After chapel the boys got changed for our morning session. It was a raining so we made sure the boys were nice and warm. The session went very well and we could see that they had put into practice what they learned yesterday. Andy Berry was pleased that the boys were communicating more readily and playing more as a team. At one point Andy’s voice was drowned out by the Addax boys, which is no mean feat. The Papplewick boys provided some competition again and the Addax boys shone today. Our little winger Yemi put in a great tackle today on his opposite number, he hit him low and hard, perfect! We also noticed that the team held a much better defensive and attacking shape. Unfortunately we do not have any more sessions with the team, it is scary to think how good this team could become with more coaching.

After the session the boys had to rush off to the minibus to be on time to see the changing of the guard at Windsor Castle. You should have seen the boys’ faces when I told them there was no time for another hot shower!! Steve Elkington, Papplewick’s Science teacher and rugby coach drove us to Windsor up to the castle. On the bus we asked the boys to sing us some songs, apparently the bigger boys back in Lagos have come up with a Nigerian Hakka. They were able to shout it to us and it sounded great. We plan to use this to psych up the team at the tournament. The boys loved the Castle but Victor seemed disappointed when they found out they were not actually going to meet the Queen whilst Prince commented that the statue of Queen Victoria made her look fat!! Off with his head!! We saw the band march past and followed the marching soldiers down the hill. Then Steve took us down to the river Thames to feed the swans. It was great fun, soon the boys were surrounded by loads of pigeons, swans and ducks. I noticed that a few mothers with prams came and watched not the birds but the Addax boys feeding the swans without fear. Many of the boys let the swans peck food from their hands. After this we went on a boat trip towards the lock. Whilst on the river the boys seemed fascinated by the number of aeroplanes in the sky coming into and leaving Heathrow.

When we arrived back at the school the host parents were waiting to collect the boys and take them home for the weekend. I know the boys will have a great time and I’m sure the families too will fall in love with them. I heard that some of them will be going to the London Eye and Lawal may get a chance to play some polo. Dad told me that he rides horses in Nigeria, he will have a fantastic time. We won’t see the boys until Sunday when we go to the Wasps vs Harlequins game. I will miss spending time with them tomorrow but I know they will have a great weekend.