Sulpher, Luge, Egg Chasing and Possum Murdering
Happy St. George's Day
I finished Book 19. 'Bravemouth' by Pamela Stephenson. It supposedly charts Billy Connolly 60th year, but is basically Pamela's diary and to that end is a bit dull. There are a few interesting anecdotes, but basically don't bother with it.
I got a cheque from the car auctions today. It came a bit of a surprise firstly because it was supposed to go into Saturday's auction and secondly because someone bought it. Strangely the car fetched exactly what they suggested $700. The auctions is such a buyers market. The also charged over $300 to sell the car, but to be honest I'm glad to be rid of it.
The Milkmaid came and picked me up and we spent the day in Rotorua. We dropped off her Canadian exchange farmer and then headed to the Buried village. It cost $18 and we had a guided tour from a Maori and got a very interesting lesson in where they came from. Rotorua lies on the San Andreas fault line and 117 years ago was buried when a volcano erupted. The fault line accounts for all the thermal activity and smell. I thought the guide was very interesting and informative, the village left a little to be desired.
Afterwards we headed to the Gondola which takes you up to get a good view across the Lake. In true Kiwi style you have a number of adrenalin fueled activities to take part in including a swinging bungy ball and the street luge. For $33 you get the gondola ride and 5 goes on the luge. There are 3 courses to choose from. The scenic takes a meandering route down the hill, but is still good fun. The intermediate takes a quicker route down. The advanced is over in a minute or so and has lots of sharp bends and adverse cambers. At one point you go down a very steep hill and get a good lick of speed up.
I had an enjoyable afternoon. Thanks MM and no you're not scarey.
In the evening the Tanners and I went to the Super 12 Egg Chasing in Hamilton ($19). The Waikato Chiefs are taking on the Investec Stormers from South Africa. The Stormers are in 2nd and the Chiefs are 5th, a position they're not used to and gives them a great chance of qualifying for the semis for the first time, especially as they have 3 home games left. The game was made harder for the Chiefs as they have just returned from South Africa with a few injuries and some tiredness.
I'm thoroughly surprised at how much I have enjoyed the Egg Chasing, maybe I shouldn't be as it is a sport. It helped that the Chiefs won 29-14 after some stout defending, some bad Stormer kicking and a couple breakaway tries.
On the way home Michelle intentionally ran over a Possum (little fluffy thing). Squelch I have to say that I closed my eyes, but I felt the bump. Don't all go writing to the RSPCA, because it is every Kiwi's duty to kill Possum's whenever they are found. Although they are a protected species in Oz in NZ yhey are a huge pest. That may explain why there is so much Road kill over here.
