Aug 20-27: Hamden, USA

It has been a busy week, catching up with friends, training, and sorting out my visa. The time has flown by and it is like I never left really. Many familiar faces around, which makes it comfortable to return to. It certainly has been nice to catch up with many friends and see how their summers went.

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.

And the whole reason why I returned was to apply for my visa. I applied online on Sunday, had my appointment on Thursday, and sent the package away soon after my appointment, with it arriving into New York by Friday morning. Hopefully it is processed fairly quickly and it is returned to me soon so that I can get moving with my career and start playing over there. Registration and signing a contract is all dependent on the clearance of the visa and me being present, so the sooner I receive it, the sooner I should be able to start playing. We shall see as the week goes on.

View of QU from Sleeping Giant

Being back in Hamden has allowed me to do some familiar things, climbing the Sleeping Giant, eating a familiar restaurants, and also watch both the QU Men’s and Women’s soccer teams. It is different not being a part of the team anymore, and I don’t have the
emotional connection anymore, yet I will still support them and hope for the best of them, but my time is up with them. Hopefully I will get to catch a few more games while I am here. I have also managed to rest up pool side during many of the afternoons after my hard work is done in the morning.

 

Day 65 – Plymouth, UK to Hamden, USA

It was an early morning as I was getting dropped at the airport and the others were meeting for the team bus to head to their game. I arrived at Exeter Airport with plenty of time to relax. It was a short trip across to Dublin and I had a good nap. Because I didnt book my flights to be connection, I had to go through customs and then get my bag and then walk to another terminal and then check in. I had plenty of time and it all worked out. Thankfully Dublin airport had free wifi and I was able to watch the Olympics to fill my time. Everything was on time and I got away fairly pain free.

The 6.5hr flight to JFK, New York wasn’t bad and I managed a couple short naps, a movie, and read a fair few pages of my new book, Grit by Angela Duckworth. Finally we landed at 6.05pm US time, which was 11.05pm UK time. And for me, I still have 2 legs of my journey to go. After a fair hassle, I finally caught my shuttle to Grand Central and made the 8.34pm train. Arrived safe and well at 10.30pm into New Haven and my ride was waiting for me. A long day of travel but I was back in Hamden, all too familiar of a place!

Day 64 – Plymouth

Woke up early and Carly and Rory had a few challenges with their work overnight and were fixing them this morning. Eventually Rory and I went off to train in the rain. We had a short and sharp session of mostly technical work, and some passing. Im still pretty tense in these trainings because of the importance of them and can sometimes get frustrated because I know Im better than I am performing. I just need to settle down and focus on what I can control and improve on. I finished with three runs around the cricket pitch again, and Rory was impressed on my fitness and commented that that is one thing that I will be able to use to knock off those in the team ahead of me. Once the runs were completed, we headed home. A quick shower and a big breakfast to refuel. I spent the rest of the morning packing and organizing my things.

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. 

Once I return to the USA, my blog posts will be only once a week, and most likely when I return to England after hopefully obtaining my visa, they will stay at once a week.

 

Day 63 – Plymouth

This morning I began my packing and organizing on what I would take back to the states and what I would leave here for when I returned. It wasn’t too much of a process, and ill finish it all off tomorrow.

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. 

We headed off to training eventually. This was my first real session with the team so it was nerving but exciting. After a good solid warm up, they split the players up. Those who played on Tuesday night went off with the manager and played soccer tennis, and then the 5 others and two goal keepers went off and did a lot of hard work. We would play 2v2 plus a floater and have the goalkeepers in the smaller goals. It was a run around and frustrating because it wasn’t game realistic and the situation wasn’t defined as any specific in a game. 2v2 in a game usually occurs in a breakaway situation, where as here we are on a small pitch trying to play. I did what I could and when we did the running I put in the extra effort to prove my fitness. We eventually finished with a 6v6 game which was better to play in because it was a little more realistic having more numbers on the field. I was fairly satisfied with the session, but just a little frustrated because if we only have one session a week with the team, I have to make the most of every minute of that session to prove my ability to gain a starting spot on the team. I will just have to worry about that when I return from getting my visa, and Ill continue to work hard while I am away. If there is one thing I can be better than everyone on the team, its my fitness and attitude and I will continue to use that to my advantage until I get given my chance.

We headed for home and Carly had prepared a lovely dinner for us to have. Always good to have food ready upon return from night training sessions. Reminds me of my days in Nelson getting home at 8.30pm and dinner being ready 🙂

 

Day 62 – Plymouth

Today was our day off as such because of the game last night. I had a relaxing morning and was in contact with Zane Sole, who is another Kiwi that is coming to Cornwall to play for Truro as well. He is currently in NZ doing his visa process and he gave me great information. The most important information he gave me was that I NEED to have my visa with the health insurance number in order for me to play. So I will want to get on with going to America and getting my visa as soon as.

Later in the morning I jumped on Rory’s bike and headed out along a trail which followed the inlet. It was a nice ride and good to get the legs moving a bit. And nice to see the area a little bit. Once I returned home I think went for a walk around the water closer to the house. It was nice again to just explore a little bit and get outside.

Once Rory was home, I spoke to him about the visa and playing and he said, the sooner the better. So I had to wait till my parents were up to confirm with them that I would change my flights to this Saturday instead of my original flight on September 5th. At first I was struggling to find flights at appropriate times with travel to airports etc. but then I got creative and sorted it out. But the challenge wasn’t done yet. In order to change a previous booking you must call to change it. I got put on hold and that drained my phone balance because it was an international call. I then topped up my phone, and got put on hold for an even longer period this time, draining all of my renewed funds on the phone. So then I FaceTimed Mum and Dad. Dad pulled through using his magic and somehow getting the change fee a lot cheaper than previously assumed. He sure did well, even though he really isn’t sure where they transferred his call to…Auckland to USA to then China he thinks. Who knows, all I care, I have my flights booked to return to the USA on Saturday August 20th. What a mission and a lot of frustration, but we got there. Onto the next step!

