The Rugby World Cup 2011 ~ final game.

Well the game is now over and we did win, but only just, with the final score been 8-7.

Les Bleus played so well and deserved to win and for some reason, nerves perhaps, our boys were not playing their best game, making it 80 minutes of nail biting and... sit on the edge of your seat!

Congratulations to the All Blacks!

Commiserations to the French boys and hope that it will be Les Bleus standing on the podium in 2015, they so deserve to have that honour.

We have enjoyed having people from all around the world in our Country and none more so than the beloved French people.

They seem to be the life of the party, proudly sporting their berets,  and dressed in red, white and blue where ever they go.

Driving around the City lately there has been a little 2CV with the wonderful anthem 'La Marseillaise' blaring forth, interspersed with a Cock crowing.

So all  good fun in the City!

 Wishing you all a wonderful week and now life will get back to been a little more quiet in the City.

that is after the ticker tape parade up Queen Street.

Hugs

Carolyn

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

Rugby World Cup ~ 2011

It's here at last, if you are a rugby fan, and we have been counting down the days for such a long time now, for the games to begin. It is now kick off time!
Down under, it is incredibly exciting and there is a real friendly atmosphere with people from all around the world coming to enjoy the event.
"The Cloud" as it is referred to, is where fans can go and watch the games on the big screens.
The flags of the Countries that are participating and I wonder who will win the Webb Ellis Cup this time?
We watched the fireworks from off the deck at our friends house, the pyrotechnics were spectacular, lighting up the sky and the loud booms were ringing through the night.
So for the next six weeks, we will be able to share our Country with the rest of the world. May the best team win!

Hope your weekend was wonderful.
Happy week all
Hugs
Carolyn