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RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

VACATION TIME WALES, NORWAY AND ITALY 20th November 2009

Soccer seasons can be long and they always build in intensity. So, it is good at the end of a season to take the time to wind down, have a vacation and change focus for a while.

To start with, D and I decided to follow up the national camp and the Norway Cup with a trip to Wales. In fact, we just arrived back today after a visit to west Wales, where it was horribly wet and windy. It was good to return to my aunt's house in Cowbridge, our base, and see a bit of the sun.

We had headed to west Wales on the 18th. I drove to St-David's (named for the patron saint of Wales), and we visited the Cathedral, the Bishop's mansion and St-Non's (who was St David's) mother.

I went on a really good hike along the coast, although the outing might have been better, had the wind not been blowing at gale force. Thank goodness that the wind was blowing in off the sea, and not the other way round, otherwise I might have been in it - awful.

I had intended to reach the westernmost point in Wales, and I did come within eyesight of it, though I turned back, because I had to return in time for an important telephone call. Unfortunately for me, when I arrived back at the car I realized that today was the 18th and not the 19th and that the call was the following night - grr.

That evening I went to the local Aberearon pub to watch the French soccer team rob the Irish team of a place in the FIFA World Cup. I don't think I blame Henry. The person most at fault, in my opinion, was the linesman on that side. He missed two off-sides and two handballs in the space of ten seconds. Where was he? I have always thought that soccer needs to use goal mouth technology. Now there is no doubt in my mind- Ireland was cheated of a place in South Africa.

The following day was a quiet one: A workout in the morning, followed by a day visiting the coastal towns. The day ended in Aberyswyth, a University town, where my great, great great grandfather's publications are kept (he was a great orator at Eisteddfods!)

The following morning D and I set off early and headed for the Brecon Beacon mountains. We had planned a great hill walk and were excited to pull into the parking lot and head off. The weather was brilliant and we headed for the peaks with blue..ish skies above.

Unfortunately once at the top, a wind set in, and not long after, the rain and hail started. I am not known for my common sense, nor my sense of when it is prudent to turn back, but in this case I think I made the right decision. The wind was coming in so strongly that I was being blown all over the place. Poor D, who is weight challenged in comparison to me, was hanging on for dear life. The rain was just bearable. However, then the rain turned to ice pellets and they came smacking into our faces with such force that you honestly thought they were going to draw blood.

That being said the hearty Welsh hikers we met on the trail were still walking by us as if everything was fine and dandy. With a hearty "Hello!" they strode past us. We, less superhuman beings, we Canadians got the heck of that mountain.

The walk only lasted just over two hours, but once back at the car we felt like we had survived an ordeal. D and I had planned to visit a cave on the way back to my aunt's house, but we were so chilled and tired that we unanimously decided to forgo the wet dank cave for the warmth of a house in Cowbridge. My aunt was busy preparing fare for country markets, but we tried to stay out of the way.

Both D and I saw on the internet, that Team Strommen now has a new coaching staff for next season. The previous coaches, Janna and our assistant coach, Monica, had decided during the season that this would be their last with the team. So everyone knew that new coaches would be selected for 2010. Janna and Monica were great coaches and in my opinion, great ambassadors of the game. Both of them put in crazy hours and commitment and did everything possible to make the team as successful as they were this season. I very much enjoyed working with both of them, and IF I return to Norway next year, I shall miss them both.

I have no information about the two new coaches who have been appointed. D and I should have a chance to meet them when we return to Norway in a few weeks time.

In the meantime, I have another few days here in Wales before we head for Italy. I am very excited about the trip. I will only have limited access to computers so will try to file at least a few journals before the holidays.