"Table for One Please"

Days #65-69 (Wed-Sun)

Wednesday

No prison trips today so in the morning was office work which didn't involve much as there was a lot I could help with so after that in the afternoon I headed out for a walk in the amazing setting of the Stellenbosch vineyards!

It was an incredible place to explore. It was an 12km walk over hills, through lots of vineyards and around mini lakes/ponds. I was alone with my thoughts, a chance to take in God's amazing creation with the only noise being the ground beneath my feet.

Thursday

Well today the Prison went into an early lockdown which means prisoners receive there lunch at 11 then spend the rest of the day in there cells- this is due to a function going on so therefore lack of staff.

So no prison today.

However, the day was not lost as in the afternoon I drove over to Somerset West and joined the guys at Helderberg Academy with their training session in Lwandle. Have missed these guys and the boys in Lwandle. Really do enjoy the work with the Helderberg Academy.

Friday

Well friday mornings are free as there is no office work for me to do and we have no coaching in the morning so I woke up early, quick breakfast then headed for the door. I went into Stellenbosch, hired myself a bike and headed for Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.

The cycle to the reserve was fairly long and up as the reserve was apart of the surrounding mountains. But when I eventually reached the reserve it was well worth it and had a great cycle through the amazing scenery.

Friday afternoon I took another training session with the boys from Bellville.

Friday night Ully and Heide were out at friends for the evening so I decided to treat myself to a meal out. "Table for one please." I went to a well recommended grill house, best known for it's steaks and wine. As it was popular the place was full to the brim but they managed to sit me at the bar so I was happy. Great atmosphere, great service, amazing food. Started off with an incredible Italian Tomato Soup (best I've ever had) then moved on to the big daddy, a 300g Steak (Medium) with chips and some seasoned veggies. B-E-A-UTIFUL!

Saturday

Today was family day. Well in the prison it was anyway!

Myself and Ju Ju got up early and headed to Drakenstein Prison. We got there just in time...
It really did surprise me... In the fields where we usually play football there where four large tents (like circus tents) full of people. There was a lot of people, all of the prisoners from this department and all their families where there. Out of our boys only one of their families didn't turn up.

It was a great atmosphere. The sun was shinning, blue skies (little breeze but we will ignore that), the perfect day! Throughout the morning various bands of the prisoners played, there were dancers, drama acts... It really was a good day. There was also a big Braai as well so families could go and buy some food for them and there son and eat together, spend time together. It was really special to sit with these different families and just feel the joy there, there's only 1 family day a year so people were really happy. Especially our boys from the Hope Academy, it was just great to see them sit and chat to their families, eat together, drink together (soft drinks), laugh together...

The bands which played and the choir were really good, even with the wind the music delivered a great day of entertainment. I particularly enjoyed the dancers, they were good fun, everyone was laughing and rallying them on.

One moment particularly caught my attention... It was between one of the prisoners and his mum (or grandmother, hard to tell), they shared the longest hug I've ever seen. They just grasped each other and took in the moment, that hug had to last all year so they made it count (sure they do have visitors throughout the year but only one family day so they don't get to spend time like that). It really was a special moment in the midst of the business, joy and laughter to witness.

After that I headed into Stellenbosch to watch the Red Men take on the Blue Noses in the Merseyside derby. Found myself in a South Africa pub sitting next to a fellow liverpool fan. He was South african but his Granddad was originally from Liverpool so it was cool to chat with him and tell all about my travels and projects so far.

That night I drove into Somerset West for a Games Night with some of the people from the church, really was a fun evening!!

Sunday

I headed back to Somerset West and joined the church Urban Voice for their sunday service. Really do love this church, the worship is fantastic, the message clear and the people of really welcoming and friendly. Treat me like family, like i've been there for years.

After the service it was the meeting for next weekends camp which was good. I'm part of a great team so I'm really excited for the summer camp and the activities we've sorted out for the saturday!

After the meeting I was kindly invited to head round for a Braai at a family's house who go to the lifegroup I've been going to during my time here. It was cool to just chill and chat with my new South African lifegroup (Small Group). Enjoyed some good food and had some really good talks about God's calling in our lives which is really big on my mind at the moment especially being out here and also about whats going to happen at the end of the time which I found amazing as it made me realise how little I knew about it (the whole idea about just before christ returns).

