Cold in Canberra!

It's a long weekend for the Queen's birthday, so we decided to have a weekend away, and combine it with a Rebels away game. This time in Canberra.

When we were dropped off at our hotel, we thought that we were in a business park on the outskirts, but were pleasantly surprised when we walked into the hotel reception and saw a few of the Rebels players milling around! It wasn't planned, but again we were staying in the same hotel as the players!

We checked in and then thought that we'd try and find somewhere to have some lunch. Turns out we werent in a business park, we were actually in the city centre! Canberra is the Capital city of Australia, but it couldn't seem less like it! There's a nice big shopping centre, and a bit that reminded us of Gloucester, but other than that there is nothing - it seems like a really weird small town.

After lunch we went back to the hotel and had a drink in reception. The COO of the Rebels arrived at the hotel after lunching with the team sponsors, and recognized us and came over for a chat which was nice. A little later his wife came to say hello, and even Rod Macqueen acknowledged us when he came for a coffee!

Everyone warned us to rug up when going to Canberra stadium - and they were right to! It was absolutely freezing! For the second half we left our seats and stood up instead so that we could keep moving! It took a while after the game to feel our toes again! And with the score 32-17 to the Brumbies, we didn't even have a win to warm us!

Fan parachuting into the stadium!

But, as with Auckland, it was after the game that the fun began! We went for a drink, and were there to see the Rebels return to the hotel. It was so nice that some of the players remembered us, and came and spoke to us rather than us feeling like we're them! I was chuffed to bits when Gareth Delve called me by name, and later started following me on Twitter! We had pictures taken with some of them, and they thanked us for coming to see them! They really are such lovely lads!

Me and Stirling Mortlock (Captain)

Me, Cooper Vuna and Darren

Darren, me and Mark Gerrard

Me, Laurie Weeks and Darren

Me, Julian Huxley, Nic Henderson and Darren

Saturday we decided to see the sights of Canberra - first stop the Australian War Memorial, which is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia. We walked up ANZAC Parade which is lined with sculptures in memory of the people who died in the various wars, to the memorial itself. Visiting the shrine with the Hall of Memory and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier was a very humbling experience.

We were also lucky enough to see the parade for the Queen's birthday.

Next we visited Parliament House on Capital Hill, with it's 81 metre flagpole with the Australian flag.

The Senate

The House of Representatives

And on down to Old Parliament House

The National Library of Australia

And Captain Cook's Memorial Water Jet

After a cultural day, we went to the North Quarter for the best curry that we've had since we came to Australia!

Sunday morning we went for breakfast and mooched around the city (didn't take long!), and then back to the hotel to check out. We left for the airport a bit earlier than we needed to, and that turned out to be a clever move! Our flight, and all flights after it were cancelled due to a volcanic ash cloud from Chile. Luckily, the flight before ours had been delayed - just long enough for us to get the last two seats on it! We managed to get home before they closed Melbourne airport - otherwise we would have been in Canberra for a lot longer than we'd planned!

For one night only!

Auckland one week, Sydney the next!  The Rebels were playing the Sydney Warratah's this weekend and we couldn't think of a reason not to go, so we went to Sydney just for one night.

It was good timing as well, because Kelly, a friend from the UK who has been staying with her sister in Sydney was due to go back to the UK in 8 days!  Caught her just in time to catch up over a Lindt hot chocolate at Darling Harbour!

The rugby was at Sydney Football Stadium, and when I got to my seat there was a massive cockroach sat on it - not a good omen!  And unfortunately we saw them lose again!  But it was still a good excuse to have a weekend away!

Auckland - part 2!

Tired from our night with the Rebels, but not wanting to waste our visit to Auckland, we decided to jump on the Auckland Explorer Bus and see 9 attractions without having to walk to them! We got on the bus at Sky City and headed to the Americas Cup Viaduct Harbour. New Zealand has a long history of involvement with the America's Cup Yachting regatta and was only the 2nd country in 100 years to win it from America. Auckland first hosted it in the year 2000 when they defended the cup but lost it in 2003 to the Swiss challenger Alinghi.