Day 61 – Plymouth

Woke up to another sunny morning. Had a banana before Rory and I headed out to train. It is game day and Rory wont be playing because of a knock he got, but Adriano is, so he got to sleep in. We had another good session, and slowly the nerves are settling down. Yesterday, because it was a new environment and new people to prove myself too, I felt very nervous and made many mistakes. But things calmed down a bit today and I was able to focus a little more. Still lots of small things to continue to work on and improve. And like yesterday, I finished with 4 laps around the cricket oval. That is certainly a blow.

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 and 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.

We hit the road and got home pretty late.

 

Day 60 – Plymouth

After a good sleep, I woke to the sun shining through my window. What a lovely change that is. Soon enough Adriano, Rory and myself headed off to do some training. Because Truro isn’t full time professional, and the current game schedule is Tuesday and Saturday, they only manage to get one full team training session in a week. So to stay on the top of their game, all players are expected to put in the extra hard work needed to play at the high level. So we did our share of the hard work. Good warm up, stretch, roll, and band work before we did a few juggling and technique things. Then some first touch work and passing. I finished with 4 1min 90% runs around the cricket oval that we were training at. It was certainly a blow, but it is what I want and need. If I am to progress higher and higher, I need to take my fitness to another level. So that is one focus currently.

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, The Cowlick Creamery. We didn’t have to do too much at the unit, although I did help with pouring milk and cream, and of course I helped with tasting. They also have a barista machine too, and Rory is learning the art of coffee making. That is something that I hope to learn also, so maybe in due time Ill get to practice at the unit.

On our way home, Rory took me for a tiki tour through the City of Plymouth. It was bombed in the 1500s I’m pretty sure and a lot of the rebuild was rushed. There are a few old old buildings which look amazing, and the waterfront/port area is beautiful too. Not a bad wee hang out spot. Finally headed home and cooked another fantastic dinner. I assisted Carly in the kitchen as we baked up an orange drizzle cake for a desert treat. Not a bad evening of company and food at all.

I also gathered all the required information and things to sort out my international clearance as that can often take some time, so we are getting onto that as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Day 59 – New Adventures

I woke up after a good final nights sleep. And as I woke, It sounded as there was water running somewhere. I went down stairs to turn the hot water on so I could take a shower and the whole kitchen was flooded and water was dripping through the ceiling from what looked to be Wardy’s room. I found a few buckets to put under the dripping areas and threw a few towels down. I was getting out of there at the right time, because who knows how long that will take to clean up and fix.

We still managed to get out of the house on time and get me to the bus stop. There was an weird feeling and the town was empty as we drove through. Yes, it’s Sunday, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Said my last good bye to Wardy as he headed off to training and I waited for the bus. Of course, it was drizzling. Just the way of life here in Derry. The bus arrived and I got on. Our trip wasn’t too bad to Belfast. I was dropped off at the Belfast International Airport, and I went inside but saw nothing for FlyBe, the airline I was traveling on. A quick check on my phone to find out that there is another airport in Belfast and that was where I needed to be. So I went back outside to look for a taxi, however my bus was still there. And so I went up and asked the question, and the bus was continuing onto the airport that I needed to go to. So the bags got put back in and I hopped back on.

After arriving at the correct airport, I knew one of my bags was going to be overweight. Thankfully, unlike other airlines and countries, the lady was lovely and helpful and I was able to unpack and sort things out. It just makes the experience so much nicer for me as I can breathe easier. Through security and out the other side. I grabbed some food to keep me going through my journey and then relaxed.

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.

Rory celebrating that famous goal 

The drive from Exeter to Plymouth where he lives with his wife was filled will conversation of mostly football, and also Kiwi memories. We arrived at his house eventually which is a lovely wee place on the inlet. Currently another player from Truro City, Adriano Basso, is staying with Rory until he finds a house. So it will be a full house for a week, until should be getting my own place and Adriano finds a place so that his family can move down from Manchester.

Adriano Basso 

We had a lovely evening chatting and making a good feed on the BBQ. My Kiwi lingo will certainly be coming back with Rory always using it. I have the air mattress for the next few days, but I don’t mind at all.

 

Day 58 – Derry City FC

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.

 

We eventually headed on home as I made my last meal, did my last bits of laundry and finished up packing. I knew that I could take two bags up to 20kg, however one suitcase is a lot bigger than the other. I will find out how much overweight the bag is when I get to the airport tomorrow!

 

Day 57 – Derry City FC

Got a sleep in today as it was game day. After a casual lazy morning I then began to plan my trip and organize all the other things that needed to be sorted out. All is ready for departure on Sunday. However, the packing will continue until the morning I leave.

Throughout the day, various Kiwi athletes were competing in the Olympics so I made sure to catch all that footage. A few more medals and a few unfortunate results, but the Kiwi’s are still doing us all proud.

And then at 8pm Derry vs Finn Harps kicked off. It was an away game, however I didn’t go. This is the Northwest Derby as Finn Park is only 30min down the road. I managed to find a stream online however with no commentary, so it was hard to keep track and watch. In the end Derry won convincingly 5-0. And with other results around the league going Derry’s way, they jump up into 2nd on the table. They are now in a great position going into the last 10 games of the season.