Wednesday, 18 February 2015
Day 28 - Sunflower crèche & De Waveren Primary School
Day 28, 4 weeks into our trip over here in South Africa, and 8 weeks to go. We're already a third into our trip and time is flying by.
Today we had a pretty easy day, with a crèche in the morning, followed by a primary school session in the afternoon.
We started off with a visit to the Learning Centre from the Sunflower crèche lot, who we'd coached last week, and were looking forward to them coming again, as the enthusiasm was brilliant, even if they didn't understand us much!
We did the same session that we did with Goodwood yesterday, but we added a relay type game in between the beginning game, and the circle ball rolling game at the end. We had to drag the session out a bit as we had them for an hour, but it went really well in my opinion, which was nice.
After that we had a few hours to kill before De Waveren, so we chilled out for a bit at the Learning Centre. A couple of people needed help, and a CV needed to be typed up so we did that to kill time, but other than Joe taking us out to drop some stuff off at Sunflower crèche, and paying a quick visit to check out the De Waveren facilities, we didn't do much else. Which I appreciated cause I was exhausted! Especially after such a long day yesterday!
We then went to De Waveren, where we were told we'd have around 25 kids to coach, and around 8 balls, which we were happy with as we could do a decent session with those numbers. We got there and we started the session with 64 kids wanting to be coached! As the session progressed the numbers eventually rose to 80 kids! It was nuts! We had to think on our feet, and if our time at Arsenal has taught us anything its how to cope when numbers and equipment aren't what you expected they'd be! We managed to start a possession based exercise which we use as our back up session, which can be used with any number of kids & balls. However, we'd explain the exercise to each group, and watch them do it, but as soon as we turned our back they'd be doing something else! It was a nightmare. We eventually cut the session a couple of minutes short to have a word with them. Which was weird as we hadn't had to do that with any group since coming out here. Oh well. We were assured we'd have less kids next week by the head coach. We'll take it with a pinch of salt, though.
Tonights plan is to chill out, and watch the Real Madrid-Schalke Champions League game, which should be good. We have a staff outing tomorrow too, which means we don't have to plan any sessions until Friday, where we're only at Waterfront 5's for the last time, which we'll be sad to leave.
Harry
Today we had a pretty easy day, with a crèche in the morning, followed by a primary school session in the afternoon.
We started off with a visit to the Learning Centre from the Sunflower crèche lot, who we'd coached last week, and were looking forward to them coming again, as the enthusiasm was brilliant, even if they didn't understand us much!
We did the same session that we did with Goodwood yesterday, but we added a relay type game in between the beginning game, and the circle ball rolling game at the end. We had to drag the session out a bit as we had them for an hour, but it went really well in my opinion, which was nice.
After that we had a few hours to kill before De Waveren, so we chilled out for a bit at the Learning Centre. A couple of people needed help, and a CV needed to be typed up so we did that to kill time, but other than Joe taking us out to drop some stuff off at Sunflower crèche, and paying a quick visit to check out the De Waveren facilities, we didn't do much else. Which I appreciated cause I was exhausted! Especially after such a long day yesterday!
We then went to De Waveren, where we were told we'd have around 25 kids to coach, and around 8 balls, which we were happy with as we could do a decent session with those numbers. We got there and we started the session with 64 kids wanting to be coached! As the session progressed the numbers eventually rose to 80 kids! It was nuts! We had to think on our feet, and if our time at Arsenal has taught us anything its how to cope when numbers and equipment aren't what you expected they'd be! We managed to start a possession based exercise which we use as our back up session, which can be used with any number of kids & balls. However, we'd explain the exercise to each group, and watch them do it, but as soon as we turned our back they'd be doing something else! It was a nightmare. We eventually cut the session a couple of minutes short to have a word with them. Which was weird as we hadn't had to do that with any group since coming out here. Oh well. We were assured we'd have less kids next week by the head coach. We'll take it with a pinch of salt, though.
Tonights plan is to chill out, and watch the Real Madrid-Schalke Champions League game, which should be good. We have a staff outing tomorrow too, which means we don't have to plan any sessions until Friday, where we're only at Waterfront 5's for the last time, which we'll be sad to leave.
Harry
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
Day 27 - Goodwood Crèche, Ruyterwacht Circle & Atlantic Soccer Club
Today we really saw the heat kick in, with the temperature reaching 34degrees by 10am! It was way too hot.