Next stop, the Ferry Building, which is the centrepiece of the harbour in Auckland. Built in 1912, it still serves as an active ferry terminal with ferries departing to Devonport and various Hauraki Gulf islands on a regular basis. The building itself is made of sandstone and brick.

Next was Bastion Point Lookout, with views out over the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour. We decided to get off the bus here to see the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Gardens, dedicated to the Labour Party legend and prime minister of the 1930’s.

From here we walked down to Mission Bay beach, which was beautiful.

We stopped for some lunch and then walked around Tamaki Drive on the waterfront, with great views back to the city, and picked up the bus again at Kelly Tarltons Underwater world.

The bus then took us through Parnell Rose Gardens, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland Museum, Parnell Village, and the Civic Theatre Corner where the Movie King Kong was filmed, and finally back to Sky City - at 328 metres it's the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand.

After a wander around the harbour and shops, we then headed back to the hotel before having dinner at Sky City in the evening.

Easter Sunday was our last day in Auckland, so we decided to brave the Sky Tower. First we went to the main observation level at 186 metres. The lift to this point was scary enough, with a glass bottom and walls so that you can see just how high you are!!! I never like heights, but even Darren found the lift a bit freaky! The views though were awesome - you can see up to 52 miles in each direction.

The glass floors and small viewing areas though made us feel a bit funny! Although some people are crazy enough to jump off it! I think this picture captures the point where someone realized it was not a good idea!

We also had the option to go up to the Sky Deck at 220 metres. Darren felt that he had been high enough at this point so I braved it on my own!

We both agreed that it was a good thing to do, but if you don't like heights it's something you'd only do once!

And all too soon it was time to get back on the plane and head back to Australia! Another time I think it would be nice to see more of New Zealand, but it was a great trip - and because of the long weekend we still had two more days off work to enjoy when we got back!

Surreal and yet so real!

We wanted to go away for Easter and were undecided where to go, so we had a look at where the Melbourne Rebels were playing their away game so that we could tie a trip away with seeing them play - Auckland it was then!

We flew from Melbourne on April 21st, and arrived at our hotel in time to go out for a lovely Thai meal, and then back to the hotel for drinks at the bar. We hadn't planned it, but turned out we were staying in the same hotel as the players! There were a few walking in and out of the hotel reception, but when we saw Greg Somerville I couldn't resist a photo opportunity!  

Greg adds All-Black class and experience to the Rebels front-row. Greg was capped 66 times between 2000-2008, a record for an All-Black prop, and was selected at both sides of the scrum, testament to his technique and versatility in the most technical of positions.  In Super Rugby, Greg was a fixture in the tight-five of the all-conquering Crusaders during their title winning seasons of 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008. He holds fifteenth place in the all-time Super Rugby appearance standings, with 116 and counting.
But we know him from the English Premiership powerhouse Gloucester, where he had been since 2008.

Me and Greg Somerville!

On the Friday morning we went down to the harbour to do a bit of sight-seeing around the viaduct harbour, and then back to the hotel, which was right by the Sky City Tower before heading off to the game.

Luckily there was a free bus to the ground, so it was no trouble getting to North Harbour Stadium.

We felt a bit out-numbered with the Auckland Blues fans, but I still wore my Rebels top with pride and out-shouted some of them!  Unfortunately though, we lost 40-23.  The Good Friday match started on a solemn note, with both teams taking the field together in an ANZAC tribute. The Rebels also wore black armbands as a sign of respect for Nic Henderson, who was mourning a death in his family.  Once the match started, it looked like a typical Blues encounter. The Auckland side is known for its quick starts, and it didn’t take them long to get on the scoreboard. The clock had barely ticked over two minutes and the Blues had a 5-0 lead.  The Rebels had trouble getting anything going in attack, and ten minutes later, there was a second try and a 10-0 lead.  But the Rebels refused to give in, and were on the attack with the score at 23-17 at half time.  The Blues came out firing in the second half, but the Rebels continued to battle until it was 28-23.  It was anyone's game.  However, the Blues scored a try 6 minutes from time, with another in the last minute.

