As i gaze through the foggy windows of my new home... the trees become visible in a silhouette against the early morning winter sky of my new city Leverkusen, Germany.

I have now been here for a total of 24 hours. For its entirety i have been sleeping off my sore throat which developed in to tonsillitis on the plane ride over. I have never been so uncomfortable on a flight. Usually i am the first to relax and take great comfort in knowing i can do whatever i want up there. No distractions (mobile phone, Facebook or twitter). You instantly lose that constant yearning of wanting to know, well you don't exactly lose it, it is taken away from you. Either way it is a beautiful time for...you.

On the first leg between Sydney & Singapore the entertainment didn't work. Firstly we had an apology from the inflight service manager. I was in and out of consciousness so the fact it wasn't working didn't really affect me. What did have my undivided attention was my sore throat, stiff neck, throbbing headache & hot and cold shivers. I was trying to covince myself the pain was only in my mind (Stolen idea from KungFu Panda or something of the like). But low and behold. It was worsening each time i woke.

I did giggle a little, well upon reflection i will soon giggle. I made the conscious decision to avoid swallowing as much as possible. The amount of times i woke up to have dribble trickling down the sides of my mouth was astounding. I'd quickly wipe my face and double check no passengers were entertaining themselves at my expense, as i mentioned it was quite a lot and as a bystander i would find it quite admirable.

After a re-fuel in Singapore, it was another 10-11 hours till Germany. Thank goodness i was able to 're-fuel' my stocks in Singapore, a different flavour even, thought i'd treat myself. I would rise every now and again to visit the ladies, fetch some water and a few calf raises & return to my seat to begin my anti-swallow sleep cycle. At the designated meal times, if i wasnt sound asleep dribbling away, i'd eat what i could, allowing myself to swallow my nurofen...regretting not having asked for some antibiotics off the Doc before departing the great aussie shores.

WOW, so much throat talk- All that aside...I'd like to make mention of my arrival in to Frankfurt and making my train, just. My club Bayer 04 Leverkusen had booked my flight from Canberra to Frankfurt on Qantas (Thank you frequent flyers). They then asked if i felt comfortable in catching a train from Frankfurt to Koln. Hellllo Nomadic soul was my first reaction, catching a train would be fine. I first began second guessing this decision when i was waiting for my bag at the luggage belt in Frankfurt. It was 6:15am and my train for Koln left at 6:38am. I knew i was being met by Linda (Sporting Director of Bayer) and Katie (My US team-mate) in Koln, upon arrival, there was no real other option than making that train.

The fact i was feeling tremendously ill and insanely cold had to be disregarded. I ended up staying calm enough to ask the right people and go with the old gut as to what direction to take, of course the signage always helps too. I was met by Katie and Linda, hugs were given and bam, it then occurred to me how sick i felt, how i couldn't speak because my throat was so sore (for the last 24 hours i hadn't really conversed with anyone)... I couldn't stop shivering.

Linda drove us back to Leverkusen and it was straight to the stadium to collect a thick jacket to protect me from the freezing COLD weather i HAVE NEVER EVER been subjected to, it was MINUS FRIGEN 14!!!! I am short of breath just thinking about it. What an experience this was. I was very apologetic to Linda and Katie about my lack of personality, there was literally nothing to me. I was trying to take as much in as possible, it was exciting to finally arrive.

All i wanted and i believe all my body wanted was bed. So in answering the prayers of my body i slept for the next 20 hours. Katie and Linda were adorably kind, they fetched lemon and honey as a warm drink. I had some very unusual dreams and woke up several times soaked in my own Pj's. I must get the temperature right in my room. I guess time will tell.

Having woken up bright and early on this fine freezing cold Saturday morning. My body is on the mend. Come Monday, i shall have my first kick with the new team. That i look forward to. In the mean-time i guess i better scrub up on my German and figure out just how many layers i will need to don in order to cope with the outdoors. At the moment I'm thinking 7. By the time i adjust 5 might do the trick ;)

Whilst now residing in an unfamiliar place, i have found comfort in writing this.

Chasing Leather in Leverkusen.