First Full Day - Christchurch

So today, we finally managed to enjoy our first full day in New Zealand, and luckily the weather was superb, really sunny. Sadly the wind wasn't so helpful as it turned out at 4.30am that our Hot Air Ballooning was cancelled! Still we try again tomorrow.

First up after a nice breakfast was, a stroll around the city of Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, where we would be for all of the first week. The city is very green and has the River Avon meandering through it, it really feels like a taste of old England on the other side of the world...a nice way to acclimatise!

First up then was a punting ride on the River Avon, see the photo to the left, which shows Amanda and I looking happy.

After this it was back to town for a view that money can buy, but I felt very privileged to see it, namely in the main square was a small zoo/aquarium which had New Zealands national bird, the Kiwi in it. Although it was pretty dark in the nocturnal room, we managed to see it, so we could tick that off our to do list!

Following a lovely lunch in the botanical gardens where Amanda managed to have a play on a tree (see below),

It was back to town to ride the old tram in town. The picture to the right shows me in front of the tram. A jolly old ride it was too, as there was a band playing old songs on the back of it...all the old classics, such as 'You are my sunshine' etc.

Finally, it was back into town for a bit of shopping, then a nice dinner and we managed to fight through until 9pm before finally succumbing to the tiredness and jet lag!

Would be rude not to!

Cheeky Beer to start the trip!

Christchurch

Yes, we made it to Christchurch, and managed to have a little look around, including seeing the Cathedral in the main square to the left. Jet-lag is pretty bad but our Hotel (Hotel SO) is very nice if not small!

Our Plane...

to get us to Christchurch today hopefully!

Made it...but not quite!

OK, try and keep up with me here if you can, we've made it to New Zealand, but only Auckland, and we have a plane trip to Christchurch still to go. As you can see from the photo on the right, Amanda was feeling a bit silly after a long time in the air here, taken immediately as we got off the plane.
Still judging by this photo to the left, I'm in not better shape!
However, once again the video screens were blurring with activity, this time I enjoyed watching 'The Blind Side' and 'The Damned United.' OK, with both being sport's related, I was always going to be sucked in, but I really liked both of them. Billy Bremner was hilarious though in the latter film!

We now face a walk to the Domestic Terminal to catch our plane to Christchurch!

Hong Kong

So we endured 2 hours in Hong Kong airport, which to be honest wasn't much kop! Not particularly looking forward to another 11 hours on a plane. Still I got stuck into 'Couples Retreat' and 'The Hangover' which were good, so thank heavens for small devices I guess!

NZ038...

...is off. I hope this flight is ok!

New Zealand here we come!

So here we go, the trip to end all trips. This is a retrospectively written Blog of my Girlfriend Amanda and my trip to New Zealand and Fiji in February/March 2010.

Thursday 25th February and we are flying for 24 hours to New Zealand via Hong Kong! Here is Amanda getting ready with a big burger in Heathrow!

Hope this stands the test of time...and enjoy!

Are they, or are they not for real...

Manchester City win again...leaves them level on points with Liverpool in 4th place with a game in hand!

And a win for the Glory Hornet Boys

Confession Time...

...I didn't stay up to witness it, in fact I turned off when I thought the Colts were going to win following Joseph Adddai's Touchdown in the 3rd Quarter. Still despite me losing a fair amount of money, I think I'm quite happy that the Saints won, and think it's a wonderful story if nothing else!

Superbowl!

Well, it's that time of year again, when all eyes focus on the good old US of A, for the greatest show on Earth, the Superbowl. In this case it's Superbowl XLIV or however you write 44 in Roman Numerals. It appears like the Colts of Indianapolis are favourites lead by their QB Peyton Manning (Right).

However, the underdog Saints with their two stars, Drew Brees (Left) and Reggie Bush have won the hearts of the Nation and possibly world, and winning could be redemption for a City ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

My own view on the matter, if Manning can be as consistent as he normally is and the Colts Defense can be the force they have been for most of the season they should win. However, if Brees can keep the momentum of early completions going, and RB Reggie Bush (Right) plays like he did against the Cardinals in the playoffs, then the Saints are in with a shout!

