I had my last training on Monday, and said goodbye to all of those that I could. Shannon and I spent the afternoon together, and there were a few sad moments but it was time cherished. On Tuesday morning, Shannon dropped me off at my friends families house and she headed for home. Ricky picked me up we had a nice lunch together with Matt, before my journey began.
The Quinnipiac Men’s Soccer team played in Queens on Tuesday night and my flight was out of JFK on Tuesday night, so I travelled down with my old teammate, Will’s parents. We met up with another of my teammates who graduated and his parents for dinner and we had a lovely meal. Once dinner was finished, we had a taxi called and I was on my way. It felt more real leaving this time than last time. And it also felt like one of those movie goodbyes, as I travelled in a taxi through the New York suburbs at sunset. Arrived at the airport with time to spare and made it through security and headed to my gate. We boarded and my seat was at the front of a section, so I just had the flat wall in front of me, which actually gave me more space than having the usual seat in front of me. It was a short 6hr flight in which I got maximum of 3hrs sleep. We arrived early into Dublin around 8.30am UK time and I went through customs and then onto my new terminal for my next flight. Once again I had time to kill but there wasn’t really too much I could do. Another quick 1hr flight to Exeter and I was back in a familiar place. I was instructed by the Irish Customs/Immigration Officer that upon arrival to Exeter I was to find the Customs/Immigration Officer there to stamp my Visa sticker to activate and acknowledge that I had entered into the U.K. However, the Officer wouldn’t stamp it because it was considered to be a common entry point, and she said to either call the Home Office in London, or exit the U.K. to Europe and re enter to get it activated. So that was frustrating information to learn.
I then had a 2hr wait before the bus arrived to take me from Exeter Airport to downtown Exeter. Once I arrived, I went for a walk around the block to try and find a place where I could get a top-up for my sim so that my phone would be back on the U.K. network. I succeeded and then returned to the bus stop, only to have found out that there was a delay in my bus arriving. So I sat around, and sat around, and then I looked up the progress of the bus. It showed that it was over 5hrs delayed. I needed to eat, so once again I took a walk and found a restaurant but decided against it and just went to a supermarket to get a few things. Bread, coleslaw, cheese, ham and chocolate. As I walked back I saw that a National Express bus was parked in the lane where my bus was supposed to be coming, and then I saw the number, and it was my bus number. They had sent a replacement. I boarded and made myself a sandwich! Eventually we left and an hour down the road, we made it to Plymouth. A few hours late, but I got there. I headed down the streets and got to my Backpackers/Hostel. It is what you can expect for paying $20 a night, but it does the trick. A nice refreshing shower and catch up with those who tracked my travel and I finally headed to sleep.
Thursday dawned a lovely day and I was well rested. I headed to the supermarket to get a few more supplies, mostly for breakfast. I returned and ate some breakfast as I chatted with a couple people who stay at the backpackers long term. Later I headed out to the post office where I am to pick up my visa on September 25th. I went along to just check if I could even pick it up after the problems I had coming in. They said, so long 
as I have the stamp from Ireland showing I entered, its fine and I can pick up my visa. That was very good news to hear. So Ill head back on Sunday to pick it up. The rest of my day I spent wandering around the streets of Plymouth and then spent a few hours up at The Hoe, which overlooks the water. There was a massive tent there for the Plymouth University Graduation. It brought back memories for sure. I spent my afternoon reading and laying in the sun just resting. Rory picked me up later that evening for training. It was good to catch up with him, and it was good to get a training in with the team.
On Friday I found a nearby park where I was able to do my own training. I took a ball from training last night and a few cones, so I had some supplies to allow me to have a good session. Once I was showered, I headed back up to The Hoe, and continued to read my book. I took a stroll down through the Barbican and in and around the surrounding streets, before finally heading home for the evening.
It was an early wake up for me, and of course the kitchen downstairs was locked. I had planned what I was going to eat and what I was going to make for the long trip, but I couldn’t do any of that as my refrigerated stuff was behind locked doors. Luckily I had some supplies in my room. Rory picked me up and we headed for the meeting spot where we hitched a ride with the Manager, Lee. While we waited for Lee, we went into the supermarket, and I was able to stock myself for the day appropriately. The long journey began. It was 45min to the meeting spot for the team bus, and then another 3.5hrs by bus to the game. The trip was made all the more easier by chatting with some of the lads, and live TV. Eventually, we made it to West London. I watched the game from the stands as I am still not yet cleared to play. The first half I was camped among the h
ome team fans, as I wanted to just watch our backline and see what they were doing and how they played. In the second half I was at the end we were attacking and I got to see 2 late goals. A comeback with for Truro, 2-1. I met a few of the Truro fans who had heard bits and bobs about me, and so that was nice. And then the long bus ride home began. However a happy bus ride because of the 3 points earned on the road.
Highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L41L7NIZFg
Sunday was another day of training by myself. It was productive again, and just getting thousands of touches on the ball is beneficial! When I returned, there was an annual street party that goes on down the street that I am staying. It was a little different, but a bit of entertainment nonetheless. Later I headed back up to my reading spot and just enjoyed the Sunday afterno
on sun. There had been a seafood festival going on in town, however when I went late in the afternoon, it seemed as everyone was packing up to go home. I missed out unfortunately. I then went back and found a new reading seat with a little bit of a different view as the sunset. I was hoping to see a nice sunset, however the wind that was freezing me, blew in some clouds, and there was no true colorful sunset to witness. I had to head home before I became too cold to walk.
I have also been fortunate enough for my old strength and conditioning coach, Megan, to have the willingness to put me on a program and train me while I am here. I trained every day, with 3 sessions in the gym, and four sessions with running and sprinting. Adapting to the heat has certainly been a challenge but it just adds an element to it all. I have managed to get ball work in when I can, however I am still unsure whether I am allowed to train with the team. Hopefully I will get confirmation tomorrow whether I can or cannot train with them so that I can sort out a plan for the next two weeks.
My afternoon has been nothing extraordinary. I have just been tracking the Blackcaps cricket as well as following the olympics as best I can. I made a good lunch as well. An uneventful evening also, just preparing my last little things to return to the USA tomorrow. Of course I wrote this previous sentence before my evening occurred. I had assumed a casual evening at the house, however when Rory and Carly got home from work around 4pm, they freshened up and suggested we go into town for a wander and some food. It was a lovely evening where we spent some time on the old Navy base at a nice little restaurant having tea, coffee and treats, before we went off to another restaurant on the other side of the water to have dinner. The night was filled with lots of chat about various topics. Lots of business chat, some football chat, and some general chat. It was nice to relax and hang out and get to know them a little for and for them to get to know me. It was just the Friday night we needed. Finally we did head home and I sorted my last few things before the early ups tomorrow morning. 
With keeping the trend of seeing friends from NZ in my travels, High school friend Alice Gray was up in Plymouth from Falmouth today to do a bit of shopping. I endured a 45min walk into town because I didn’t understand the bus system and didn’t want to get stuck in somewhere I didn’t know. I was able to wander around a little bit and see a few sights before we met up for a bit of ice cream and a catch up in the Olympic Fanzone. We also managed to catch Kiwi Lisa Carrington race to bronze in here K1 500m race on the big screen. It was lovely to catch up as we figure out that the last time we had seen each other was 2013. She is doing well and enjoying some travels before she begins her first full time job as a nurse in Christchurch! I then made the 45min journey home, as I felt blister begin to form on my feet, but I made it home. 
Came home and had some breakfast to refuel before showering and relaxing. I read some of my book in the sun, before Adriano and I made lunch/his pre match meal. It was delicious. Eventually we hit the road. First we stopped at the Truro City Managers place, Lee Hodges, who would then take the three of us down to the game. I was about an hours drive with some lovely scenery. We chatted a little bit in the car, but it was more Rory and Lee talking about the game tonight and the tactics etc. We arrived at the ground an
d I met most of the players and looked around the dressing room and the field etc. I watched the game from the stands. It was nice to watch the team that I will be playing for play, just so that I can get a good understanding of what I am in for, the level of the league, and the tactics of the team. It opened my eyes to a lot of things, and there certainly is room for improvement, in which I hope to assist with. Unfortunately Truro City lost 3-1.
Home to shower and eat, before we went out and did a big shop. We got all the food we need for the week and split the bill. Safe to say we wont go hungry thats for sure. I then went and helped out with Rory and Carly’s Ice Cream business, 
My flight was quick and painless. I had wanted to try and stay awake to see the Irish coastline, however we got above the clouds and I passed out. Next thing we were circling just above Exeter as there was trouble on the runway. Soon enough we landed and my bags arrived, always a bonus. I went out and met Rory Fallon in the car park. Rory has been assisting with my new move and he is actually a Player/Coach at Truro City FC. Rory is also a current member of the New Zealand All Whites and famously scored the winner against Bahrain to send NZ to the World Cup in 2010. Rory is a lot more experienced and has been in the U.K. for 18 years now as a pro.
Woke up today for my last training with the lads. Because they had played the night before, the 11 starters did recovery, while the bench, myself, Dean and a new signing trained. It was a good competitive session for us all. I was happy with my play and made the same mistake a few times, so I am always learning and developing as a player. When I begin training next week, I will be sure to focus on that. I said goodbye to most the lads after training, with all of them wishing me well. It really has been a wonderful environment to be in for the last two months. The club was a great place to start my journey, and although it didn’t turn out the way I wanted with a contract, it served a great purpose, I developed a lot and I made some great new friends.
A bunch of us headed off for lunch and to watch the first premier league game of the season. And then we spent the rest of the afternoon watching the other games that were going on. It is exciting for me to be in the UK for the Premier League.