.... and I'm just a little bit insane about rugby!!

I have just read the most amusing letter on the Weatherwatch site ... from a mom of 3 berating winter and the rain and the cold .... and the realisation on speaking to her neighbour, a refugee from Somalia who moved to NZ to build a better life for her family, that winter and the rain and the cold are necessary for this beautiful country to remain as beautiful as what it is.  The weather system is what allows the circle of life to continue ... it allows this country to have the beautiful lush landscape it does have.  New Zealanders don’t always recognise how good it is here ... and sometimes it takes someone from outside their country to waken them to how very fortunate they are.  This mom has now found a new use for her extraordinary langauage, as she calls it ...... it’s called “The build-up to the Rugby World Cup” ... hahaha ... she’s obviously not a rugby fan!!

The SA Sports Commentators

Today is magnificent ... I could have spent all morning on the beach ... the sun’s shining ... the skies are blue ... there’s no wind blowing .... my hound and I loved it!!!  It’s those smallest of things which make each day so spectacular!  I live in such an awesome spot ... the waves and the sand at the bottom of my hill .... coffee on tap at my favourite haunt ... and my 4-legged furry friend to share it with!  How can I possibly allow the difficulties of life to defeat me when I have all this to look forward to each and every day!

The bridge in action

RWC is almost upon us and I am just so excited ... I can’t wait!!!  We went to the viaduct in Auckland Harbour yesterday to see all the changes they’ve made for RWC ... there was such a vibe and it was so busy .... we even got to see Bobby Skinstad and Kobus Wiese and 2 other SA commentators being interviewed by one of the TV channels here.  Sadly for them, the suspension bridge being raised to allow a few yachts through drew peoples attention away from the TV cameras.

1 of the 2 trams being used on the 1.5km circuit

We did the touristy thing and took a ride on the tram ... the driver was hilarious .. such a sense of humour.  He gave a running commentary on points of interest as the tram followed the circuit .. his best was the Fishing Shop ..... “ ... the bait there is so good that if you don’t catch anything with it, the bait itself is good enough to eat!” .... and  “... they’ll teach your kids to swim there .... they drop them in the Shark tank ... they either learn to swim quickly or become part of the food chain!”  I sure hope the tourists appreciate his sense of humour!

Roll on RWC .... I am so ready for you!!!

My adopted city