The week came and went with the minimum of fuss temperatures steadily rise as the Sahara tries to invade southern Spain. Its a dry heat so although it sounds insufferable its actually OK, although I have noticed now that between the hours of 3pm and 6pm the streets are totally empty apart from the ill-dressed tourists, beggars asleep on bits of cardboard and stray dogs. Christine is looking smarter every day with some touch-up paint and some more black trim. I will be tackling the replacement of the fuel pipe with a rubber one this week and with that the insertion of a fuel filter. Le Mans here we come.

The Rodgers family forgot their suncream...for the last time

Last night was rugby training. It’s in Chapin Park which is at least the size of 5 football pitches side by side and is just next door to the football stadium where Jerez Football Club play. It seems strange that such a small town had a football team in the first division last year. To think that Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia played here is quite amazing.

It looks like I have been roped in to coach the main section of the lads whilst the beginners and girls are coached by Carlos.

With temperatures reaching 38ºC I thought it only fair that they all do a warm-up. Just passing the ball between groups of four whilst running.  As I was concentrating on groups 1, 2, and 3, group four had continued to run and pass the ball but instead of stopping at about 50 meters and turning round and coming back like the other groups they just continued to run and pass. They were 200 meters away when I noticed. Where the hell are those four idiots going? I had to whistle and get them to turn back.  I christened them “Groupo Gump”

We had a newcomer called Chaka and he looked like Cat Stevens after a night session on the weed. I am sure he ran up his own backside twice whilst throwing the ball over his shoulder like an Exocet missile. Ahhhh the new boy. I wonder if he comes on Wednesday.

Chaka and his group on their way back

It was an impressive turn-out. There must have been at least 40 at training with a mix of Old and young, boys and girls ….and folk singers.