I’ve finally found myself an internet connection that’s quicker than snail-mail through which I can post a little video blog. It seems to be a funny habit I’ve picked up that when I go away on an adventure I grab my camera and start talking to it…maybe I’m going mad, or maybe I just think that out there in cyberspace somewhere, someone is watching my movements around the planet – and if you’re reading this you must be one of them. Welcome to my world

Well I’ve made it to South Africa and took the drive from the airport in Joburg down the N2 to Durban and then turned right and down the south coast, along the N3 to the little town of Port Edward. It took me 8hours to get there but there’s something I love about the drive. After spending all of 2008 on the road in Africa (www.afritrex.com) covering 65,000kms it was good to get back in the saddle again and hit the long roads of the dark continent.

The country is going football crazy, and understandably so. With the FIFA World Cup starting in under a month there are signs, adverts and promotions everywhere.

It’s just what Africa needs – the entire continent is football crazy! I watched the African Cup of Nations final between Egypt and Cameroon which ended    1 -0 and the city went berserk with cars and people filling the streets for hours after the game. Luke and I sat and watched as police cars raced around with their lights and horns blazing all in support of Arab Africa beating Black Africa.

For the 2008 Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea I was in Matadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo sitting in a tiny little shack of a bar with a rowdy group of french-speaking football lovers, 50% supported each side and I was stuck in the middle cheering for Man U. The atmosphere was incredible with shouting, jeering and barracking amongst all of us and I will never forget it. Football was the winner!

I’ll be here for the start of the tournament and can’t wait for South Africa (or Bafana Bafana as they’re known here) to hit the turf in Joburg on June 11th closely followed by England (my team) and then Australia (my adopted team) on the 14th June which I’m desperately trying to get tickets for now…if you know of anyone with a ticket then shout!

Off shark diving in a couple of days time so will be back with another exciting movie very soon…

Over and out for now

Ben