Summer, Summer, Summer has come to Wellington - December 2011

Ah ... the winter is over and it is time to start summer (spring does not exist in New Zealand as such, it is just a storm that sits in between). Off to our part time batch in Martinborough. Forgot to ask anyone else so we had the WHOLE place to ourselves !

All Blacks, Rugby World Cup Parade, Wellington - October 2011

The country is still recovering from the manner of the win, but the Kiwi's are beginning to take the English view about it "a wins a win". So in the pissing rain the All Blacks bring the Webb Ellis Cup to Wellington.

Big crowd out in the rain

Dan Carter (Danny C) and his groin seem popular

Forwards not lookers really

Ali Williams cheer up

Corey Jane, Lion ! (the one not waving)

Zach Guildford

Greame Henry (Coach) and Richie McCaw with the Cup

Richie blessing people

Ma'a "Nonu Nonu Nonu" with the cup and hero Piri Weepu in his woolly hat



RWC Final at Black Barn, Hawkes Bay - October 2011

It happened that the rugby world cup final hit on the same weekend as Brucies birthday which was taking place at Black Barn in Hawkes Bay. Luckily they had an ampitheatre and we watched there.

Brucies 50th, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Off to Hawkes Bay for Dear old Bruchie's 50. Good food and company. Once again Hawkes Bay is somewhere we like a lot.

Now, the real highlight of the area is a talking toilet. It tells you how long you have been allocated to enter, it decides how much toilet paper you can have and tells you to wash your hands and it plays you soothing elevator music. It is a wonder of the modern world and serious competition to a talking toaster.

50 Bro

Shirt alert !

Go Sarah !

Talking toilet !!!!!

Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals, Auckland - October 2011

Drove up to Auckland for the Quarter Finals. Luckily England got through for the first match, then we see New Zealand for the second. Our expectations of England are rather limited, but still it is great to go down the pub with the supporters and feel the vibe. We did not deserve to win as we were not a team, but golly, those French people are slightly annoying so to loose would be bad. Bugger, we lost.

Second match we turned into our Kiwi persona. Good to see them go through but they did struggle somewhat. Luckily our Wellington hero Piri was on hand to run the show with his distribution and kicking. Go Piri.

England - a white one and a black one eh

England supporters fill pubs



All Black Sunday





Go Piri !!



Rugby World Cup Pool Stages, Wellington - September 2011

We've waited and now its here. We had bought a pool pack of tickets for Wellington. Here is a sample.




South Africa v Fiji - Wellington

Caught you !

Fiji

Fiji Haka

Defence !!

Watch out D that bloke wants your sausage !

Can I hear whinging ?

Yeah, I know

Wales v South Africa - Wellington

Wales v South Africa - Wellington

All Blacks v Canada - Wellington