And Finally

Thousands of expectant All Blacks fans snaked their way along the ingenious fan trail to Eden Park already celebrating a World Cup Final victory. Three hours later the mood was one of relief as the best team in the competition very nearly got mugged by the enigmatic French who very nearly pulled off a brilliant win. Jeepers that was close!!

It seemed fitting to me that the hosts  should be rewarded for putting on such a great show and embracing every single fan from every country in such a friendly and enthusiastic way. The world stopped for seven weeks in NZ and when the fireworks lit up the Auckland sky and Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis trophy surely nobody could begrudge them their first win in 24 years. Brilliant.

The final week of Where's Nelly saw us almost blown away at Cape Reinga, hugging the great Kauri trees in the north, dolphin spotting in the Bay of Islands and getting very emotional watching a quite fantastic Dame Kiri Te Kanawa on the eve of the final.

We finally finished the Owzthat cricket at 5-30 am in Auckland Airport with the W Indies winning a closely fought game by two wickets. England 356 and 280, West Indies 442 and 195 for 8. Man of the match Bacchus. 

The Match Prediction game was won by Martha on 245 with John on 229 and Greg on 215. Michelle receiving the trophy on Martha's behalf at an emotional awards ceremony in Paula's bedroom skyped live to Loughborough University.

We have loved flying the 'Where's Nelly' flag all over NZ but couldn't resist a 'Best of' to finish what has been a quite brilliant trip.

Best Anything- Rugby on the beach in Dunedin
Best Fans- Argentina and France
Best Team not to make the last 8- Samoa
Best Player- Ma 'a Nonu NZ
Best Beach- Lonely Bay in the Coromandel
Best Place- Lake Waikaremoana
Best View- From the top of Cecils Peak in Queenstown
Best Drive- Rotorua to Waikaremoana along 'certain death' gravel road
Best Campsite- Te Anua. Like a Hotel
Best Cafe- Rhythm Cafe in Mairangi Bay
Best Tourist attraction- Doubtful Sound boat trip. Awesome
Best Stadium- Otago Stadium in Dunedin
Most Surprising- How bad the damage is in Christchurch and yet how positive everyone remains.
Most disappointing- England
Champagne Moment- Running down the giant sand dunes with Greg."Come on Sarge"
Most Hospitable- Michelle. You were brilliant thanks.
Funniest Moment- Auckland Zoo watching two parrots mating and Greg says "I bet she's had a Cockatoo"
Nominations were also received for - The Radios, Hoodies, Flag, Pirates Rugby Club in Dunedin, Owzthat in the van, Skiing, Helicopter flight and  Kayaking near a fin in the water at Ohope Bay.

And finally thanks to our friends Greg and Paula who we loved spending the last 7 weeks with.

KIA ORA