by refereeing Obejana vs Noosberg

Thurs 26th April

Visit to game reserve and a visit to a local township followed by training

Fri 27th April

Touch Judging for Luke AM Grey College Blomfontein vs maritzburg college then refereeing school game also

Sat 28th April

St Hilton vs St Charles

then to Watch Sharks vs Cats at ABSA stadium Durban

29th April

Fly home

: 18 Apr 2007 13:51 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Pre tour 16th April 2007

Dear all

I have decided to set up this blog so that all of you who have supported me via well wishing and/or sponosrship can follow my progress in South Africa.

Our Kit finally arrived this week and it loks amazing with over £400 worth of gear per man we should at least look the part.

The hard slog training for this is finally over and I can now look forward to an easy week this week of rest before we hit the tough schedule in Durban. Its been worth it and I feel fit and ready to go. Our flight is at 5pm on wednesday from Birmingham and we fly to Paris then to Johannesburg then to Durban. We arrive at tea time on the thursday night and we have to referee at 3pm on the friday so we dont have long to clear the journey out of our systems.

I simply cannot wait to get out there and referee. The medical school have been extremely generous to us in helping me get time off and sorting out my rotations for me. I have been looking forward to this trip since this time last year and we all have put so much effort into it both with fundraising and organisation. I am also looking forward to the time off from medicine as I didnt really get away anywhere after the overarching and my brain will relish the recharge I think!

Bye for now

Ralph

: 16 Apr 2007 16:49 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem