We started the week off by going to a RAF Concert at Colston Hall - a memorial to the Battle of Britain - it was one of the best we've been too. Also learnt to do a bit of jive in our dancing lessons which are coming on nicely - it will be Strictly Come Dancing soon (yeah right!). It is the season for rugby and in zero degrees with snow outside what better place to sit than in the Cardiff Millenium Stadium watching Wales and New Zealand thrash it out for 80 minutes. It wasn't a particularly enthralling game from the spectators perspective - a bit stop start - but given the temperature (even a roof over the stadium and 74,000 fans weren't enough to get it to a comfortable level) who can blame the players for feeling a bit sluggish. We would have felt the same (our training in the afternoon involved doing some Christmas shopping and eating - exhausting!!). Still, Dan Carter kicked the penalty that made him record holder for most points scored in an international and Harry even managed to get it on camera. One of the most special moments was the 1 minutes silence in memory of the Pike River Miners. It was a poignant reminder of the close ties NZ has with Wales. And the other was of a good proportion of the crowd singing our national anthem.
God of nations! at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our Free Land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
E Ihowā Atua,
ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarangona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau tō atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa
If you want to read what Mike has been doing in Sydney check his link out.
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