Despite losing, it was a great game to watch - if only for their mascot!  A blue-beard pirate on a segway with fireworks!

After the game, we got the free bus back to the hotel, and then had a drink in the bar - hoping to catch a glimpse of the players when their team bus brought them back.  While we were sat there, a group of men in suits and ties, with their wives dressed just as smart, came into the bar and came to join us.  They saw that I was wearing a Rebels top and Darren was wearing his Gloucester Rubgy top, and came to ask us what we thought of the game.  After they'd made themselves at home with us and the conversation wore on, we realised that they must be something to do with the club - turns out that one was Alan Winney, who's on the board, and another was Steven Boland, the Chief Operating Officer!

We saw Rod Macqueen, the director of Rugby and Head Coach arrive at the hotel, and before we knew it he, the two assistant coaches and the team manager were also joining us for drinks!  For a bit of background, Rod Macqueen is one of Australia’s most successful rugby union coaches. During his time as Wallabies coach, the team won 34 of their 43 matches and held the Bledisloe Cup, Tri-Nations Trophy and World Cup.  

While we were talking to the big-wigs, the players arrived so I had to run off and get a picture with Gareth Delve.  Gareth arrived in Melbourne after captaining Gloucester in the English Premiership. He is also a Welsh international and his eleven caps include two in last year’s Six-Nations tournament.  Gareth’s career began at Bath, where he was coached by Rebels Assistant Coach, Mark Bakewell.  Gareth is the first Welsh international to compete in Super Rugby.

Me and Gareth Delve!

And back to the bar!  It was getting late, and Steven said that he was going up to the team room in the hotel and that we should join him.  I don't think we really knew if he was joking or not, so we stayed with the assistant coach (Damien Hill) and team manager (Scott Harrison) to finish our drinks.  When the bar manager came to tell us that the bar was closing if we wanted last orders, Damien said that he was going to the team room and asked what we were doing - to which I replied that we were also going to the team room!  He hadn't heard Steven invite us up so he was a bit wary of letting us in so told us to be prepared to be turned away!

We got out of the lift on the 6th floor, and were greeted by a couple of players playing table tennis and the team medic clearing away a physio table.  We waited there while Damien went into the Victoria Room to check that it was ok for us to go in.  While we were waiting, Darren introduced me as the Table Tennis Champion of the Dominican Replublic 2001!  Thank goodness Richard Kingi wasn't interested otherwise I could have looked a bit silly when I lost!

And yes we were allowed in, and to be honest I was a bit scared going in the door!  But Rod was lovely and pulled up chairs for us at his table with Steven Boland and the skills coach Nathan Grey.  Nathan played 35 Tests over 7 years for the Wallabies, appearing in the 1999 and 2003 World Cup squads.  Nathan started his career with the Queensland Reds and holds the record as the most capped centre with the NSW Waratahs. Upon finishing the 2004 season with the NSW Waratahs, Nathan played in Japan with Kyushu Electric Power Company’s team, Kyuden.

So anyway, I could tell you all their histories, and all we talked about, but I'm sure it's not really of interest to anyone but us!  But I will share the photos of what was the most surreal few hours ever!  If it wasn't for the photos I don't think I'd believe that we were in there having a drink with the players while they were playing cards just a few hours before they had to check out to fly back to Melbourne!  Before he left, Steven Boland gave Darren his email address and promised us a seat in the Weary Dunlop box at the next home game - we'll see.....

