Saturday, October 22, 2011

The All Blacks and Les Bleus~

Rugby fever has gripped the land. Our little City of Auckland has been packed to the brim with Frenchmen, Australians, Welshmen, Irishmen, and visitors from a dozen other Countries - all on an unprecedented level, all enjoying themselves and having a good time. 
For those of you who may know the Rugby world cup is being held in New Zealand for the first time in 25 years, which coincidently was the first and only time NZ has won the cup, back in 1987. Most of all the event has been good natured and a lot of fun to watch and discuss. 
It has been a glimmer of the positive in out part of the world as we continue to recover from a year of disasters from earthquakes to ship wrecks to name but two. 

Well the event draws to a close tomorrow night 
( Sunday 9:00pm NZ time) and will be played at the stadium, where the event opened, on Eden Park. 
Two teams will meet on the field to 'battle', to contest the World Cup, the Webb Ellis trophy. For the first time in a quarter of a century our team will be in the finals competing against the willy French team - 'Les Bleus' 
We are looking forward to a great match on Sunday night - of course supporting the All Blacks and keeping a weather eye on the cunning French. 
The French are of course usually loved in New Zealand, but not when it comes to rugby. They say that Rugby is a game for thugs, played by Gentlemen. This is evident in the rough and tumble and the great respect shown at the conclusion of every match by all.
We were downtown yesterday, wandering around one of the many 'fan zones' that have been set up for the locals and visitors who are not lucky enough - or rich enough to have tickets to the final (last time I heard the tickets were close to $3000 to watch the game.
As you can see from the pictures the crowds and the two cruise liners that are in port, the one from Rotterdam made me think of my friends, Saskia,  Madelief, Ria, Renny and Mea, hope I did not forget anyone.
Ah well in that spirit ~ may the best team win and may you all have a great weekend.
With Monday a holiday here, we may need the day off to recover from the match, whatever the outcome.
Hugs
Carolyn

36 comments:

  1. Congratulations! Sounds fun and exciting. Enjoy!!! Lovely pics, Carolyn.

    Have a great weekend!
    xOx

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  2. Congratulations. I love Rugby. I was introduced to Rugby in Hong Kong when they played the Sevens. I learned from friends all about the sport and became addicted. It is so much more civilized that American football. What I cannot understand is how there are so few injuries and so little protective gear. American football players have so much gear, and I truly think it is a painful sport.

    What fun to have the cup there in New Zealand.

    Karen

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  3. Dearest Carolyn,

    That is exciting for New Zealand and who knows about winning? But I'd like to wish you and your family a happy Labour weekend!
    Love to you,

    Mariette

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  4. Sounds exciting, and there are lots of people that follows the game. It´s a fun weekend for you Carolyn. I am cheering NZ
    Hugs
    AnnaMaria

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  5. What fun - wish we were there!

    Have a lovely weekend,

    XOXO Lola & Nora:)

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  6. Oh CAROLYN!!!!! What a buzz of excitement and fun this must be! And with the great weather that is coming your way, or probably is already there, what a wonderful time to spend outdoors with the fun and excitement! Thank you precious heart, for coming to visit with me! Though our days here are getting darker and less colorful, what is for sure is that LOVE never lets the true colors of life fade.

    Enjoy the FESTIVITIES! Anita

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  7. Congrat Carolyn! I've always been so intrigued by rugby. I watch any chance I can but it's not a huge sport on over here in the states. The to sports I love hockey and rugby are not big here unfortunately. Have a wonderful time! :) xoxo

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  8. Wow on those ticket prices, Carolyn! But how wonderful NZ is in the finals! Good luck to them and I'll be waiting to hear your report on the outcome!

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  9. great post dear! and amazing photos <3

    http://mithakomala.blogspot.com/

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  10. Have fun !! enjoy a happy weekend...love from me...xxx...

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  11. Enjoy Carolyn! I expect there is a wonderful excitement in the air...

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  12. Being a South African, I LOVE rugby and when our Springboks were defeated by the Australians in the quarter finals my heart was broken. However I supported the All Blacks in the semi's and sincerely hope that they win the trophy in their own turf. They are a very strong team and should beat Les Bleus. So here's to your victory tomorrow!

