Pricey package from the official Lions tour partner.
I came cross this offer from the British and Irish Lions official tour travel partner. One return flight between London and Auckland plus a category ‘C’ ticket for each of the three test matches for £2,999 per person. Accommodation not included. Wow that’s some price. Continue reading
Sold Out – Cardiff’s Lions dinner.
The power of the Lions brand in action. The Cardiff leg of the British & Irish Lions Dinner Series where “an array of the greatest Lions will come together to evoke memories of past glories, tell their very special stories and look ahead to the Tour to New Zealand” sold out earlier this week. Continue reading
Graham Norton’s infamous red chair.
Bil, the British and Irish Lions tour mascot.
In 2017 the British and Irish Lions take on New Zealand, the 2016 World Sports Team of the Year in their own back yard. The relentless itinerary sees the Lions playing all New Zealand’s Super 18 teams, the NZ Maori and three tests against the All Blacks over a six week period. This is some sporting Everest for the Lions’ players and management. Continue reading
Visiting the Bay of Islands without a boat is like visiting a ski resort without taking skis. While we don’t have a boat we’re in luck as our friend from St Heliers, Steve, has brought his boat up to the Bay of Islands for the summer.
Christmas morning swim (L-R Paul Dance, Johnny Morris)
One of the many periodic jolts that reminds us that we are the other side of the world is Christmas. The Kiwi tradition differs in quite a few ways to a Christmas in Wales.
Taupo – Reproa cycle course, Taupo Half Ironman
Knocked-off work at lunchtime today and met up with Murray Heatherington (who I acted as support for during the Ironman earlier this year) to travel down to Taupo for Saturday’s Half Ironman which he is also competing in (along with Russell Stephens and Sam Walsh). Continue reading
The 2.9km Auckland harbour swim.
Got-up at 06.15 this morning to eat before going into town for the Auckland Harbour Crossing, the annual ocean swim event / race in Auckland which involves a 2.8km swim across the Waitemata Harbour form Bayswater to Viaduct Basin in Auckland City. Continue reading
Welsh fans watch the rugby World Cup semi-final on the big screen at the Millennium Stadium (courtesy WRU.co.uk)
A busy Saturday today with much to do before the Wales v France semi-final clash. Up at 06.45 for a 30km run. During the run I came across a strutting cockerel crowing, a sign of things to come perhaps. Continue reading
Sean Fitzpatrick driving pink fist-shaped dodgem car.
In a week which saw unusually low and high pressure systems combine to suck air straight up to New Zealand from the Antarctic and heavy snow fell across the South Island, lower North Island and Auckland for the first time in 76 years, a deep PR anticyclone visited Telecom NZ and looks likely to hang around for some time. The NZ media is looking on in disbelief and outrage at Telecom NZ ‘Abstain for the All Blacks’ campaign, which, while not yet officially sanctioned and scheduled (if sanctioned) to start next week has been (intentionally or unintentionally) leaked. Continue reading
NewZealandly 