Tuesday 6th April...after we all suffered from a terrible night of not managing to sleep we are up early for the days events....Lynn has a full day of lecturing at a local hospital....with Dave, Nick, Gill and Eric wondering what day it is and when the rain will stop!!

Dave's mate arrives (he's called Tree.....he's a big lad) and quickly sets the days itinery which starts with us spending the morning in the company of Todd Blackadder and his Canterbury Crusaders at training. Todd, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Daryl Gibson and Matt Hanett spend time speaking to the gang, getting pictures taken and signing a TMP top for Gill..who had suddenly become very interested in rugby at this point!!!... thanks to all the Crusaders for a great morning and for supporting the trip so enthusiastically.. at one stage Dave had four All Black captains, past and present, kicking his tyres but he still refused to sell them his bike!!!

After a light lunch Dave, Nick and Tree went on to do a photo shoot for the local newspaper at the famous Scotty Browns cycle shop and were really well looked after.. thanks to Scotty and his staff for their support.

Dave's second bike and assorted stuff has arrived from Auckland (thanks again to Tree) which is a big relief..... in the same box out popped Big Al Brogan, Megan and wee Hamish fresh from their world travels..... the gang is getting bigger by the day.....after a quick turn around the lads head out to nearby Hadley Park for the first real training run for Dave since arriving..... hopefully tonight we will all get a better nights sleep as TMP is only 36 hours till KO.

Thanks to everyone at home for their continued support and please keep spreading the word. More news tomorrow. Eric