Lee Dixon's Blog by Lee_Dixon

We'd like to let you know that due to Lee's busy schedule he won't be able to continue writing his blog for realbuzz.com. However, if he finds time to drop in a post in the future you'll see this blog updated again. Thanks Lee for your posts, good luck with the cycling - keep it up, and we look to any future updates if you find time to do any.

Hey greetings from South Africa! Sorry it's been a little while, but it's been a bit manic here getting ready for the big kick-off. I’ve been in Cape Town for a week or so now and what an amazing city. With the added colour of the World Cup in town, it is certainly a place to visit if you ever get the chance. In terms of the footie, well, it all started with the hosts taking on Mexico.

Surely the weight of a nation’s expectations would be too much for Bafana Bafana (the South African team’s nickname, which actually means The Boys The Boys). Armed with around 40.000 vuvuzelas (that’s noisy trumpets to you and me), the supporters put on a real show and a half. They could have been 3 nil down at half-time as Mexico tried to spoil the party. But a Tshababala thunderbolt kept the dream alive. Defensive issues could be a problem for them later on though.

And so to England and their first game against the Yanks. No worries, they don't do footie do they? 3-0 game done – surely, then who's next? What really happened? Well we started well enough. A dream start in fact with a captain's goal from Steven Gerrard. Have that Mr Obama. We were cruising. Hah hah. But then that Dempsey shot. Feeble. Robert, throw it out to Johnson....... Whoops! The soccer ball has by-passed the goal stopper’s hand warmers and settled in the goalpost drapes!!!!!!! No!!!!!!! How does Robert Green feel about all of that? Well probably like all of us! Still it is only a game. We'll still beat Slovenia and Algeria and then win the group. I really don't know what all the fuss is about!

Now a word on vuvuzelas, which are attracting so much attention right now. You wouldn't think that a small piece of plastic costing a few Rand could cause so much fuss! To say they have caused a stir is like saying Robert Green is a bit down just now! They definitely bring a true African feel to the tournament. They also annoy the heck out of some people. I'm split on the subject. When you’re watching matches at the stadiums, they add to a special South African experience. Unless of course you are sitting In front of someone who is a good blower?

As a broadcaster they annoy a little too. But I have to say you do get used to them. I think as a player you would be aware of them, but concentrating on picking up Messi's runs would certainly focus my mind. But the time when the vuvuzela's really take centre stage is when people are blowing them on the way to work at 6-7 o'clock in the morning. I'm definitely not so keen then! Have a great week. Come on England!

So two weeks-ish before I head to SA (South Africa, see what I did there SA, clever eh?!) Anyway I thought I would catch some sun in LA before I go. Little did I know that the sun would be well and truly beaming down on little ol' London town at the same time. That kind of glorious weather is what it feels like when I'm in LA all the time. It's so spread out here. Cycling is an absolute dream. The cars seem like they are 50 yards away when they pass you. And while I am here, it just so happens, pure luck of course, that my trip coincided with the end of the Tour of California Cycle Race.

I might have mentioned it before (as I've told everyone in the world - twice!) that I got an invite to ride the last stage course, two hours before the pros raced it. Wow what a day! The owner of my agency, who are Wasserman group, is Casey Wasserman and he rode as well. However due to logistics and sheer and utter over-excitement on both our parts, we missed each other. We both joked that the other was up ahead and we couldn't catch up. But both of us were also thinking to themselves, I hope I beat him! It was an awesome day though, so thanks Casey. Certainly another cycling memory to treasure.

Closed roads, glorious weather, team colours. I was a pro for a morning. That is until I compared my lap time to theirs! One lap in 1 hour 10 mins. Pros? They raced around in 47 minutes!! Four times too. Next year...... And as for soccer (LA speak), well that Capello got himself another win. He got it using a shake-up of a team, because he was resting key players, but nevertheless a win is a win. We will need to be better all round, but I’m certain we will be. Friendly warm-up games are that and nothing more, so let's just wait and see. Tournaments have a way of focusing the mind! Plus there are win bonuses to play for! Dixon the cynic! Have a great week.

Right then, golf. I have been playing since I was 5 years old. Same as football actually. I got quite good at football at one point. But as for golf, well I suppose in the great scheme of things I'm not bad. Poeple who don't play would say he must be ok, his handicap is 4! Well they don't live in my head do they? I find it the most frustrating, hardest, loveliest, greatest game ever! What other game tests a player's patience like golf?

How can I play and practice for 41 years and then play on Wednesday as if, literally, I'd never picked up a golf club before? How does that happen? I'll tell you how it happens. It's an evil game and people should be banned from playing it. Golf courses should be converted into affordable housing estates. All golf pros should be sectioned! I'd go and visit.

Lee Scarbrow my golf coach would love it in there. They could all talk to each other about swing planes and putting aids. It's all rubbish. The game is played between the ears. When that's the case in sport, forget it. Pick another sport. That's because we are weak. Human beings. Mentally weak. Yeah I hear you cry, but what about Tiger, Mickleson, Poulter? Well that's simple. They are all mad. Either that or aliens......