2 up

Played two, won two and the Lions are coming together. However the A.B's thrashed Fiji last 91 - 0 so this evening NZ Maori match (which has about 10 AB's in) has the makings of a great match. It is also in Hamilton and captained by our own Jono Gibbs so has a home touch for us.

Fiji may be a tiny island but most of the Pacific Islanders are passionate about their rugby. Problem for them is the good guys come here, Sivivatu, Rokoccoko (cc pronounced th, not sure of the spelling) etc. Both played in black shirts last night against their countrymen. The most wonderful news for the Fijians and rugby yesterday was that they signed a deal with Fiji flour mills which will give them a pay packet and professional status. There is a lot of talk about the pacific islands forming one combined 'national' team, but Fiji has been the biggest opponent to this. Wonder if last nights performance will make them think again.

Have to confess to missing most of the Lions-Taranaki game last Wednesday. It was broadcast at 11pm and although we set the TV up in the bedroom we were both shattered and fell asleep. I woke around midnight and caught the last few tries.

Alice had a brilliant day this week. Their team lost the Cotter Cup by one goal but she got the player of the day for her team. She shot about 35 goals for her team in 5 games (I have to say that is Alice's figure and I have yet to get that verified as we weren't their. Richard can you comment please?). Anyway she was bursting with pride when she came running through the door after school waving her trophy and I was sorry that I could not have watched at least some of the day. If Eric was working her would have tried to pop in but he was at Uni.
Well done my baby!

On the subject of netball, didn't Magic do well. 60 something 30 something against the awesome Stings. 'What?' I can here many of you saying! I am talking about the National Bank Cup. Our team is Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and they have the awesome Irene Van Dyke (a S.African who is an icon at goal shot in the netball world) and our own Hinuera/Matamata raised Cassie Williams. Well in the cups 8 year history it has never left the bottom half of the South Island, where they are very passionate about the game. There was a big drama when Magic won the right to a home final but could not come up with a venue (their usual Mystery Creek was hosting the Field Days). It was then to go over to Tauranga in the BoP but the organisers were not happy with that venue. It should have gone to Auckland, for neutrality and close to the Waikato but No they took it to Stings hometown of Invergargill. The Sting are probably the strongest team in the cups history and it was thought on home ground they may be they favourites. But we showed them. Brilliant.

Eric had a very stressful day on Thursday. He dashed in from work and was throwing together his books for Uni when he suddenly called out 'Oh No, is it Thursday?'.
'Yes, is that a problem?'
'But it's your birthday tomorrow'
'Yes, I know'
'But I haven't got your present and I've got a test'
It was Wednesday in Eric's head and he was planning to shop in the afternoon for my pressie and study for his test in the evening. He left in a very stressed state! As it was, the test was easier than expected and Briscoes stays open until late so he was able to get the heated curlers I wanted. He had been deliberating out loud in the previous week about whether to get me what he was thinking of getting me or whether it fell into the 'household items' category (a strict No No). This deliberating was driving me mad so I told him to tell me in the morning of my birthday, and if I'm happy buy it that day. I am now the proud owner of a vac/blower. You'd have to see how many trees we have here to know how rapt I am with the pressie. I spend hours and hours each weekend raking and burning (Many of the leaves are walnut which I believe don't make good leaf mulch, hence the burning in case you are worrying about my un-econess). With life as it is at the moment, and rugby and netball on the TV I had a quiet birthday. Mom and dady phoned in the morning and I went to see a colleague near Rotorua who has just had a hip replacement. Marilyn lives the other side of the lake to Rotorua. The house is on a creek, very beautiful with lots of birdlife including a very rare white heron. Apparently there are only 200 in NZ so they feel very honoured to have this resident. Very handsome he is too. Worked the rest of the day. In the early evening Robyn came round and bought me a lovely bowl (my collection is running low after a few breakages) and a fabulous handcream she knew I liked. We tried to persuade her to stay for the Thai curry Eric was cooking but she was keen to get home before the match (the netball one, Robyn doesn't do rugby). What I will be finding out this morning is did the netball or rugby win out - they were broadcast simultaneously for those with Sky!

Today we are catching up with Bruce, an Old Boy here on the Lions tour. We are meeting him for lunch which means Harriette will have to miss her netball (I've OK'd it with her coach - Robyn!). We don't have anyone to babysit - where is Bridget when you need her?!?!?, so will have to take them along. I think we will have lunch together then I will take the girls shopping and leave the boys to hit the rugby club and have a few beers. Photos tomorrow.