A good load up at breakfast was required for a long day of coach education and after close avoidance of the thick gravy looking ‘porridge’, as they so called it, this was accomplished.  The first task of the day was to find an internet café to upload the blog. After being hounded to buy a Kenya cap, flag, map and English to Swahili book we finally found one.

By the time I had got back the session was in full flow, with Luke leading 25 local teachers, pupils and coaches.  This was just in time for a game of hand hockey in which our time won. But the highlight was the dedication Catherine showed by a full length dive to score her team a point, but in the process her wig falling completely off. She propped it back into place and carried on as though nothing had happened. Absolute trouper.  More games followed including a rather competitive game of non-stop cricket (we won again) and the Lord’s game. It was great to see everyone getting so involved, even Abraham our bus driver was getting amongst it.

The rest of the morning was made up of demonstrating all the fundamental skills of cricket: catching, throwing and bowling. Some picked up the process quicker than others, but I found that was mainly due to the language barrier or lack of cricket experience. Those that came from a cricket background we asked to use their non-dominant hand to see what it was like to be a beginner again. But this was no problem for Peter who could bowl just as fast with his left and his right (quicker than Jamie I believe).  Their bowling was then tested in a competitive game, in which my team (the yellows), won yet again. I can see a common theme here. The second half of the day was mainly trying to incorporate our ‘ABC’ HIV awareness messages into coaching and for them to demonstrate some simple catching drills. My group were excellent at embedding our key words into their sessions; this was so pleasing to see. I think all they really needed was a bit of confidence to deliver their skills and drills, which I know will only come with practice.

The rain came just as we finished and so it was off to the local coffee shop for a smoothie and a coffee. Café Guava delivered and it is safe to say that we will be going back there a fair few times this week. Table tennis was then set up by the poolside but was shortly interrupted by an aerobics session. This was just something that couldn’t be missed. Jamie, Lee, Luke and I felt obliged to join in, even though we didn’t have our spandex with us. I have to say it was hard core, Luke (dropout) couldn’t manage the whole thing. I have a feeling my abs and hamstrings may have something to say to me tomorrow. This definitely required a cool down which Jamie, Lee and James thought would be best by jumping in our dead-fly covered pool.

The evening entailed a curry from the Magic Carpet, the restaurant above the supermarket. Jamie ordered everything on the menu that he had no idea what it was, which had surprisingly successful results. Despite being chucked out of the building as they were spraying ‘bad chemicals’, the only disappointment of the evening was the Hot Turbo Naan, which unlike its name was fairly mild. Seriously stuffed, we headed back and stopped off for a quick drink. Sarah and I headed in after just one drink to let the men head on down to the Gentleman’s bar. We are total team players. But to be perfectly honest we were both shattered from what I’m sure you can see was a pretty packed day; more of the same tomorrow then.