Sunday evening I tagged along with Rahel and Beth to a Discipleship conference. The event was very busy and really challenging, I enjoyed to message and looking deeper into the idea of Discipleship which is such an important area for the church and christians.

God Bless.

Locked up

Days #63-64

Prison Time. 

Monday morning I was up early and left for Stellenbosch, 30 minute drive away from the farm. Stellenbosch is where I will be staying for the next 2 weeks. It's famous for is incredible surrounding vineyards and it's university. There's a good 30,000 students here so it's know for it's student life. It's really a beautiful place. Will definitely take lots of photos to show you guys. 

After a quick breakfast and meeting with Rahel, the German assistant for Ambassadors in a sport, we headed for the prison.

The drive to the prion is again 30 minutes over the mountain into this beautiful valley. Everywhere you go are these green vineyards stretching up the slopes of the valley. 

We arrived. 

After passing the first security checkpoint we parked up and prepared to enter the main building. 

During my time in the prison I'll be going in with a South African man called Ju Ju. He's a funny guy who's in his forties. When he was younger he was just like some of the guys we are working with but didn't go to prison then he came to know Jesus and now is heavily involved with sports ministry. Seeing how he interacts with the prisoners is amazing, he's like an older brother and treats them all like family. Lots of jokes and laughing. 

So we headed in. You have to pass a few checkpoints to get in where we have to sign in, body check ect... Then we got into to wing of the prison we're involved in. 

It's like a square courtyard with grass in the middle and four dorm cells around it. The cells sleep 19 people in each one and that's where they are kept. Mine surprising thing about the prison is how there are prisoners in the smart blue uniform (our guys in this section where navy blue uniform, the older tough guys who you just wouldn't mess with where orange) walking around everywhere you go. It's actually quite a nice atmosphere he. 

So back to our wing. There are four rooms, one room for rugby guys, one for basketball, one for choir and one for the Hope Academy, football, our guys. So we head into the dorm. 

 

All the beds are sharply made and everything is in it's place. Half the room is bunk beds the other side is single beds. I really want to take photos and show you all what it's like but you can't simply walk in with a camera. 

I got to meet the guys. They are all really warm, friendly and welcoming. Each of them comes over with a strong handshake/ hug and introduces themselves. You wouldn't think these guys have done some of the things they have. 

What have they done Cal? Murder, Rape, attempted murder, armed robbery... But when you sit down and chat to these guys there just like you and me. 

The best thing about this dorm is the brotherly feel to it, these guys love each other and look out for each other. There's no anger or fighting or anything like that, they're in this together. Whereas with the older orange guys they will stab each other! Yeah I'm keeping away from them!

The guys I'm with are between 20 and 26. They are serving sentences between 8 and 20 years. One guy I was talking to came in when he was seventeen in 2005 and has served 8 out of his 20 year sentence. It's crazy to talk to them and think that they'll be in here or another 10 years or so, 10 years is a long time!!!

Anyway, we all sat and huddled round and each of them introduced themselves; their name, where they are from; length of sentence and position in football. 

Then we just got to chat for an hour, we talked about football and what team everyone supports. 

At 12 we began to make our way to the prison field. It took us 30 minutes to get through the checkpoints but we eventually made it. Ju Ju took today's session then we went into a big 11-a-side match. 

And I played. When your playing with these lads you forget who you playing with, you don't see them as what they've done but who they are and each of them is really respectful and friendly. 

Let the game begin. I didn't hold back, in my competitive nature I wasn't scared to put some big tackles into these guys. From a corner I accidentally elbowed one of the guys in the head, not the best idea to elbow this murderer/rapist but he was chilled about it and played on without a complaint. Had a great game with them. They all commented on my game at the end. 

We then left the prison at 2. I'm in the prison 3 days a week. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. 

Later that afternoon I was with Rahel taking a girls soccer practise which was funny. You know it's girls football when they start doing handstands in the middle of the game. 

In the evening Ully (that's the man I'm staying with and his wife heider) was running a table tennis evening at the church. Ully and Heider are heavily involved with the international students in Stellenbosch and run a lot of events. Boy these students could play! I thought I was alright at table tennis but was put in my place by Ully, he's such a good player, I had no chance. Did get in the zone at the end and won a few games :)

Tuesday

Let me talk more about who I'm staying with. 