Richard Kingi, me and Nathan Grey

Rodney Blake, Darren, Stirling Mortlock (Captain), me, Hoani Macdonald, Jarrod Saffy

Same table as above, but the one with the nasty black eye is Julian Huxley

Danny Cipriani, James Hilgendorf, Heath Tessmann, me, Laurie Weeks, Nick Phipps, Hugh Pyle

Me and Danny Cipriani

Australian Grand Prix 2011

Can't believe that it's a year ago that we took mum and dad to the Grand Prix - the past year has flown!  Last year we had general admission tickets, but this year we went posh and had Grandstand tickets for the Webber stand.

We met Mark and Kieran at our seats - and Kieran had already worn himself out with all the excitement!

With ear muffs on - he looked the business!

It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day - perfect for bubbles in between races!

We were treated to a pre-race ariel display, which really was impressive!

Black Hawk

Qantas plane - no 380s available apparently!

And then the excitement built just before the big race........

........and Kieran slept through most of it on daddy's lap!  He did wake up at one point though to ask 'Did a car just take over Roary (the race car)?!)

As with most of these sporting events, I go for the atmosphere rather than the sport, but here's a summary of the results:

World champion Sebastian Vettel driving a Red Bull won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.
Vettel beat Lewis Hamilton in a McLaren by 22.2 seconds with Russian Vitaly Petrov in a Lotus Renault third.
It was Vettel's 11th win in his 63rd GP after he became the youngest F1 world driver's champion last year.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso missed out on the podium in fourth place, while Vettel's Australian team-mate Mark Webber finished fifth for the third time in his home GP.

So the race all over we headed to St Kilda for dinner, and an amazing sunset!

Comedy of Errors!

I don't want to get any older, but I do love birthdays!!! 

The Tuesday before my birthday I went out for pizza and wine with girlfriends, and then at work they got me a lovely big chocolate cake, so the build up to my birthday was going well!

Birthday Eve was great, with the Melbourne Rebels winning their first game against the Brumbies - awesome!  There was only one point in it (24/25) so it was all very exciting - especially because they had lost their first game last week 43-0!

On the morning of my birthday I felt totally spoilt!  It's lovely to get presents in the post (and I loved them all!), and to open them with breakfast served in bed was a real treat!  It was a lovely hot day so we went for lunch on Church Street and sat outside, and then went to the beach in the afternoon!  Perfect.

The weather forecast had been great all week, so I was really looking forward to going to Shakespeare in the Park in the evening.  This would be the third year that we've been for my birthday - it's so nice to watch a Shakespeare comedy under the stars in the Botanical Gardens.  This year we were organised and pre-ordered food for before the performance, and took along a bottle of Rose Chandon - courtesy of Gill (thanks!).

On the way to the gardens there was a light shower, but it was still warm so we were still optomistic!

Enjoying the bottle of bubbly, we eagerly awaited our food - of which they had no record of us ordering but said would be there before the performance anyway!  And then the rain came so the umbrellas went up!  Still no food, and the performance begins!  Darren and I couldn't see anything because of the umbrellas infront of us, and we couldn't hear properly because the speakers were covered up because of the rain!  Marvellous!  30 minutes into the show, one of the actors announced that the weather was going to get worse so they'd have to stop the performance before they got electrocuted!!!  So there we were - no food, no show, and a half drunk bottle of bubbly in the pouring rain!  Not to be detered, we packed up the stuff and headed back into the city!  The irony of the show being called 'Comedy of Errors' was not lost on us!

Back in the city we went for a lovely meal on the South Bank.  They were a bit unsure about letting me in with my bottle of bubbly, and said if I drank any they would have to charge me to have it 'popped' - it was already popped!!!  But it was a good enough excuse to order more, and we had a fabulous night!!!  It may not have been the night out we'd planned - but it couldn't have been nicer!  And if you're wondering, the bubbly wasn't wasted!  I had another glass when we got in whilst skyping mum!

Cheers!!!