The end of the line

Pun absolutely intended. For the Rugby we got our own Blue Line, inspired by the one at Auckland Airport that I've shown you before. Well actually the photos below are the beginning outside Puke Ariki and part way along but for those following it back from the stadium on Monday night, after our last local game it was the end in more ways than one.

It's been great having games in town - players, media, hundreds of tourists most following the games but some not, wall to wall campervans and a fabulous buzz. The Fanzone is still going though and I suspect will be rocking every weekend right through to the Final.

Just to prove...

that it's only mostly about the rugby at the moment. This is the White Hart Hotel. My Mum stayed here when she was 6. It has been closed and displaying it's own version of shabby chic since I moved here suffering badly from weather and wear and tear.

But for the last few months it has looked more like this.

And a few weeks ago The Snug bar, in the 'front' part opened, all spruced up and looking gorgeous. I haven't been inside yet but apparently they have done a brilliant job of keeping some of the original features.

And just because I really can't not mention it - this is the hart, of the White Hart. Yes, he's wearing a Taranaki scarf as a proud supporter of the team that won the shield.

Happiness is...

A glass of Pizzini red, nibblies, Rugby on the telly (that's Georgia btw) and a pile of clean laundry that doesn't need ironing.

Rugby by the numbers

1 seriously impressive impersonation of the Michelin Man consisting of...
4 layers - 1 icebreaker, 1 sweatshirt, 1 vest, 1 coat
2 food groups - carbs & protein (pie and chips)
3 if you count the hops and barley in the beer
13-6 the final score - USA won against Russia
And finally...
1 fabulous guy with a great sense of humour on the sound system who played Singing In The Rain when it was tipping down at half time.

A small reward

for being rent-a-crowd for breakfast TV

Trust me on this

Brian O'Driscoll, captain of the Irish Rugby Team, two of his team mates and the coach open our Fanzone on Friday night

The crowd in the Fanzone (aka our foyer) getting ready for the opening game. Inside and out there were about 600.

Part of the US Pacific Marine Corps Band in town to support the USA team and in our foyer at the crack of dawn yesterday for Breakfast TV.

USA players (not the guy with the shiny buttons obviously).

True colours

I have shown you pictures of the shark at work before. The other day I walked past and he was getting his back scratched (being dusted) in preparation for ...

showing his true colours. Being the Fanzone for the next 7 weeks we are sporting the colours of the 5 teams who are playing here - you can see Ireland's, Wales, Namibia, Russia and the USA are up too. Regardless of what is going on around him the shark is firmly supporting the All Blacks, good on him!

We've been Bunted!

Everywhere you look there is bunting, strings and strings and strings of little flags representing the 20 nations that are playing in the World Cup. Kick off is Friday and the town is getting dressed up, fired up and ready to party.

What a week

In the last 10 days we opened and blessed pretty much everything we could lay our hands on including but not limited to the new Visitor Information Centre, the new Ceremonial Doors and our new Manager. The surround for the ceremonial doors has been cast in bronze by one of our staff, also a noted carver and artist and they are beautiful.

The carvings tell a wonderful story of Maui casting a net to gather the 8 tribes together and hold the mountain in place and here is Taranaki at the centre.

Last week we had the Ranfurly Shield visit briefly and today, for Father's Day it was here again for a little longer. As exciting as this is it's just a warm-up. Next week we transform into the Fanzone for the Rugby World Cup. Actually, I'm doing quite well with the photo ops - Webb Ellis (World Cup) last year, Shield this year. Not sure how I'll managed the Tri-Nations cup next year...must think on that.