Ully and Heider. They're an elderly couple originally from Germany and have lived in South Africa now for 38 years. They originally came over as missionaries and have worked all over South Africa but have been in Stellenbosch now for the last 12 years working with the students. 

They remind me very much on Nan and Graddad with lots of coffee and teas and cakes and bringing our meals out on a little tray with small plates. I had my first cup of tea ever with them so I'm starting to really like it :) They are such a nice couple who are really friendly helpful and kind. Feel right at home. 

Tuesday we were back in the prison but because of an early lockdown we couldn't take the boys to the field so we still went to say hello. Few of them all gathered round me and asked me questions while Ju Ju got one of the lads to shave his hair (he's funny Ju Ju making the most of his time there getting a free haircut). 

It's a real privelege to sit down and talk to these prisoners individually. They're are really smart and good guys when you talk with them it's crazy to think what they have done.

One thing one of then said really got to me. He said  "If I had the mind I have now before, I would never be in prison." He said that prison has given him the chance to think and see the opportunities he had before. 

Speaking to Ju Ju he has a big heart for these boys. He was saying that even after prison they are Imprisoned with a criminal record which ruins there future making it hard for them to get a job and change their ways. 

What Hope Academy is doing here is incredible work. It's opening these boys eyes to a new way of thinking and giving them hope outside of prison also a hope in Jesus. I have a lot of time for Prison work. 

In the afternoon I took a coaching session with a group of boys in Bellville. Session was good. It was a mix of white, black and coloured kids (I'm not being racist there, in South Africa it's racist to not call people coloured or black or white it's just how it works here) the white kids are from the school and pay for the coaching whereas as the black kids we let join in. 

On the way home in the heat of the traffic jam my car gave in as a pipe burst but Gods timing is perfect as it was just as I was by the entrance to a garage with a guy there who fixed it for me for R100 (£6.50)! 

Got home safely after that and enjoyed another evening with Ully and Heider. Ully spent the evening playing with the car and fixing it. I can tell he really enjoys it so I just left him to it. Then I got to Skype my beautiful family before going to bed. 

God Bless.  

All we need is a dove!

Day #62

Sun. 

Yes, sun. The sun was shining, the storm had passed. There was even a beautiful rainbow there to remind us of Gods promise never to flood the world again (on Friday night when I was in floods up to my nipples I was questioning that promise but God ALWAYS keeps his promises) so the rain had stopped and the floods went down :) all we needed was a dove and it would be pretty close to the bible story. Noah's Ark vs Bruce's Boat! 

It was my first Sunday in the Helderberg Church known as Urban Voice. I really love the church here, there is such a warm friendly family feel to the church with lots of friends and people to chat to. Again the worship was great and the message strong. 

In the afternoon, to celebrate the sunshine, we had a Braai. It was cool to gather round the Braai and chat to Bruce and two other friends staying here from Canada. 

One of them in particular was called Keith. He was an old man originally from South Africa. He is a very happy and cheerful chap who is a missionary also. His stories are powerful. Some of the things he has been through and then to see how he is soo passionate about loving Jesus and other people is challenging. 

One story really got me. When he was younger he was out fishing with his son when the boat capsized. The two of them swam to opposite sides of the river. Kieth said to his son not to try and get across but to wait there and he'll figure something out. Anyway the son decided to try and make his was across then Keith watched his son get eaten by a Crocodile. So now when he talks about his children he says I have a son here, a daughter there and a son in heaven. It was powerful. 

He's really into squash and uses it as a way of ministering to some of the young men. He has so far played with 111 different young men as a part of his project. So I had him a game. He obviously had played a lot as ha great technique and power but I showed no mercy and won 3-0 in games. 

I have really enjoyed squash here. The boys are incredible players as they play most evening and they're technique is outstanding so I have learnt a lot during my time here and feel pretty good. By the end of my two weeks I was even beating them. They have me hands down with technique but I know I can run more and I am stronger so used that to my advantage. 

In the afternoon myself and Simon headed in to a friends house to watch the Springbok vs Scotland rugby match. 28-0 to South Africa, boring game. 

Then later that evening I just enjoyed my last night with this special family. 

I have met soooooo many amazing people during my time here. People who I hope to be friends with and see in the future. 

God Bless. 

Noah's Ark- quite literally!

Days #60-61

Friday morning was just another friday morning. I headed in at 8.30 for the morning devotions then it was back to work. As it was my last day today was making sure camp activities were sorted and then some other jobs to help around the office.

