It's all about the Rugby!

Apparently, I look like Judy Bailey! (See picture) She's a NZ newsreader and 'Mother of the Nation'. Well, at least she was, she's 'long gone now', or so said the guy who commented on the similarity.

Kiwi's are extremely friendly and welcoming. Stop and consult your map and they will suddenly appear from nowhere, offer help and tell you that you remind them of someone.
They are, in short, perfect hosts for the RWC2011 and Auckland is just 'buzzing' with atmosphere and rugby infused vibe.

The world has quite literally come to play and the streets are awash with the colours of the many flags and shirts of the competing teams.

This really is the time to be in Auckland as the excitement mounts in the Tournament. Whether you have tickets or not, down at the Fan Zone in Queens Wharf, all the matches are screened live and there's music and entertainment every day; live bands, dance, comedy, rugby skills sessions, Maori culture and much more.

So, we got thoroughly caught up in all the hype and enjoyed a full day of rugby entertainment on Friday. This commenced with picking up the tickets for the games from Eden Park and then heading to town and the fan zone.

Highlights included a rugby skills master class by an ex All Blacks Coach and a Q&A session with Tana Umanga and Tayne Randell, ex All Blacks. (Ian missed out on a photo opportunity here, despite my remonstrations that he should just 'get in there.')

We drank Heineken, Guinness (in O'Hagan's Irish Bar) and some fine Brancott Estate wine and then picked out our favourite boat from the many sleek and expensive looking vessels moored in the harbour.

We dined in an excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the harbour and narrowly avoided having our table snatched by a French TV company, wanting to film from our excellent vantage point.

We then watched some minor NZ 'celebs' arrive at The Venue (huge conference centre) for something called the Bestivals; 'best of the best' awards. However, from what I could see, there was evidently not going to be an award for the best in fashion!

The fashion here, from what I've seen, does leave a lot to be desired. It could be due to a more casual approach to dress perhaps, but for a 'posh do' one would surely make more of an effort?
Along with a fellow female tourist of the same opinion, we enjoyed a good twenty minutes as fashion critics. (Where were you girls, we could have had a field day?)
I did spy at least two pairs of Louboutins', however.

I said there would-be fashion advice and for those of you who are interested to know how my packing has gone down thus far, I can report that I have maintained my usual high standard of leading edge fashion.(!) Despite not bringing a pair of heels, a decision I may yet regret, although where they would feature in the camper van, I'm not sure, I have managed to be comfortable, warm, cool and remain on-trend. It really is about adapting to the vagaries of the weather. (It's true, you can experience four seasons in one day here).

The Games!

So, we come to the rugby quarter final between England and France.
We were swept along in the build up at the fan zone and walked along the fan trail, about four kilometres, through the town to Eden Park.
This was extremely well organised with marshals and entertainment along the way, including, to name but a few, people on stilts, musicians, food vendors and a very convincing Johnny Depp, aka Captain Jack Sparrow.

We stopped at a very crowded and warm bar to watch the start of the Ireland game, with a mix of Irish, Welsh, English and French fans.

The 'entente cordiale' was especially evident as we exchanged friendly banter with the French fans, Ian even buying one of them a drink.

As we continued along the route we marvelled at how much the city was behind this tournament. People were sitting outside their bunting clad houses, drinking and enjoying the spectacle of the droves of fans walking past. Some had even dragged out their furniture and TV's as fans stopped to enquire as to how the game was progressing.

Many of the fans were dressed up and the range of costumes and extent to the trouble they had gone to was amazing.

Once at the ground the entertainment continued and whilst I was engrossed watching some fierce looking Maori dancers, I suddenly noticed Ian fling his arms around a passer by. As some of you know, we can't go anywhere without finding someone that knows Ian and the chap in question was an old Ashburnian from his rugby playing days; Peter Fuller.

Once inside and seated, the atmosphere was incredible and despite 'allez les bleus' booming from behind us for the entire match, we enjoyed a well fought game.

More to follow....