I'M FINDING it very difficult to keep track of things at the moment. I don't even know what day of the week it is half the time – you find yourself asking people whether it's Sunday or not and they tell you it's Wednesday, which is a funny sensation.

But that's the joy of touring. You come away for six weeks and just ride the wave of the tour, keep reading the itinerary so you can be in the right place and wearing the right gear so as to avoid a fine.

It's not helped that we are all in different groups training. While one lot is on recovery, another is stepping up preparation for the next game and a third is doing some weights.

I'm just trying to make sure I know which group I'm meant to be in and when.

I've really enjoyed it so far because, while the rugby is very serious (and we all know why we're here in that respect), we have also had a good time.

The coaches have had no problem with us having a laugh along the way. We are working hard but doing it with a smile on our faces.

It was great to be out on the field when things clicked against the Golden Lions.

We are well aware the opposition wasn't that strong, but they are still a Super 14 team, so to score so many points was fantastic.

But what was most important was that it was built on a foundation of solid basics and we kept going until the end.

There's no doubt that if we want to win Test matches we will have to play for 80 minutes.

Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts did seem to gel quickly and excellently in that game.

I've said before that a tour like this is all about taking opportunities if you want that Test jersey, and they certainly did that last Wednesday.

Saturday (against the Free State Cheetahs) was the first game I haven't been involved in, but I was 23rd man, so I had to do everything but go out there and play, which I found more difficult.

And watching the boys go out there wasn't easy, especially with the performance that went in.

If we play like that against South Africa we're in trouble, but the boys know that. And they also know it's about building up to the Tests, peaking at the right time.

But you still don't want to be in the first team that loses. No one wants to lose a game out here and if it does happen it will be a difficult one to get over.

I think on Saturday we scored two early tries and went off the boil. But that lesson will be learned.

As far as the altitude is concerned, it definitely does affect you. I noticed it most in training during last week, but not during the game funnily enough.

The way the tour is structured, we are up and down, down and then up as far as the altitude is concerned, so it doesn't give you time to get used to it.

We are at Durban next, which is not at altitude, so hopefully when we come back up afterwards I will be a bit more used to it and it shouldn't take as long to adapt.

I've enjoyed having room-mates so far on this tour. I've had Donncha O'Callaghan, Tommy Bowe, Jamie Heaslip and currently Stephen Jones – so we are the old man room at the moment.

It's getting pulled out of a hat everywhere we go, so there's no choice in the matter!

The seriousness is gradually building with each game. Players are stepping up and eyeing those Test spots. The next few weeks should be interesting.