I have really enjoyed working at the church and being apart of the Helderberg Academy. The work atmosphere is good and the work we do is making a difference so it's always going to be enjoyable. I have really enjoyed working there as it has given me a great insight to what church ministry work looks like behind the scenes.

Friday afternoon before heading home I went to check out the bug mall they have there. Had a good look around and even had a go in the arcade.

NOTE: At this point it had been raining for an hour or so (hint).

Back home I chilled for a bit, played some squash, watched some TV series and enjoyed some good dinner. At 7 I was planning to head into the town to meet up with Beth and some of the other guys from church and have a chilled movie night.

It was still raining at this point but being from the North-West of England I thought nothing of it. I got to the first set of Robots (the term here for Traffic Lights) and took a right up a big hill. I was cruising along quite happily then all of a sudden THUD! The road was covered with bricks from a collapsed wall due to the rain. The journey then turned into a game, dodge the bricks as the road was covered with them.

After getting past the brick mine field I headed down a steep hill towards Beths. At this point the water had collected at the bottom and there was no way i was getting through, the water was too deep! I turned round and tried an alternative route but driving past I saw a car stranded in the middle of the street sunken in the deep waters.

I took the decision I wasn't going to make it. So I turned round but i was quite concerned because at this point the floods were getting even higher. The traffic was packed. It was dark. The rain was coming down hard! So I sent up some prayers to the bug guy upstairs and trusted him to help me and the little unreliable blue golf to get through the floods. We made it. After passing once again through the brick mine field I eventually made it back to the safety of home.

Headed back into my room, climbed into bed and began to watch more of my new favourite TV series; Suits! (I definitely recommend it).

It was around 10 O'clock when things started to change. My attention was distracted from my laptop screen as suddenly a lot of noise came from outside my room and a lot of knocking on my window. Luke was at the door and he seemed to be in an urgent hurry.

Bruce, knowing the floods were getting worse, had called an elderly couple (George and Avrill) who he knows lives in the deepest area to check if everything was ok. It wasn't good news. George had been coughing up blood and needed to get to Hospital ASAP. However there was two main problems; one, the hospital had started an full evacuation due to the floods as the Hospital began to fill up so they were busy and couldn't respond immediately to an ambulance call. Second problem is that the floods at this point were too deep and strong currents for the couple to drive out and for Bruce to drive in and pick them up.

(Look up floods in Somerset West Cape Town on Google and you will find photos from the hospital, mad!)

Therefore we needed some sort of small boat or something to get past the deepest area of the flood and get George to a car to get him to Hospital. However, we didn't know anyone with a small boat or something so there was only one thing we could do, we had to take Bruce's big boats down into the town. This boat isn't small.

So going back to me in bed watching Suits...

I was quick to jump out of bed, throw on some clothes and head out to help. After moving my car out the way to get the boat out we headed in.

Crazy! I have never witnessed flooding before so this was crazy. The roads had been replaced my rivers and houses were suffering the results. Cars were floating and half sunken under the waters. We got in as deep as the car could go and took the boat of the trailer. The water was about up to my waist.

But because the boat had no petrol we couldn't power it up so instead we attached lots of ropes around it and pulled it through the waters. This is about 10.30 at night. We got to the crossroads where we had to go up a road to Georges house but by this point the current was too strong and deep for us to pull this boat up under control. So myself and one of Bruce's friends made our way up the river and found our way to Georges House.

When the couple opened the door the water was already up to their knees as they walked around there own house. We decided that the main road was to strong of a current to take george down so I went to try and find another solution. After knocking on one of the neighbours doors asking if she could open her garden gate so we could take George over one of the security walls avoiding the main currents she turned me down as she said by opening that gate would mean more water coming into her house. She was already walking in water up to her knees at this point so it would of made much difference. Anyway I respected her wish and asked if it would be okay for us to lift him over the gate then over the security wall.

We managed to walk George to the house. George reminded me a lot of Granddad Doug at this point, he had an attitude as if nothing was wrong with him and he was perfectly fine, love that about Granddad Doug. Then with aid of a step ladder we got him and his wife over the garden wall then over the security wall to where the boat was waiting.

