GAME DAY - NZ v Australia 1-0

Well, getting to the game today was a tad stressful- started out well, we got up early to leave Christines by 5.30am allowing plenty of time to get to the game at 8.30. However, we did not anticipate that the English decide on Sunday that  everyone should sleep in and not go anywhere on a train until 7am!
Even with the Olympics  on and  lots of people who work at the Olympic village wanting to get to work, the tube is not open.
So we had to wait till 7, then when we got back to the station, the underground guy says ' UM we are a little understaffed and not sure if this station will open at 7 after all'.  By this time my blood pressure was rising and I was starting to panic a bit and thought 'half way round the world to watch my daughter in the olympics only to miss the game because the tube station is shut!'
Anyway we ended up running to the next station and making it to the Olympic village at 8am then had to sprint about 3kms to the hockey venue! Got into the stadium at 8.20 with 10 mins to spare!

The nerves, the excitement was immense but we all had a feeling that the Blacksticks were ready to rumble and rumble they did! They made Aussie look very average and were definitely the better team on the day. Only wish they would get a couple more goals up to make watching the game a little less stressful. Was great to see they have come a long way in their belief that they can WIN!
I have a good feeling about this tournament and hopefully they can keep up the great start.
After the game, met up with all the girls for a talk and hug and then let them go back to their preparation for the next game.
There is a great bunch of parents of the Blacksticks and we have a fun group who all get together during and after games. We went to Kiwi house to celebrate our win which was great fun.

                                           Gordon and I not happy, waiting for tube station to open
                                           so we can get to the game!

G

Looking forward to the next game on Tuesday- NZVSth Africa

Exploring London Town

Day One- Exploring London
Rob, Lesley, Christine and I went out today to see London, we picked up our Olympic tickets for the game and stumbled upon a fantastic food market where the food is amazing! You can buy anything from oysters to fruit to trying out different food from around the world.
Trafalgar square, Hyde park, Regent St , Covent Garden, all places we went to see. Amazing, busy, vibrant and we loved it! London has not changed that much but has many more people here now of so many different cultures but the atmosphere is still the same and why I love London!
The people are really friendly especially to Kiwis and we have met alot of the local Brits. The weather is very like NZ with four seasons in one day, when we left it was hot and sunny but changed quite quickly to cold and wind with a drop in temperature.  
We had a beer and wine at the Nags Head which was the pub Rob and I worked in when we were  20 and 22 years old! It hasn't changed much, such a beautiful pub with a lot of memories of late nights drinking and playing games with the rest of the kiwis we worked with.
So cool to be walking down memory lane 29 years later! We all had a great day and came back to the flat to cook our meal. We are still a bit jet lagged and are flagging at about 5-6 pm. So as soon as we come right, we will be out painting the town red!

 Rob and Christine eating oysters in the market

 The Nags Head - where we worked 29 years ago

 London sights

Traveling to London!

Michelle-
First day of our trip- Auckland to London
We left Auckland at 5.50pm on our long journey, it's been 28 years (or are you 29 Jared?) well that's how long ago since we were in England. I remembered the very long trip and sitting on a plane for more than 28 hours in a small seat is no fun! Emirates was great though and feed us constantly which was a bit much towards the end and had to stop eating everything!
Arrived in London at 12.00 mid day and found after a surprising short exit through customs (only took us about 15mins from baggage to exit!) we got on the famous London underground. Well we took to it like ducks to water and remembered all the times finding our way around. Heathrow to Belham and Christine ( my cousin who lives here) picked us up from the station.
After a shower, and a nap we were ready for action and went out to the local pub to watch the opening ceremony. Rob did his usual and met the locals and by the end of the night was everybody's mate. Lesley and I met a couple who really did not believe we knew anyone in the olympics let alone was our daughter. She also thought I was way...... too young to have a daughter that age! ha ha loved that one. Another old English guy and his girlfriend who told us was Somalian but been in England 14 years was very entertaining. We cheered on our NZ team when they went by and met some fellow kiwis from Whakatane!  I was suprised that the British did not stand up for 'God save the Queen' and told them so. We had a lot of fun !
Now we are off the explore London and pick up our tickets for Gem's first game tommorrow 8.30am London time! Will put some pics up soon. Bye for now hope this blog is not too long!

Lesley

Finally here ,  tired but excited .  London pubs are  so  much fun , met a  wonderful group of revellers  while watching the opening ceremony .  Today we are off to explore the city.

Follow Gem and the Blacksticks at the Olympics - 1st game 8.30pm NZ time against Aussie

GO KIWIS!!

Still in NZ ......

Hi Friends and Family,
Follow us on my blog to see updates of our travels to the Olympics!
We leave on Thursday 26th July, can't wait!