We started the day off with our final booked session at Goodwood Park Crèche, and as it was so hot, Lourens asked us to try and avoid the kids running about too much, and make our sessions a bit shorter so the kids didn't overheat. So we decided to do a game to start with that got them moving, but in different ways. We set out cones I a big square, and got the kids moving in the middle of it. When Martin blew his whistle they then had to find, and stand by a cone. They seemed to love it, so we let it drag out for a while, before finishing the session off with getting the kids sat down in a circle, rolling a ball to eachother, like we did last week. We managed to do that with all 4 groups, which made it easier. But after getting involved with the kids in the game, I was exhausted by the end of it. The heat completely took it out of me.
After lunch we quickly headed back to Berghof so I could grab my boots for Atlantic Football Club later on, and went to the Learning Centre to chill out for a bit before our after school session at the Ruyterwacht Circle. That was a fairly chilled out session, too. We had around 10 kids, who all wanted to play a match. As it was so hot we gave in and let them play, and we got involved too, which was a big mistake as we were so hot afterwards.
From that, we picked up Yonick, and took him to Atlantic, where we were meant to coach the under 16's and 17's, but a few of Yonicks under 18's team turned up too, so they joined in. We did a similar session to our Table View one on Thursday, and got them into possession based exercises, which they did really well in actually. Although it was completely silent the whole time. None of them talked to eachother! Even when we told them to call names, the most they'd do is mumble. It was crazy. I've never coached a team so quiet.
After a hot, tiring day we made our way home, where we plan on chilling out, watching the Chelsea-PSG game on the TV. I know you should always support clubs from your country, but I can't stand Chelsea one bit, so hoping for a PSG win!
Harry
Day 26 - Learning Centre 3.0
Today was our final Monday we have where we are scheduled to work. As a result of the Communicare Action Soccer League being delayed for a couple of weeks, we've had Saturdays off, and work Mondays. As it all starts this Saturday, though, we now have every Monday off. Not too bad.
It was a pretty boring day, to be honest, so there wont be much to this post. As part of our time here at Communicare, when we are at the Learning Centre, Lourens, Joe, Azille and co want us to help them out giving a hand to the people that come in to use the computers. However, most of the people that come in, don't need help at all, so we end up chilling out for most of the day on the computers, which isn't too bad. We only had to help one lady who had a bit of trouble with some files that she wanted to save on her memory stick. Other than that, zilch.
As there is going to be a little tournament on the Ruyterwacht circle on Saturday, for an official opening of it, Joe had some nets in the storage cupboard that he wanted to see if they would fit on the goals, so Martin and I grabbed a bag each, and walked over to the circle with Joe. There was a big cleanup happening at the same time, and to be honest, the circle looked amazing. It was nice and clean, and looked really good. We went over, tried a net on each goal. Both fitted, happy days. Before we left, some guy came over, and wanted us to check out the Bee Hives that been spotted in 3 of the trees surrounding the circle. Bit hesitant, we both went. The first couple of trees you had to look closely to see the hive, but on the third tree, you couldn't go near it, it was huge! Bees were flying around everywhere it was crazy. Apparently Lutvia is going to come and sort it out soon. Wouldn't be surprised if she sorted it out herself, bare handed. She's terrifying. Martin's admitted many times that she scares him. I'm a little bit more brave though, as shes tought me a bit of Afrikaans.
A little while later, Joe came in to the computer room where we had just had lunch, and asked us if we wanted to go with him to the Drommedaris complex. Apparently he had let some woman take control of the main building in the complex or something, and wanted to see if she'd left it in decent condition. As we had nothing else to do we were more than happy to come along.
Not much to say other than it was nice and clean!
After that, we headed to the Brooklyn office, where Joe had to pick something up. We also saw Conan there! We were welcomed with bad news, though, as we found out that Conan is leaving Communicare on the 27th February. We were gutted. He promised us that we'd still see him and that which is nice. He even slotted in a potential invite to his and his wife's birthday do in the middle of March, which should be good.
After getting back to the Learning Centre we were free to go home. Tired and hot, we headed straight back, in preparation for the FA Cup draw, and the Man Utd - Preston game, which Preston were unlucky to lose in my opinion. None of United's goals should have counted. First one was offside, second was a push on the defender, third was a disgusting dive from the England captain. Shameful. Typical Man Utd though. Sets up a decent quarter final with us, which from the looks of it we should be winning it. But we never seem to turn up at Old Trafford which worries me a bit.
Harry
It was a pretty boring day, to be honest, so there wont be much to this post. As part of our time here at Communicare, when we are at the Learning Centre, Lourens, Joe, Azille and co want us to help them out giving a hand to the people that come in to use the computers. However, most of the people that come in, don't need help at all, so we end up chilling out for most of the day on the computers, which isn't too bad. We only had to help one lady who had a bit of trouble with some files that she wanted to save on her memory stick. Other than that, zilch.