I'm staying up late, hoping we have a cracker!

Euro 2012

Interesting draw in Poland as the groups for the 2012 European Qualifers were made. Scotlands group is not that easy:
Spain
Czech
Scotland
Lithuania
Liechenstein

Spain will be exciting, especially with the Santander work situation, but I think second place is doable!

England in same group as Wales and another easy group!

6 Nations

Always very exciting to watch the 6 Nations championships, even if it did involve England Winning.
Ireland are still top of the early stages of the Championships, having laboured to a win against Italy at Croke Park in the early game.

'Girl' Wonder

Is it just me who finds it funny that a professional athlete needs to take a gender test?

Stress

My god it is a pain in the backside.

Need to get a flat, and need to sort out football!

Soccer-Time vs. Spain

We lost 2-0, oh dear oh dear
That is me there on the right,











Down here on the left are the Happy Spanish

Quiet Weekend

I have to say a really nice quiet weekend is occasionally the best thing ever! Lovely!

Nice too as off to Scotland next weekend to see Iona and Ed!

Twitter

I'm going to give this a go. Only seems fair. See link to the right for me!

Cup-Tastic...again

So the 4th round of the FA Cup this weekend, and only one shock to really deal with, Swansea dumping the holders Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park. Jason Scotland, former Saint-ee played a key part.

The glory hornet boys also progressed beating Crystal Palace 4-3 at Vicarage road. Chelsea and Man U also progressed, whilst Arsenal face a trciky visit to Ninian Park and Liverpool host the game of the round in a Merseyside Derby, 6 days since their league meeting.

I'll be watching on Setanta Broadband!

The big game North of the border was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

News

Firstly a happy new year to you all.

Secondly, expect a lot more mutterings, as Neil is now on-line 24/7. Hold onto your horses now!

Boxing Day

So a big happy birthday to the big man!

Family went off to Vicarage Road today to check out Watford's Christmas Cracker of a tie against Gary Johnson's Bristol City. Was a very poor game, but did see 6 goals. Sadly only 2 were notched for Watford!

Merry Christmas

Well now, it is properly Jesus's Birthday now peeps, so make sure you have a good one, eat too much and of course set it all off with some fine alcohol!

That Time of Year!

So then, Christmas has come around again! Seems no time since last year. A nice and quiet one for Neilly Boy with just the folks and Katy here. Still plenty of sport on, including live action at Vicarage Road.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Once Again!

P6 and P7 on the 1st and 2nd of December!

Congratulations to Manchester United

Well Done those Boys!

This was the Key Moment though! Penalties so literally a Russian Roulette:

That Time of the year again

P1, P2 and P3 on the 9th, 10th and 11th June. Fingers Crossed!

UEFA Cup Final

Managed to get myself a free ticket to the football in Manchetser today through work.

Abspulytely great atmosphere, terrible game though, with Rangers losing 2-0 with very negative tactics.



Lots of trouble afterwards too, managed to miss it all though luckily!

Cardiff

Just back in from Cardiff where went to see the EDF Cup semi-finals between Leicester Tigers and Wasps and Saracens and Ospreys.

What a stadium the Millenium Stadium is though. Only 41,000 there for the games, but I can imagine it is really a special place when Wales play, especially with the roof closed. Think it is second in the 'Great' stadiums I have visited, although Mile High Stadium in Denver still holds that 'Honour!'

Infrequent

Technically, it's been less than a year since I last left a post on this puppy, however, it is Easter again now so feels like it could be a year!

Anyways, another year, another injury, with a pucker couple of broken ribs being nursed as I speak. Cracking good news that!

Reminiscing - Good Watford Times

I've made it!

I have mad it onto YouTube. Unbelievable, I've made it at last. Hollywood here I come!

Facebook

This bad boy apparently has taken over the world, and my life too to be honest. See my page here.

