Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

ASH IN NORWAY DISRUPTS CHINA PLANS 23rd April 201

It has been an interesting few days. I was supposed to leave for the China camp and Friendly game on Sunday 18th April. Instead, I sat around waiting for the volcano in Iceland to peter out … and for the ash to stop falling on Norway. I am still waiting.

Even today, Scandinavian Airways System announced at 16.37 "We regret to announce that your flights have been canceled because of volcanic ash into the skies. This was after an announcement yesterday that everything looks good for Friday. This time it wasn't the ash, but not all aircraft are where they should be and this will take time to sort out.

Luckily for the Canadian team, I am one of only three people affected by the ash over northern Europe and the subsequent disruptions: Carolina and Carm Moscato were the other two, and they finally made it to China on 20th April.

It has been strange getting up every morning and wondering if I am going to fly to China that day. I have sat there waiting, bags packed and ready to go, and the feeling was at any moment was both stressful and upsetting.

However, my y biggest nightmare was that I might eventually be able to fly from Oslo, but only to become stuck in some other country with their airspace closed. St least being stuck at home was not that bad by comparison. Every day, like most people, I just read newspaper articles and saw pictures of people stranded all over the world. Volcanoes are not easily predicted. I say that just slightly tongue in cheek, and I am sure my Canadian teammates will understand why I am not there with them.

I have been in touch with a few of the players in the squad over there and they are all looking forward to the game tomorrow. China is always a good test and I know everyone in the Canadian team is looking forward to using them as a measuring stick for our recent development.

I saw a picture of them training on the CSA website, and was it only me or did someone else take a HUGE gulp of fresh air when they saw the dark smoggy skies in the background? My memories of China are not all good.

So, as I have been unable to reach China, I am instead heading to Trondheim tomorrow for a game with my club team LSK Kvinner. The irony of the situation is that at the moment they think that we will be able to fly up there. However, we are still on standby, and we may end up having to travel by bus - not a good prospect. The match against trondeims-Orn should eb a good one and I am looking forward to playing, even if I won't be wearing the red and white of Canada.

I shall be like the rest of the fans, searching the internet for news on the China game. Let me know if anyone finds out the results.