Twice Tuesday

I've never lived through the same day twice before, so our travel home day promised to be an unusual experience. Walked down through the wharf area to get a photo of the line out sculpture (were I managed to leave my trusty water bottle behind on the bench). We did spend a few hours at Te Papa, the NZ national museum learning about Maori history and culture, including the Haka (ka mate, ka mate, ka ora, ka ora). Also, lots of stuff about more modern history of english speaking New Zealand. Very worthwhile time spent (and free to boot!) After that, we found our way to the Craftsman Pub where we had a great hamburger for lunch. Then back to the Cambridge to collect our luggage, change into travel clothes and take a short cab ride to the airport. We hopped on an earlier flight to Aukland and our long flight to Los Angeles was very comfortable as we scored the vacant middle seat again. LAX proved to be the only negative part of the whole trip. Long lines for immigration (even though we were in transit), snarly border agent and generally a bad experience. That aside, I will say that Air New Zealand is probably the best airline I have flown with. Great job ANZ! Air Canada from LAX to YYC uneventful and on time. We didn't quite get home before we left, but almost. I wouldn't necessarily recommend a quick trip to New Zealand for the weekend, but Matthew and I had a great time and everything worked out perfectly. Hopefully the rest of the World Cup is as exciting as the pool round was for us!

Monday in Wellington

Woke up to some rather nasty weather, cold and raining fairly hard. That put a damper on our plans to do some more exploring of the trails on Mt. Victoria. After another great breakfast at the Cambridge, we linked up with Gilmour et al who had limped over to the Grand to eat. Had a flat white and caught up on their previous nights antics. Alan sent a car round to collect us and we went out to his car dealership and then popped into an outlet mall to see if we could find some bargains, none to be had. Alan ran us back over to Lampton Quay were we wandered through the shops in the rain. Eventually, we picked up an umbrella, which we really needed. Found our way to Plum Cafe (which had been recommended on day one) for a snack. Wandering about we stumbled upon the Welsh Dragon Pub, so we dropped in for a pint and met Mike, the proprietor. His riddle, " Fifty Dogs, Forty Eight Cats, how many didn't" left us stumped. Carrying on from there we picked up a bottle of wine to take to the Mexted's who had invited us for a Lamb dinner as that was the final item on our list of musts. We had enquired about a good restaurant for a lamb dinner (well actually, Lyndon did), and Alan informed us that no self respecting kiwi would go out to eat lamb, so they set about to plan the meal at their home. After a nap, Alan collected us an up the mountain we went to their home. Helen prepared a fantastic dinner of roast lamb leg, a medley of roasted squash and potatoes (one root vegatable in particular is popular here but I can't remember the name) and steamed veggies. Had another great visit with the Mexted family, the cacophony of kiwi accented dialogue at the dinner table will be a fond memory. A truly delightful family, generous and gracious to the core. Hopefully one day we will have an opportunity to reciprocate. And now, I'm posting my final report on the road. We plan to spend some time at Te Papa today, as our tour on Friday only wetted the appetite. I'll finish this trip blog from home.

Game Day #2 (Canada v New Zealand)

Well after our walk and breakfast yesterday, we got picked up by the Mexted's and went by their favourite Sunday brunch cafe, the Astoria. Henry & Jack never let a moment pass when there is a chance to toss a rugby ball around and this am was no exception. A small patch of grass in front of the cafe proved perfect for the three boys to work on their handling skills. We had a coffee and H&J had some chips (which they shared with Matthew), followed by bacon and eggs once Henry decided he might actually be hungry. Then off to Shed 5 to link up with Gilmour et al for a pre-game warm up. They actually have an outdoor artificial ice surface on the wharf which was a funny sight.

