AND so Plymouth Argyle's Austrian tour comes to an end and finally, we had some nice weather.

They boys had a light breakfast and then headed straight out onto the training ground for some technical work. The team that was selected for the match in the afternoon were taken aside by Luggy and worked through different drills.

Meanwhile, the other lads took part in some set-piece practice.

But the most impressive thing seen all week by far was Maxi putting Ashley Barnes, Yala Bolasie, Dan Smith and Shane White through their paces.

Doctor Paul Giles had set out 10 cones, each at ten metres apart which the lads had to run to, run back and then run to the next one. What Maxi didn't tell them was that they had to do it FIVE times. You could see that strain on their faces as each time they pushed themselves to make that last shuttle run. It was tiring just watching them.

When the players returned from training they packed up their bags and went for a lunch of the usual high-carb dishes.

Then it was a fond farewell to Obertraun as the players departed for Laufen for the game against what we thought was going to be Petrolul Ploesti. We were wrong.

When we arrived, the players warming up on the pitch were wearing tracksuits with FC Unirea Alba Iocia on the back. When we asked why they weren't Ploesti, we just received puzzled expressions. At least we had someone to play.

Argyle won the match 2-0 with goals coming courtesy of Steve MacLean and Luke Summerfield. It was a decent performance, and undoubtedly made all the more sweeter by the arrival of summer.

As soon as the Green Army saw that first square foot of blue sky above us, there was a collective sigh of relief and they soon got into good voice.

One particular highlight of the match was the over-theatrical manner in which the Romanian players went down after a tackle. To put it simply; it was embarrassing. Some of the gymnasts in this summer's Olympic Games would have been proud of one particular player's roll.

After the match, the team headed for their hotel in Salzburg and duly set about changing into 'civvies' ready for the evening. It was finally nice to have some non-footballer food and we were even treated to cherry chocolate cake - luxury.

So, it's goodbye from Austria and from Salzburg - so long, farewell, auf weidersen, goodbye!

Chris Parsons