Then we encountered another problem, once we got them in the boat we realised that the plugs for the bottom of the boat were missing with the rush so the boat was a lot heavier and we couldn't take it as far up the road as before. But instead we improvised and carried the couple to the car and then an ambulance with perfect timing picked them up.

It was just like Noahs Ark in the floods but with a modern twist.

It was a crazy, exciting, adrenaline pumping experience. This experience has now allowed me to relate with stories of flooding in the UK and across the world; it's tough!

But its good how you see canoes paddling down the street, people out helping each other and 6 people pulling a large boat with an elderly couple in it down an ordinary road.

After they had left the boat myself and Luke helped some guy we found stuck in his car out of the car then we loaded up the boat and headed home. It was around midnight at this point.

It was a crazy experience. Wish I had photos to show you guys but thought best not to bring it as I was swimming at one point.

Came home had a shower, had some Ice Cream (Don't really know why was just in the mood for some Ice Cream) .

Saturday morning; it was still raining. Me and Luke headed in to take some photos but the flood had died down a lot in the morning so we were quite disappointed.

Later that afternoon I headed in to go to a games afternoon with some of my friends from the church then we headed to the mall to see Thor 2.

Driving back was a worry again as it was still raining and I didn't want a repeat of last night. So I took an extended route which was a bit of a risk as it involved driving through a township area which is not recommended to drive through at night but I took the risk as i thought who will be out to mug me when its raining? Anyway, I made it home safely. Praise the Lord!

Later that night we headed into to the local village/township just down the road. They had all been evacuated from their shacks as there was a fear the Dam was going to burst which would wash away the whole village. All the people were gathered in a community centre and people from everywhere were bringing old clothes, food, blankets... so we dropped of some old clothes and food then headed to check out the overflowing river before heading home.

It has been a crazy two days. The rain hasn't stopped and it has really given me a sense of natures power and destruction. The Lord has blessed me and this family to keep us out of danger and give us the tools to help people. I am really thankful for that.

God Bless.

Rugby Superstar & Samaritans Feet

Days #56-59

So my second and final week with The Helderberg Academy, after a great first week this week promised to be a good one.

Monday

Mike and Cle don't come into the office on Mondays, they work Tuesday-Thursday and help out with the coaching and admin. So Monday it was just myself and Beth in the office.

The morning duties mainly involved preparation for the youth Camp so I was busy working hard on that. I'm organising the Saturday activities on the camp so its quite exciting, I'm looking forward to it!
In the afternoon we headed to Macassar (one of the communities we work in) and it was the first week we were starting Netball coaching for the girls there. They all found it funny that I was helping out in coaching a netball session but after the laughs it was a great session. For the game I followed in my little sister's footstep and took on the role of WD (hope that's her position anyway, sorry Kez), it's a good job it wasn't a proper game as i have no idea what that means or any of the rules of netball. We had great fun and our team won!

Monday evening i met Moritz in Somerset West. He's about to go on a 5 week tour and was spending the first night of the tour in Somerset so i drove down to pay a visit and say goodbye. We had a good evening with some games of pool and table football in the posh Hotel he was staying in. Good night.

Tuesday

Today was a busy day. We were all back in the office today and before we could start any of our jobs we headed to Gordans bay for a training session with Samaritans Feet. Will explain more about that later. Before we headed back we drove up to the reservoir in Gordans Bay to take in the view.

When we got back to the office we were back to work with planning caching sessions, preparing for camp and planning some events for the rest of the week.

The afternoon promised a special treat. On tuesday afternoon we head into Macassar to deliver a Rugby session for the local lads there. But today was no ordinary sessionas Western Province Scrum Half Nic Groom joined us for the session. Nic is a christian who goes to Mike's church, there's the link.

One of the boys pulled it out the bag and challenged Nic to 50 Push ups, in his humility he agreed to the challenge and blew us all away with his quick performance. Mike tried to keep up but he had no chance!

Wednesday

Wednesday afternoon i was taking the football session at Eerste Revier. Todays football skill was Goalkeeping; life skill, focus and Bible Story Peter walks on water.

Warm Up

Demonstrating a keeper jumping to collect the ball, not a ballerina. Jump off one leg, knee up for protection, arms fully extended to make yourself as tall as possible.

The bible story; Peter walks on water.

Me and Jesus.

Thursday

Thursday afternoon I was taking another session. This session is a bit different as it's a PE lesson for one of the local township schools so therefore there is no bible story but we still look to do a life skill alongside our football skill which was dribbling.

