For bookings and further information call

It all started off when I decided that it is never to late to start preparing for the Lions Tours to South Africa in 2009. The tour itinerary had been leaked and although there are lots of denials that this is the actual schedule it is a mighty large coincidence that the hotels are getting booked up around the dates suggested.

So my advance mission to South Africa was booked and I arrived at Heathrow on Sunday – but there was a problem and it had nothing to do with queues for security, I did not even get that far. When I went to the South African Airways check-in desk they took one look at my passport and said I would not be flying. The problem was that there was not a clear page in my passport for a stamp when I landed. South African Airways faced a fine if they let me on the plane, and I would be on the next one home again anyway.

What a rule. There was room for South African officials to get their stamp in, but they insist on a clear page. I suppose looking on the bright side it could have been worse. This might have happened as I flew out for the tournament itself! Also I will be telling all VU clients heading off for the Lions Tour 2009 to make sure they have a clear page in their passport, or they won't be going out.

So after a wasted trip to Heathrow I had to spend £160 changing the flight and also make an emergency appointment at the passport office to get myself a new one. Now it is Wednesday and I have just arrived at Heathrow again – but to more grief. I booked economy, even though I never go cattle class, because a contact at South African Airways had assured me of an upgrade. I arrived at check-in and they had absolutely no note of this. So I face the prospect of around 10 hours with my legs around my ears and my belly resting on the fold-out table.

I am sure it will be worth it to give me a head start with the Lions planning. I am back in under a week and in that time I will be checking out hotels, restaurants and the odd bar in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town and holding a series of now rearranged meetings. As an old pal who was once in the Army told me once 'time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted'.

I love South Africa and really can't wait for the 2009 tour. It is important to do it in style so there was no way that I was going to let a full-up passport and the prospect of going cattle class get in the way of me going out there.

When I get back from South Africa I will have just enough time to wash my pants and vest and then get back on a flight – this time to the Dubai 7s. We have got a great VU trip going out there, and having been at the tournament last year I know it will be a cracker. Then it is back from Dubai and out to Las Vegas for the Hatton/Mayweather fight. Honestly this job is harder than it looks.

Everything has calmed down post World Cup. I have been impressed with the performance of Wasps in Europe and it was a cracking win for Bristol last weekend. It shows that the game is really strong in England.

Anyway time to get on the plane, can anything else go wrong with this trip – I hope not.