Thursday 6th October 2011
Rachael wanted to take us to Waiheke which is where she
and Dave got married about 4 years ago. It’s a 35 minute ferry ride from
Auckland. Luck was on our side as we arrived to pay for tickets and the ferry
left as soon as we got on. It travels out past Rangitoto which is an inactive
volcano before docking at Waiheke. We’d called ahead to hire a car for the day
and picked it up from Bernard Cribbins. He proceeded to give us a potted
history of the local flora around the car park on the way to get the car.
“Don’t tell them about the cannibas plants eh?” said a wag as we passed through.
Apparently Waiheke is renowned for its ‘hippie’ lifestyle.
Since we arrived here I’ve been trying to pick up an Ireland
flag. Everywhere we went they were sold out (the normal response was “after the
Aussie game”) so I was well pleased to round a bend to see a big ‘Flags!!!’
sign and plenty of Irish ones available. A quick stop and some unrequested
advice about Eccles cakes later we were back on the road.
Stonyridge is a vineyard and restaurant in the middle of
Waiheke. It’s the exact spot where Rachel and Dave got married. It’s stunningly
beautiful. A platter of food and some bubbles were ordered and we got to
talking to the Maitre ‘d who had also been there for Rachael’s wedding. He
mentioned that his partner was from Liverpool and it turned out it was Paul
Rutherford (Frankie Goes To Hollywood) and that he was due in for lunch in a
bit. Nice, we’d get to meet a genuine 80s pop star. “Oh yeah, and the whole French
squad are on their way for lunch in 30 minutes” he added as he walked off. Holy
jayzus!
Well Frankie did arrive and we said hello and got a photo,
but up close and personal with the French squad was awesome as they say in NZ.
Huge lumps of meat and bowls of rice were slung on each table where the players
sat in their ‘France’ labelled tracksuits. A couple of birthday cakes were
brought out after lunch and everyone joined in singing happy birthday in
French. Mind you if their singing is any indication of their togetherness then
England are home and hosed on Saturday!
We then drove to Onetangi beach on the north side of the
island. It’s a beautiful beach with very
little going on which was perfect. We walked up and down the beach and just as
we were heading to Charley Farley’s bar for a quick scoop 5 of the France team
arrived, stripped down to their boxers and dove straight into the fairly cold
sea. It was all I could do to drag Lindsay and Rachel away, such was their
concern for the players safety.
Once we’d dropped off the car we took the ferry back and
bumped into former England (and Question of Sport!) captain Bill Beaumont as we
got off before heading back for dinner at Rachel & Dave's.
Next trip is to head to Wellington for the game with a stop off at Rotorua
and the hot springs.
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