More Netball in Auckland

Hi all,
Our dream, which we've been planning for years, came to life on Saturday. Netball and New Zealand. What could be better? A world cup win for Australia, I hear you say? We have been talking netball, watching netball live, talking netball, and then watching the games again that night on telly, and then, of course talking netball again. Most nights are late nights. There are some real netball nuts out here and I'm not just talking about us.
The first game on Saturday was New Zealand and Malawi. For the first two or three quarters Malawi didn't play with their usual flair and enjoyment which was disappointing but they seemed to relax in the end and I enjoyed the last bit. The next day the games started in earnest. Vicky Wilson (my idol) came and sat with the Australian contingent near us, and was chatting away to everyone, giving autographs. The Australians were obvious in their bright yellows and green. You could also pick them by their enthusiastic support of whichever team was underdog.
I felt the South Africans have really improved and will give the other top teams a run for their money. The other favourites are Jamaica, England, New Zealand and (of course) Australia. Only time will tell which is the better team. The umpiring is occasionally weak, but when all's said and done, the winning team will have to play to overcome any miscalls. For example when a Malawi player obviously kicked the ball out of court and got the throw-in. And that was the chap who umpired the finals at the last Commonwealth Games.
The staff at Alpers Lodge have been absolutely marvellous! They have been courteous, friendly and helpful. This is great after all the frustrations we've had in the past few days. We even have a bottle of low fat milk labelled with our room numbers.
Kerry and Jo have gone out on the town this morning, or the CBD anyway. They'll be worn out tonight. You know the girls are always getting really embarassed about the way I umpire when watching games. Well they're still getting embarassed!! But, guess what? My lovely girls were umpiring too. I even heard Ker booing. Shell was coaching the weaker teams and the whole stadium groaned when one of their players did a massive step.
Touch wood, the weather has been beautiful. We don't even wear a jumper most of the time. No rain yet but it may be coming.
Our bus comes soon, so will go and catch you another day. We don't get back till late, so bye.
Helen/Mum
ps. Miss you lots, Merv