Easter Mutterings

At home in Harpenden for the Easter weekend. Not too bad to be honest, have enjoyed the relaxing time,with no responsibilities. Got over my run now and realising only 2 weeks to go to the Marathon now!

That is only the start of the busy period though, with moving to new flat with Telfs and then the bloody exams in June too.

Still another day off tomorrow, and the Masters to look forward to tonight.

Knackered

Wow, Final Long run today for the London Marathon, a belter of a 19 mile run. Felt horrible towards the end, but on track to get round within the 3hr 45minutes I am looking for!

Remember to sponsor me.

Power Hours & Beer Pong

Seriously need to be brought to the UK!

And I think I am the man to do it!

Power Hour

The Greatest Drinking Game ever, got better!

Peter Crouch Brings Back The Robot

Peter Crouch Is Officially a Sex Machine...Apparently!

Photos

More Photos Available from the Link here:

Photos

Callum - My wee Cousin

Here he is the little Rascal.







With a cheeky grin on his face to Boot!

Mr & Mrs Hodge

Here is a photo of the happy couple, taken in the University Quad.

Wedding of the Year!

Just got back from an absolutely tremendous weekend up in Scotland, back in the Auld Toon (St Andrews) as my Big Sister Iona got married to Eddie Hodge, Gentleman and St. Johnstone fan, which are not mutually exclusive by the way (Came as a surprise to me!). Unbelievable time, got quite nervous myself, but Mum managed not to cry (too much), saw all the family again, including Granny and wee Callum, plus of course many of the Big Prizes boys. Absolutely faultless day and night, had an incredible time, and couldn't be happier to have such a great new brother-in-law.

£40 Million, and the big time!

Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army

Oh Yeah, you have to love those Hornets, massive 3-0 drubbing of Leeds in the play-off final at Cardiff. Bring on Chelsea, ManUnited, Arsenal and the rest! Then bring on Europe the season after that.

Best FA Cup Final

Today's showpiece final really was thrilling, high drama from start (or at least after a slow opening 20 minutes) to end, with for once the penalty shoot-out actually being quite anticlimactic after what had gone before. Truth be told, you have to feel sorry for the Hammers as they should really have won it, but that man Steven Gerrard really showed how good a player he is with two of the best goals you will see, both volleys, designs of power and technique. His first was a real classic, his second a goal you will struggle to ever see bettered. Congratulations to Liverpool, the sides they have had to put out edged them my support so I was chuffed for them. That and the fact they have a player called Pepe, clearly this was always going to go in their favour.

Scotland Win Silver!

OK only the Kirin Cup, but better than nothing! 0-0 against Japan this morning clinched it.

Recognition

I give you....Me. Sandrige Rovers Managers Player of the year and Players Player of the year. Just so you know, I never win any of this stuff, so to say I am overjoyed is an understatement. Collected my awards from Andy Linnegan, he of last minute FA Cup winning heroics for Arsenal against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993.







Might be a bit worse for wear when this was taken!

MySpace

Well Myspace has apparently taken over the world, so right enough I should set up my own account.

Abbey

First day went OK. It wasn't as well polished an opening day as at PwC but it was interesting enough and the guys all seem like good guys. Think it is going to be a slow and boring week though until real auditing starts next Tuesday.

Stagged Up

Quality weekend up at Crieff Hydro for Eddie Hodge's Stag Do, a mixture of drunken debauchery, quad biking, golf and fives football (Prizes Vs) Had a whale of a time and 7 hours sleep for the weekend so feel a bit tired now. Nothing like a man dressed up as a pig dancing to Dignity by Deacon Blue in a bar in Perth before watching him Klinsman dive into a massive roadside puddle!

New Work

Found myself a new job then, working as an internal auditor for Abbey. Work starts on 10th April!

Holiday Rocks

Just back from an absolute belter of a weeks 'Boarding in Val D'Isere with Dad. Snowed all week the week before we arrived, but during our time there we had pretty much nothing but blue skies. Didn't count a cloud of note during our entire time there. More photos here.