Rode to the game with Alan et al and saw some very expressive Canada fans along the way. None moreso than Zach Foster who turned up in the row right in front of us with his buddy Alex. They are in NZ for an OE (overseas experience, as described by Slat's). They are having an extraordinary time, complete with certain events that I have been sworn to secrecy over (not to worry though, apparently there is a "certificate" to commemorate the event). The game started with Canada drawing first blood, and eventually scoring a couple of trys, but the AB's are far to powerful for the Canucks. The game was very entertaining if not competitive, even without Dan Carter and Ritchie MacCaw. Matthew was enthralled with the experience. We saw lots of action in our corner (excellent seats again - thanks Alan!), we were just inside the 22 and about 15 rows up. We had a great view of the Haka to boot.

After the game, we walked with Zach and Alex back to the Dockside where I got them in (in spite of a very sceptical looking bouncer) and had a few beers and a bite before they took off with their buddies to the FoxGlove. We re-linked with Happy Gilmour and his troupe for more festivities topped off with a fantastic meal upstairs at the Dockside. Matthew and I then took off for a brief stop at the Fan Zone to watch a few minutes of the Ireland v Italy game on the big screen, but it was raining so we carried on to the Establishment where we heard the Canadian team was gathering. Indeed they were there albeit at a private function upstairs. A few players were mingling with fans at the bar, including the rather large Jamie Cudmore. After a long day Matthew and I headed for the hotel and crashed.

Slept in this morning and had our breakfast. Seems everyday, there is a slightly different protocol for this feature, but the food has been excellent every day. Also today, can't pick up the WiFi in the room (it's been good til now) and I'm down in the lobby posting. Desk attendant says they don't have WiFi on the second floor, which is odd, since the guy who checked us in told us about their 2nd floor wireless, and I've been using every day so far. Apparently getting everyone on the same page is challenging.

We'll see some more of the Wellington sights today, hopefully taking the tram and visiting the beehive.

First Game Day in Wellington (France v Tonga)

After rising early and a nice stroll along the sea wall, we returned to the Cambridge for a fabulous breakfast (the full Scottish, sans blood pudding). Most pleasing. After that, Alan and Henry collected us and off for some school boy rugby. It was very entertaining, with Henry's old school team taking on the current younger boys. Jack was also invited to play for the exes. Both boys scored try's and it is very obvious that these kids play a lot with the oval ball. Matthew was a bit intimidated, even though these kids are 12 and 13 yrs. Too bad he didn't have some gear as the older boys were short handed, and Matthew would have learned plenty.




After that, Alan dropped us back at the hotel with plans to meet at the Dockside at 3:00 for pre-game festivities. We went to the Wellington Trawler for fish and chips and then back to the hotel to get ready. Off to the Dockside where we met with Dave Gilmour, who coached the Saracens U15's with me, was there with some of his rugby buddies. Great to see him in NZ. Watched Russia score 4 trys on Australia in a losing effort. Afterwards, we hopped in with the Mexted's and caught a ride to the Cake Tin. What a game. Tonga produced the biggest upset in RWC history, not to mention a supremely exciting match. The crowd was heavily in favour of the Islanders and the French never really got in full voice from the stands. Typically schizophrenic of the French, and too bad for Canada to fall out of third place. Now an even greater upset is required, we'll see it live! We didn't stay in our seats as long as we should have afterwards to watch the Tongans celebrate. We walked back to the Fan Zone with the throngs and watched the 1st half of England Scottland, then walked over to Bangalore Polo Club to link back up with Mexted's and Gilmour for the 2nd half. The boys were in full tilt and having a great time, but we took the Irish good night after the game and back to the Cambridge for a relatively early night.

So this morning, we were well rested and up early for a stiff walk up Mt. Victoria, through the forest where Lord of the Rings was filmed. We worked up a nice appetite for our second full Scottish breakfast at the Cambridge and then went out to have a java at the nearby Starbucks. American influence even here, complete with loads of coverage of Football (college and pro). Had a coffee and enjoyed the Sunday paper. Afterwards, back to the hotel to find the Aggie game just finishing on TV, it never dawned on me that I could watch the Ags here when they rarely are televised in Calgary. Just as well though, outcome not too good. Next we're off for more pregame festvities and will be cheering loudly for the boys to post an historic win over the AB's.