Today's the day

There was some good netball played today and some good rugby. Australia was a bit scrappy in the shooting circle but this wasn't helped by some inconsistent umpiring. Jamaica defended, shot and used space very well. They pulled ahead early on, but, after a tactical time-out, the Kiwis were able to literally knock out one of their opposition in the shooting circle and gained the upper hand. The stadium was packed to the rafters and the atmosphere was electric. Tonight there will be standing room only. Aussies and Kiwis love their netball and look on their players as superstars. I only hope that it will be netball we get to watch tonight and not rugby as I really feel that any team which resorts to strong deliberate contact designed to take out players have not "won" regardless of their nationality.
We went to a good Japanese restaurant today, the food was beautiful and the service good. The cake shop around the corner from the restaurant is totally to blame for the weight we've all put on (maybe not for Kerry's) and we've never seen sandwiches and cakes so good AND cheap. $1.10 NZ for an apricot turnover, the same for a large date scone $2.20 for a really healthy sandwich.
The breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with Vicki Wilson was a great success. The food part of the morning was unhealthily greasy, but the entertainment part was great. The Australian netball team came along and said hello and Vicki told a few stories from the past. She held a netball trivia competition and Jodie won! Out of nearly 150 people! She was given an Australian netball cap signed by the whole team!
Jo and Shell went down to the pub to celebrate getting into the finals, and were shouted drinks. They were late back, had a marvellous time and have declared that we are all going down there tonight, win or lose, old or pregnant.
It is unreal to think we are heading back to Australia tomorrow. On one hand I would love to see more of Auckland but on the other I want to go HOME.
Bye, Helen