Day 8 - Mon 20th Oct 08

Dear diary...

Having enjoyed an entertaining and relaxing day at Manly after training yesterday we checked out of Narrabeen and left the New South Wales Rugby League Training academy behind us at about 10am and made our way to our new base in Parramatta-the Crown Plaza hotel. We checked in, got our rooms etc sorted and quickly got ready for training that afternoon which was taking place on bondi beach.
We arrived at bondi (where the was a large media presence) and began with a tour of north bondi surf club. Following this we were then all put through our paces by various members of the live saving club and did a number of different drills, training exercises and life saving techniques all involving combinations of swimming and running. This was to take over from our regular physical conditioning for the day and it was certainly a welcome break from going about the everyday training drills on the field and the general consensus seemed to be that it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. After training we had a couple of hours to ourselves to do as we pleased (within reason obviously) and go about and explore bondi. Most of the lads decided to just relax on the beach or went for coffee´s etc. We then had dinner in north bondi RSL club organized by the Blarney Army, the RSL Club is quite different to restaurants etc at home. It is a members only club that takes in temporary members so we all had to sign in for the day. Inside it has a large open area for dining, a fair sized bar, a patio level on the first floor overlooking the beach and strangely a bookies inside the club. The meal was good though and we left bondi that evening full and returned to Parramatta where the remainder of the evening was spent relaxing in the hotel or casually strolling about the streets enjoying the atmosphere. Most people then retired to bed early to get ready for training the following morning...

regards,
Stevie

Ni Neart go cur le cheile