The weather forecast for the weekend look’s great for skiing in Whakaapa, the ski area 3 hours south of Auckland. So I book accommodation for Sunday and Monday nights.

On Sunday we get up at 06.00 and are out of the house by 06.30 for the journey down to Whakapapa ski field at Mount Ruapheu, a dormant volcano. Continue reading →

Today is the final round of Auckland’s Four Nations rugby championship which sees teams representing Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland compete against one another. At short notice (as weather has cancelled a planned skiing trip) I’m available and have been asked to play for Wales in the wooden spoon decider against Scotland. So I duly make my way to College Rifles’ ground in Remuera where I am given standard issue XL shorts and XL Auckland Welsh jersey and shake hands with several team mates that I’d never met before. Continue reading →