Tour Blog- Chepstow-Stratford-Rugby-London

As we head towards the back straight of the tour we have started to see a few of the more sickly of the boys struggle to fight off a few nagging viruses. Jake left an impressive pavement pizza outside Millennium Stadium in Wales and Nick is walking very gingerly after many visits to various toilets throughout the UK. Look out his soon to be published traveller’s guide Bogs of the British Isles. As these two convalesced on the bus the rest of the group visited the site of the 1999 World Cup; the impressive Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The tour of the stadium impressed on the boys the proud traditions of Welsh rugby as we visited the dressing rooms, national honour boards and press room and stood next to the hallowed turf of the pitch. Two Speeds Nishioka, sporting a rather fetching ginger moustache and eye catching peacock coloured dress( after a Kangaroo Court session), fittingly sat in the same chair as Queen Elizabeth does when she attends the rugby.

The match against Chepstow was our first one in wet conditions. Despite the sleet the boys played manfully and dominated their opposition. Forwards once again were able to secure possession and drive forward and our backs ran some good lines and held on to the ball in the slippery conditions. All Saints ran out winners to the tune of 26-12. The try scorers were Jordan White, Mitch White, Izaac Johnson, Dalton Cole and Luke Alker three conversions.

Special thanks must go to the Chepstow coach, Andy Clark whose hospitality and genuine rugby passion ensured a meaningful and memorable experience for the whole All Saints squad in this wonderful part of the UK.

We departed Chepstow and made our way to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon –Avon. On the way we made a quick stop at Tintern Abbey. Wordsworth’s words about this tranquil and beautiful Norman abbey are quite apt;

These beauteous forms

Through a long absence, have not been to me As is a landscape to a blind man's eye: But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din Of towns and cities, I have owed to them In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart; And passing even into my purer mind, With tranquil restoration: -- feelings too Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps, As have no slight or trivial influence On that best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered, acts Of kindness and of love.

The boys were able to recharge their batteries a little during our stop over in Stratford upon Avon. With nothing planned, we explored the birthplace of Shakespeare at our leisure. Wayne, who seems to be a little indifferent about Cooky’s company these days, did a runner only to be found outside Shakespeare’s cottage. An emotional reunion transpired and we headed towards Rugby.

Gold Coast weather greeted us at Rugby as we visited the place where it all began. The boys were fortunate enough to have a tour of the historic Rugby School and a game of touch on Rugby Close where William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran...no wonder everyone wanted to kill him! Mr Bale’s competitive streak was exemplified by a 30 metre footrace with the boys. Jack Jeffress showed some toe but after breaking at the start and manhandling other runners Mr Bale prevailed. Mr Nolan surely was just being sporting in not winning. Both have only stopped limping three days later. A friend of Mr Bale’s hosted us for lunch in the curiously named Cock Boarding House; the room could have been straight out of Dead Poet’s Society or Harry Potter. At this point our group is sounding like a touring party of emphysema patients barking and wheezing constantly. A questionable diet of processed pork, tomato sauce, chips and concentrated sugars might have something to do with this epidemic.

Kick off against Lawrence Sheriff was at 2:30 and conditions certainly favoured the tourists with wide azure skies and 23 degrees. After a very sluggish warm up and a cracking start by the local boys the All Saints team eventually woke up and at times, played some of their best rugby on the trip. The lines ran by the boys were incisive and direct and the forwards once again stood up and dominated a larger pack. The boys racked up 36 points to 17. Try scorers were; Daniel Browne, Brendan Solia, Dalton Cole, Jordan White, Kyle Alford and Daniel Reptis. Luke Alker; three conversions. We took off for London early the next morning. Dalton has obviously made a big impact on his mates here as the bus departed for London without him. Kim Chang, official tour head counter has a lot to answer for!

In London we have seen; Buckingham Palace , London Eye, Greenwich, Greece, China Town, Tower of London, the British Museum and a walk through one of Soho’s more lively districts. The boys looked like a prep class walking 4 abreast on the footpath in a very tight formation.

We are all exhausted and are looking forward to a Monopoly tube challenge Sunday morning before departing. See you all at home Tuesday.