After my session it was time for our first partnership with Samaritans Feet. What is Samaritans Feet all about? Well do you remember in DuNoon how i said most of the kids didn't have any shoes, well Samaritans Feet is all about providing these kids with a pair of shoes. How it works? We take in show sizes of Kids, then we wash there feet (just like Jesus did) and talk to them and pray for them before they move on to collect there new pair of shoes. It's a great system and idea which is really powerful.

Just another exciting week! But wait it gets even more exciting!

God Bless

Sweet Ride

Days #55 (Sun)

Well after not the best of night sleeps. Mainly because of the grand big ben clock gonging every 30 minutes sleep was slim. We woke up before 7.30 to our disappointment due to the great South African sun not helping us out. It was great fun to explore round the houses to find people sleeping in the funniest places.

Later that morning it was sad to say goodbye as they had to leave. Now is the final farewell and it was sad to see them leave but I'm sure I'll keep in contact with a few of them!

After they left it was just me, tom and Susie (his God mum). After a quick tidy up we chilled on the sofas catching up with some of the weekends football before Susie took us out for lunch in her soft top Mercedes. We travelled in style as we drove round the Constantia hills area (known for it's grand vineyards) in the stylish Mercedes Convertible. She took us out for an amazing italian lunch in this top of the range pizzeria.

I gave in. I had been over 8 weeks without having a Pizza, i was feeling it. My initial plan was to wait for my coming home meal to have a Pizza but it was too much so Susie treated me to a dream pizza, it was called the 'Nacho Libre' which was covered in chicken guacamole salsa... a fajita and a pizza comnined... MY TWO FAVOURITE FOODS!!!!!

After that she took us for a drive up one of the local hills to take in the view. I was in luxury and it was great fun.

Later that afternoon I drove back to meet Beth, Katie and a few guys from the church to watch the Man United vs Arsenal match. It was cool to just chill and spend some time with my new temporary adopted church family. I really enjoyed it!

A great weekend!

God Bless.

English Empire

Day #54

A perfect day. Blue skies. Plenty of sun. And only a gentle cool breeze to disturb the paradise. 

This morning I headed out to the a Helderberg National Park to take in more of the surroundings I'm living in. 

By 9 o'clock I had already started my walk through the park. Saw a sign which made me think of mum straight away...

Walking. And boy was it beautiful!

I did the leopard loop which took just under two hours. Takes you a good way up the Helderberg Mountain where you then contour around the mountain then complete the circular route by walking back. The views from higher up where even better!

As this year I'm going to miss our trip to the lakes youth hosteling which always involves a good walk followers by an even better cake I kept to the tradition and got myself an amazing Scone Jam and Cream from the cafe. Beautiful. 

Next; I drove to the strand, the main beach for the Somerset West area and today there was a big market which was cool to look around. Got myself a bracelet and some presents :) 

In the afternoon I head back Into Cape Town as Tom, the English lad from SAVE, was having a Braai/Pool party at his God Mums house. I was excited to see the house and all my well missed friends. 

Wow. Didn't expect this. Toms God mum is a millionaire and she built the house 12 years ago! It's very English and just very amazing!! There was the main house, which was huge. A cottage and a pool house! Insane! 

 

The house is in Constantia and had awesome views of surrounding hills, trees and fields. 

Again I was on Braai duty and I loved it. We had some incredible chunks of some tasty steak which was gooooooooood! And some ribs, chicken and sausage. 

Now I am a professional steak master cooking to order with Rare, Medium and Well Done cuts of juicy steak!

There was also lots of homemade brownies which honestly were sensational and homemade mince pies. My first mince pie of the year- and boy was it gooooooood!!!! 

I was in paradise. Even had the Liverpool game on in the pool house as we cooked away! 

And to make things more English... There was a croquet set on the lawn. 

The Braai was good then we watched South Africa vs Wales rugby match which SA won! Later in the night we had a big fire pit to chill around and just had a great night. Even included a midnight dip in the pool (not skinny dip don't worry)! Had a great night then it came to play a game... Find somewhere to sleep... Then go to sleep. There was a lot of us staying over and even with a lot of coaches and some beds sleeping space was limited. But got a great space on a big sofa in one of the living rooms but ended up having to share it. It was a great day!! Good to be back with my friends in this amazing place :)

God Bless.