Goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman is undoubtedly the biggest character in Newcastle's dressing room, and the stopper is going to spend the next week keeping United fans up to date with the goings-on during the Club's tour of Germany and Hungary. Saturday's opening instalment sees Woody reflect on a friendly defeat, bungee jumping, and smiles all round on the training ground...

It's nice to see we brought the weather with us to Germany.

I thought pre-season tours were meant to be done in nice, hot conditions, but we're on the second day now and so far I'm yet to see any sign of the sun!

There's been a bit of rain too so it's just like being in England - we feel right at home!

But, weather aside, it has been a fantastic couple of days so far and really worthwhile.

On Friday morning we trained at some fantastic facilities at Chemnitzer's youth training ground, before playing their first team in the evening. Even though the result didn't go our way I thought the lads did well and it was played at a good tempo.

Chemnitzer are further ahead in their pre-season and that showed a bit, but you cannot underestimate the good that the game will have done us.

We put out a young side but it was one that people may see quite a bit of this year. I prefer to think of these lads as the next generation of Newcastle players, and there are some exciting talents in there.

Pre-season tours are massively important, and this is where I come into my own because it's all about the bonding and being a group for the next season. So I will be working hard on that!

I've looked into bungee jumping (although I don't think that will happen) but I've got a few other things up my sleeve so hopefully I will be able to report something to you later on in the week!

To be honest though, it doesn't look like it will take much work to get this lot together. There's not many miserable faces about because we've got a great bunch here and the spirit just seems to keep growing.

That is so important. Their confidence is also so high after what we achieved last season and what we've got to look forward to this year.

The new lads, Gael and Romain, have fitted in well already. I haven't seen Gael with a miserable face yet - he doesn't stop smiling! He looks like Cheick, but their facial expressions are the complete opposite! So we've got happy Cheicky and serious Cheicky here!

As for the goalkeeping situation, pre-season is a massive time for back-up keepers.

Having been one myself during my career, it was a time when you really had to put your marker down and remind the manager 'I'm here, I'm ready, I'm waiting and I'm champing at the bit.

It's big for Robbie, who I've worked with for a long time both here and at Charlton, and I'm confident that he can prove himself as a good keeper. Then there's Harps as well who, judging by our training sessions so far, is in great form and that is really good to see.

We travelled to Munich straight from the match last night and are based here for the next week.

Saturday morning was just a light work out for everyone. The players who started against Chemnitzer did a recovery session in the swimming pool with Duncan French, our strength and condition coach, while the rest headed to the training ground nearby.

This afternoon we have a rare afternoon of leisure. There aren't many of those in the itinerary for this week, so we have to make the most of it!

Most of us are off to take in the sights of Munich, and I will report back in the next couple of days with what we discover.