Learning the Hard way.

Here within the game reserve we have been visited by several animals around the lodges.
One of our group has now realised the value of closing his door. whilst playing outside it was left open and on return he discovered his ice cream had been taken and a present had been left in its place by the local monkey population. (more details on our return!!!!)

Tommorrow is our second game and we are looking forward to the main rugby stage of the tour!
before kicking off in the afternoon we have 1 more game drive in the morning where some of the boys will be going on horseback.

best regards to everyone back home.

Hello from Mebula Game Park.

Hi everyone, we have managed to find an antique laptop to use, here in the wild country.
The landscape and lodge are absolutely stunning..
We have had 3 game drives since arriving, two evenings in the main reserve where we have seen, Hippo's, Giraffe, Crocs, Rhino's and a multitude of antelope, wilderbeast e.t.c.
This morning we were up at 6am!!!! yes it is not a typo the boys were all ready and wearing 15 layers against the cold, but everyone was keen to see the lions in their enclosure.
The only animals eluding as are the Elephant's & Leopard (which we are told is incredibly hard to spot!) sorry P Dias joke there.

The food here in S Africa is amazing and we have discovered that you have two options:
A= Meat
B= Chicken

1st Game

We are in the hotel now where there is a pool and a temptation of Mcdonalds accross the road.
The coaches are resolute however and have bartered down the hotel for a meal to prepare for the game tommorrow!
We hope everyone is well at home and will be in touch when we can.

Day 3

Today we left Konka Kamps and set off back towards Pretoria stopping at the Lasedi Cultural village.
One of the boys described the experience as a bit like Beamish in Africa, but with Elephant Skulls Zulu Warriors & barbequeed caterpillers. (I'll leave you to observe the likenesses).
The Village welcomed us and the first real opportunity for souveneers presented itself. Needless to say there are some interesting gifts on their way back to the uk. And some of our group have learnt some valuable bartering skills from Mr Johnny Hedley who displayed cool confidence within the Market.
Within the Village we were taken around and introduced to many different tribes and explained a little about each. The trip culminated in a giant hut adorned with elephant skulls (very indiana jones as observed by one of the younger members of the tour) in the hut we were treated to some amazing traditional dancing with Will Peart-Bentham holding his own in the dancing ring whilst Mr Dias was challenged to stickfighting by the Mderbele. A great trip and very educational with the boys now aware that in the future a wife is worth 20 cows and sits on the right of the hut because "they are always right!"

At the end of the trip we had some traditional cuisine with Sweet & sour crocodile, Biltong, Ostrich and chocholate pudding with custard!

Day 2

This day was spent Training and doing run-throughs with the boys with the absolutely stunning landscape setting. Everyone is doing well with fitness & altitude.
The team is really Gelling together & gives us great hope for the 1st game.
At 3pm we handed over to our camp Reps Jocelyn & Bazooka!! both were great and everyone had a fantastic afternoon of activities with an aerial runway accross the lake and team-building activities on a bush course where we needed to communicate well and work together. (great preparation for the rest of the tour).
When the sun goes down it is absolutely Baltic, and it has taken a few of us by surprise!
(needless to say that the Hoody & 3 jackets we have been provided with are well used already!)
It was a BBQ tonight with some truly amazing steaks.

Live from Hatfield Pretoria!

Hi everyone, here is a quick run-through of the last few days!

Day1 - After 2 long flights (where the boys finally settled to sleep on the second one) we were met by our Edwin Doran rep & Freddy our Bus driver. Then travelling 2 hours to Konka Camps where it was a quick check-in then out to the "pitches" to stretch legs and for our first training session.
All went well with a supper which was completely demolished.

Final Fixture confirmation

Hi everyone, hope everyone is nearly ready for the off!
We have a confirmation of who we will be playing for the first fixture.
The details are:
 

Saturday 14 July

0830 hrs Breakfast at your hotel.

0930 hrs Board your coach and transfer to EESTERUST RUGBY STADIUM in EERSTERUST.

1000 hrs Arrive and warm up ahead of this mornings match:

1100 hrs EERSTERUST YOUTH v DURHAM SCHOOL

Following the game there will be some hospitality with your opponents.

This afternoon you can visit the Voortrekker Monument and Museum Monument Hill (not included). This massive granite structure dominates the skyline at the southern entrance to the city of Pretoria.

Commemorating the Great Trek, in particular the Battle of Blood River, fought on 16 December 1838, the monument remains hallowed ground for many Afrikaners. The museum has memorabilia relating to the Great Trek, including the "female" version of the monument frieze – huge tapestries depicting a romanticised version of the Great Trek's social events. Also worth seeing are the beautiful Union Buildings, one of South Africa’s architectural masterpieces and the setting for Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President on 10 May 1994.

1730 hrs Board your coach and transfer to the Loftus Versfeld Stadium for Super 15 fixture.

1900 hrs BULLS v LIONS (own arrangements – Hillary will give you your tickets on arrival)

2130 hrs Board your coach and return to your hotel. 

the details of the school are:

  EERSTERUST YOUTH

Eersterus Secondary School

January Avenue

EESTERUST 

Pretoria

When I have found a website link I will post that up!
Its getting closer!!!!

A big warm welcome to everyone coming to visit this Blog. It is still in its infancy, but do have a look around, we have links to our generous sponsors and links back to the school website where an electronic version of the Tour programme will be available.

Looks like the cricket is off today and BBQ's are on standby later!

I don't know about any of the boys but I haven't packed a thing yet (going to be a busy weekend).
A reminder to all parents that the boys can use both bags to pack, up to a combined 25kgs with the rucksack as hand luggage.

We will be meeting in the Airport at 10:30am, dressed to impress in red polo-shirt & tour tracksuit.
Hope everyone enjoys the last days of term and I will see you at the airport on Tuesday.

Regards
Mr Clayton

 

Paintballing

Thanks to John for all of his hard work with the kit. It all looks absolutely fantastic!!!

Start of the Blog!!!

Ok please bear with me as this is my first attempt at Blogging.

Hello to everyone who has helped us with the preparation of our tour to South Africa.
We are currently in the final throes of packing ready for the off on Tuesday.
I just cannot believe it is finally here.

A big thank you for everyone who has sponsored us or helped us with fund-raising.