As there is going to be a little tournament on the Ruyterwacht circle on Saturday, for an official opening of it, Joe had some nets in the storage cupboard that he wanted to see if they would fit on the goals, so Martin and I grabbed a bag each, and walked over to the circle with Joe. There was a big cleanup happening at the same time, and to be honest, the circle looked amazing. It was nice and clean, and looked really good. We went over, tried a net on each goal. Both fitted, happy days. Before we left, some guy came over, and wanted us to check out the Bee Hives that been spotted in 3 of the trees surrounding the circle. Bit hesitant, we both went. The first couple of trees you had to look closely to see the hive, but on the third tree, you couldn't go near it, it was huge! Bees were flying around everywhere it was crazy. Apparently Lutvia is going to come and sort it out soon. Wouldn't be surprised if she sorted it out herself, bare handed. She's terrifying. Martin's admitted many times that she scares him. I'm a little bit more brave though, as shes tought me a bit of Afrikaans.
A little while later, Joe came in to the computer room where we had just had lunch, and asked us if we wanted to go with him to the Drommedaris complex. Apparently he had let some woman take control of the main building in the complex or something, and wanted to see if she'd left it in decent condition. As we had nothing else to do we were more than happy to come along.
Not much to say other than it was nice and clean!
After that, we headed to the Brooklyn office, where Joe had to pick something up. We also saw Conan there! We were welcomed with bad news, though, as we found out that Conan is leaving Communicare on the 27th February. We were gutted. He promised us that we'd still see him and that which is nice. He even slotted in a potential invite to his and his wife's birthday do in the middle of March, which should be good.
After getting back to the Learning Centre we were free to go home. Tired and hot, we headed straight back, in preparation for the FA Cup draw, and the Man Utd - Preston game, which Preston were unlucky to lose in my opinion. None of United's goals should have counted. First one was offside, second was a push on the defender, third was a disgusting dive from the England captain. Shameful. Typical Man Utd though. Sets up a decent quarter final with us, which from the looks of it we should be winning it. But we never seem to turn up at Old Trafford which worries me a bit.
Harry
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Day 25 - Aquarium
Another Sunday, another end to the week. Also it's match day! Arsenal vs Middlesborough in the FA Cup.
As the game didn't kick off until 6pm our time, Martin and I agreed we'd do something touristy today in order to tick another experience off of our long list of things we want to do while we're out here. Today was either going to be Hout Bay beach or Aquarium.
After having a nice lie in, and waking up at around 11, we were both feeling the effects of yesterday's trip up Lions Head mountain, especially in our legs, so neither of us felt like going taking a trip to the beach, which we had no idea how to get too. So a trip to the Aquarium was chosen. After having breakfast and getting showered we set off. As the Aquarium was down by the Waterfront we decided to walk it, as it was a nice day and it wasn't a long walk.
When we got there, we had a look at prices, then set off to have a look around the shopping centre and grabbing a drink. We stopped at a place called La Playa, and ordered milkshakes. Martin got an Oreo one, I got a Nutella one. Phwoar. They were beautiful. Massive glasses, and tasty milkshakes. It was brilliant. We had a bit more of a look around town, before heading to the Aquarium to get tickets. It was only R125, which works out at around £7 for a day ticket, which was pretty good.
The Aquarium was brilliant. I loved it. They had all kinds of different fish, sharks, Rays, and even penguins! My favourite! They stank but they were so cool to see up close. Some fish were really weird looking though, and freaked me out a bit. We saw a few sharks in this big tank along with sting rays, a huge turtle, and other massive fish, and it made me want to go shark cage diving even more. They looked so cool up close it was quality.
After we finished looking round the Aquarium, we set off to the Ferrymans pub to watch the game. Last time we went we lost 2-1 to Spurs, and Martins superstitious side kicked in and he was a bit sceptical of going there again. As it was the only place we knew we could see the game at I made him go. We decided to grab some dinner there too as it was getting late, Martin got a burger, and I opted for a huge rack of ribs. 1.2kg worth of ribs to be exact. They were massive! After failing to finish off my ribs at Da Vinci's a while ago, Martin was making jokes at me about not being able to finish these. Game on. Around 45 minutes later I had successfully scoffed down 1.2kg of ribs, along with a side order of chips. Beautiful. On to watch the game.
We actually played really well, and won 2-0, to get into the quarter finals! Ground got a brace, and I was gutted he didn't bag a hat trick. Also proved to Martin that the Ferrymans wasn't a cursed place to watch the football after all!
Got an early start tomorrow so I'll end the post here. Joe wants us at the Learning Centre for 9am! So we're both aiming to get an early night.
Harry
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