The first of two mornings when we have to rise at the ungodly hour of 5.30am. Ian and Annie both rose to see us off, although they normally get up early, so our struggle to attempt consciousness probably amused them. We'd forgotten how far it was to the new King Shaka International airport built in time for this tournament, but had allowed ourselves plenty of time. It's certainly a hell of a long way out of Durban.

Adam - as an englandfans member, had bought a ticket for England's last 16 game in the event they made it through the group stage, and picked it up at the FIFA ticketing booth at the airport. Later in the day he would sell it to another England fan in search of a ticket, as we have tickets for the game in Bloemfontein already. Our flight to Port Elizabeth was delayed for an hour, but we were in no rush, so the delay did not create any real problems for us. I think it was a 52 seater plane - certainly quite small, but definitely full, with most people travelling being involved with the World Cup either as spectators or working for the media. There were a good number of laminate passes of the style sported by the managers on the touchline.

At PE (as everyone here calls it), we collected our next hire car - another Honda Jazz. Our host for one night only here is Earl, a golfing mate of Martin's, who also works in the motor trade as does our host in Jo'burg. Martin had told me that Earl was quite a character and he did not disappoint. It was quite easy finding his place from the airport, and after a welcome drink, he took us on a drive round the city. A lot of it is on the beach and the sun was shining bright. Another beautiful day. Not for everyone though. At one point we passed some emergency vehicles and a mangled wreck of a car. Protruding from under some heavy duty large foil sheeting were a pair of feet wearing white socks. Obviously the victim of the accident - now deceased. Earl said that the vast majority of road deaths in the country are as a result of two things. Drunk driving and speeding, often combined. The road we are on did not look like a tricky one to drive, but I guess if you lose control, then the consequences can be as fatal as we witnessed.

A braai followed back at Earl's home - another stunning open plan affair with a fine outdoor space that overlooked a farm where the two family dogs were taken for their walk. We met wife Elaine, kids Lee and Candy, Candy's husband Brian and friend Tony. The latter settled here over thirty years ago and, hailing from Dartford, had been in the same class at school as Mick Jagger. it was ironic to spot the Stones' singer later on in the day on TV watching the USA v Ghana match in Rustenburg, chumming up to Bill Clinton.

We had a couple of spares for the Uruguay v South Korea match which I knew we would never sell in a month of Sundays, so Tony and Lee used them to come to the game with everyone else. Eight of us crammed into Earl's people mover and we headed to a park and ride and caught a taxi bus to the stadium. The tenth and final stadium on this trip, it was a fitting end on that score. It looks good from the outside and even better in. It holds around 45,000, and feels quite initimate in spite of the tall stands. The pitch is sunken, so from the outside, it is deceptive. Adam and I had decent seats in the uppermost tier, but the one below presented a sea of empty seats, so we moved down a level and sat near the halfway line. We had paid for category 1 seats anyway, so why not get the best view in the house.

The sun shone brightly and I was glad I remembered my brimmed hat as it was pointing right in our faces. The game was a decent enough one, especially in the second half. At least now we are no longer watching matches where one result could suit both sides. At halftime, the weather turned and it started absoulutely lashing down. It reminded me a bit of Uruguay's match with Argentina in the Mexico 1986 finals at this stage. It started in bright sunshine there before the heavens opened.

South Korea gave a decent account of themselves but Uruguay proved more clinical in front of goal. We were hoping for extra time to give the rain time to stop, but South Korea missed an excellent chance at 2-1 down and that was it. We met up with Earl and the others and got a bit wet waiting for the shuttle bus back to where we were parked. We then drove back to Earl's to watch the evening game between USA and Ghana. Earl enjoys a drop or two of alcohol and encourages guests to join him. This may have influenced my falling asleep during the second half of the match, not helped by the early start this morning. I awoke in time to see Ghana triumph, and was pleased that Africa will have a representative in the last eight.

It is a regret that we cannot stay longer at Earl's. The man is a genial host and a real character. However, tomorrow sees us head for Bloemfontein for the England game, and another early start...