And we’re back! I hope you missed us.

It’s been an eventful three days with lots of fun, laughs and a bit of basketball. In addition to making some great friends with our new homestay buddies at Antelope High School and Center High School, our troop of intrepid travellers have also represented Tenison Woods College exceptionally well on the court. Our girls battled hard in the Claude Brock Tournament and came away with two narrow losses and capped it off with a 30 point win. The girls received some exceptional generosity during their time at Center with Gabby and Emma’s homestay shouting the team out to a buffet lunch and we even received some cookies made for the girls by ex-patriot, Tracey. The boys came across some tough competition in the Titan Holiday Classic but managed to hold their own. After a big loss in the opening game, they rallied with a come from behind win and then a slim loss in the consolation final. As much as all the crew enjoyed the basketball experience, there was also much jubilation that they could pack away their basketball uniforms and now concentrate on the serious stuff of sightseeing – it’s time to be a tourist!

That jubilation might not have been obvious when we met all our little poppets at the bus at 6.30am this morning ready to head to the airport to fly out to Los Angeles. Quiet, very quiet. After a brief wait and an expensive Sacramento Airport breakfast later we boarded the plane, and pretty much everyone took the opportunity for a nap. Slightly refreshed after our brief shut eye we hopped on the bus and headed straight down to the Santa Monica pier. We had a quick chance to catch all the sights of Santa Monica and enjoy a little bit of sun (we haven’t seen that for a while) before we walked down Santa Monica Boulevard, had a look at some shops and enjoyed a quick meal. Most took the opportunity to try America’s favourite Johnny Rockets Burger Bar (all in the name really isn’t it). The portion sizes are huge and the food is delicious. With full bellies, we were then off to watch a NCAA Men’s Basketball match featuring USC versus Long Beach State. We had a little mini tour on the way to the game with our bus driver pointing out areas of interest. With tired little eyes we watched the game – things livened up a bit when four of the lads donned Trojan hats to show their support. With the game won by USC, we hopped back onto our ‘home away from home’ and headed to the motel. We checked in, ate, and then it was an early night decree by Bucks in preparation for our huge day tomorrow – Disneyland and California Adventure Park. That’s right people, we’re going to be “kickin’ it with the mouse”. The kids are excited, it’s sure to be a restless night in anticipation.

Things you’ve missed since the last blog:

• Day 13 Flag winner: Jaidyn Lawrence….it was only a matter of time til this young gent earnt his chance at the crown. It seems while touring Alcatraz Island, Jaidyn was heard to ponder loudly “is this island man made?” Nothing gets past this young intellect. There was also some slip sliding down a wet path that may or may not have been graceful.
• Sharon and myself getting abandoned at Center High School. Picture all us girls (young and old) getting divided into pairs and everyone getting picked by billets, but us. Awkward. It was like being back in High School all over again. All I can say is those billets don’t know what they were missing. Big mistake….huge. (we were eventually taken in by our new Antelope friends, they appreciated us).
• Storing the girls’ luggage in the Center High School storeroom. When it comes time to collect them and go home with their homestays (except for me and Sharon) the new doors that had only been in place for three weeks and had yet to have a lock installed had somehow been shut and thus, could not be opened. There was panic from the girls – there was fresh shopping bags in there. As the girls squealed with panic, the Center High School door openers pushed, pulled and eventually jimmied the new doors open. Luggage 1 – doors 0.
• Emma dropping her water bottle in the toilet and washing it off and then proceeding to continue to drink out of it. When we protested that was a touch gross, (and unhygienic) she exclaimed that the nozzle hadn’t touched the water it had only nestled against the rim. Euuuuugh.
• Sharon and myself driving a car to and from Center High School (thank you to our beloved Antelope homestay). I think you can picture it, but let’s just say there was screaming, a couple of profanities and lots of laughs. Our Varsity girls offered their prayers and best wishes. They even expressed mild concern.
• Not 20 minutes after a sad farewell (complete with hugs) with Michelle when she left us with the Antelope troop, Gabby said to Sharon that Michelle had recommended she didn’t play today, to which Sharon was heard to exclaim “Michelle, who’s Michelle.” Gold, absolute gold. (Michelle is yet to forgive Sharon for this little indiscretion. Add to that that we forgot to get her a coffee and you can imagine the pain we are currently going through).

The Flag!

With a mother who has been a dual winner of the flag, it was only a matter of time til this young soldier came away with the title. Welcome to the flag family, Oscar Adams. Oscar is renowned as being a big softie when it comes to animals, so it comes as no surprise that the big fella took an instant liking to the pets at his homestay’s house in Antelope. In particular, he built up quite the friendship with ‘Rimcon’ the Staffy Terrior Cross. Rimcon received lots of pats and attention and even some little treats, maybe a few too many treats. Actually, may I rephrase that to waaaaay too many treats. It seems Oscar enjoyed feeding Rimcon chocolate and Rimcon enjoyed eating the chocolate, but all the fun and games stopped when Oscar fed him that much that he vomited on the bed. Let it be known that his homestays never found out the real reason behind Rimcon’s vomiting outbreak – let’s hope Oscar hasn’t killed him with kindness.