The picture on the right shows why Spook never got to fly out of Queenstown. We did have a very positive experience at the airport though. Firstly, we got to meet up with Hugh McPhee from SpeanBridge, who works there (me and Hugh had a date many years ago). Hugh and Spook are old buddies. The laidback and friendly attitude of the staff helped to soften the blow of the fog bound airport and the tannoy announcements inviting people to take up an offer of a bus to Invercargill sounded supportive. The next annoucement was that there was a young man in the foyer, who had decided to drive to Dunedin for the rugby and did anyone want to go with him? We liked that. Couldn't imagine Glasgow announcing that one over the tannoy or anyone offering or taking up the offer in our suspicion ridden culture. We had to leave Spook and hope it would all turn out well, knowing that Hugh could shelter him in Queenstown if necessary. We were settling in to enjoy the match when he texted me to say he was at Lake Tekapo, on a bus to Christchurch where he had to find accomodation and wouldn't be flying out until 5.30pm the next day. Bad news when he has people meeting him at the airport in Vancouver, not to mention brother David. He is more than a day behind now.
We had a pleasant, and fogless drive to Dunedin which looks like a lovely, characterful city. Meg is happy at Kate's house and we had a good night at the match with Finn eyes agog at his first big match of any kind. The All Blacks didn't play too great and the French played very well, so they did deserve their win. Unfortunatley, we didn't notice that John Timu was there at the start, recieving his Cap along with others being honoured.
We are staying at Every St, which is a street that has been in the papers for the last 13 weeks due to the biggest murder re-trial in Kiwi history. A man accused of murdering 5 members of his family (relations by marriage of our old neighbour, Stewart), and who has just been aquitted with very mixed feelings in the community, had been convicted and served 12 years of his sentence for allegedly committing the act 3 houses up from the one we are in. Finn felt that it lent the street an air of mystery and intrigue.
grateful for:
getting to attend an All Blacks game at Carisbrook, which is to be replaced by a new stadium, much to the sadness of many fans.
For not being 3 doors further up the street.
And really sad for Spook and his long journey for a shorter holiday - we will be home in Wanaka before he gets on the plane at Christchurch.
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