    Pat xx

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  13. Oh how exciting and fun Carolyn!!!! love these photos!!!

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  14. Those cruise ships are huge Carolyn! That is so neat to see a photo of them. I imagine the feeling there is very exciting for you to be experiencing, I know it would be for me. Enjoy every minute of it my friend!
    hugs from here...

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  15. I hope you have a fantastic weekend! Enjoy the rugby!:)
    ~Anne

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  16. Oh Carolyn, I have to tell you (middle of the night here now) my sweetheart is in bed, sleeping, alarm on for the game, we are rooting for New Zealand, good luck and thanks for the little background info, so now I can say something interesting too.... I only love the haka I think you call it, at the beginning,I have no clue what and how but love to watch when I pass by, asking him what he wants to drink, and getting no answer...too busy watching...
    enjoy and now I have to go and sleep some....night honey, Maureen x

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  17. OH my did I read the price of the tickets correctly. Unreal you would have to be rich to see them play. lol
    Glad NZ got to be the host to this I know it must be really exciting for all of you.
    Hope your having a great weekend
    Love
    Maggie

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  18. Hi Carolyn
    Oh how exciting this must be.. Beautiful photos.
    I am having a very productive week Carolyn. Around the house that is... Would have liked to spent more time on my art. Next week..
    Thank you so much for your most welcome visit and kind words.
    Wishing you a beautiful weekend
    Blessings,
    Penny

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  19. Dear Carolyn
    Congratulations! What fun!
    Thank you also for the nice comment on my blog.
    I wish you a happy weekend.
    Hugs Yvonne

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  20. 'Carn the All Black's!!
    Millie xx (Can't quite believe I said that!)

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  21. Oh wow! A lot of excitement where you are! You'll have to let us know which team won. Enjoy the holiday weekend!

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  22. Oh this is such a special event!!! What fun, indeed! and also, I love your "pinks!" They're beautiful. Thank you so much for your sweet note--all went well with the surgery--the trick will be making sure that he doesn't want to use that arm too quickly!!!
    XO
    Cindy

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  23. Ready for the game ??
    Regards from France....

    Pierre

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  24. How exciting Carolyn and I'm thinking I should go for Les Bleus - but who-ever wins it's going to be a great night and for you I hope the All Blacks win!! xx

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  25. I'm a litle sad for our national team but It was a great match...
    Congratulation for your victory !
    It's a victory for AllBlacks, NZ, rugby and sports value...
    Enjoy !
    Greetings from France,

    Pierre

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  26. Hi Carolyn, I just heard that the All Blacks won the world championship. Congratulations! It must have been a lot of fun for you watching that game.
    Have a wonderful week :-)!
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  27. Love and hugs and kisses
    I love all you share
    I love you
    Jeanne

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  28. Celebrate you and surround yourself
    with people that do.

    http://jeannesbliss.blogspot.com

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  29. I haven't been keeping up with rugby but I know some of my friends have been following it! Hope you enjoy yourself :)

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  30. What a victory for the All Blacks and New Zealand! Congratulations! The celebrations must be huge!

    Pat xx

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  31. Hi Sweet Carolyn,
    Looks like a lot of fun going on in New Zealand and an exciting time for all who live there and the many guests to the city.

    Best wishes to all for a safe and fun game. So happy that it is being played there after so many years.

    Great pics as always. I love those ships.
    Enjoyed your Think Pink post too. So pretty.
    Have a great holiday too!
    Have a wonderful week.
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  32. May the best team win! I've never watched Rugby - here in germany, soccer is the greatest thing and my boys follow the games every weekend. Have fun Carolyn, hope your sunday is lovely! xx

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  33. Dear Carolyn
    Congrats on your winning team!!! How exciting!
    xo

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  34. Congratulations, dear Carolyn :O)))

    I heared it in the radio, couldn't watch, but I have been very pleased, when I heared, that the All Blacks have won!

    have a great new week,
    sending Love and hugs,
    Claudia

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  35. What a hustle bustle in the city. Sounds really exciting! Have a great week!

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx