9 months here - our list of likes n dont-likes

[MotherBear]

Originally Posted by missvee

I tried to post a reply in answer to Nick and Jackys post and it ended up about 6 replys along, way out of sinc. Something weird happening here Taffy? I have been demoted too

I know I don't come on here as often, actually thought I would give you all a rest
Vee

Posts usually appear in chronological order and it sometimes happens that other people get in first whilst you're preparing your own post. It's happened to me several times. Looking at the times though, this doesn't seem to tie in with that suggestion. Odd.

What was your title before, Vee? You shouldn't have been demoted as it goes by the number of posts you've made. You may have a different title from the previous forum as the rankings are not the same. You can change your own title if you want by going in to User CP, look under Edit Profile. You'll see something about editing user title. Just put what you want and save it. I had difficulty with mine because my settings weren't right and I couldn't save it, but Taffy put it right for me.

I don't know where you got the impression that we want a rest from you. Quite the opposite, I think . For a start, perhaps you could tell us what the b/f thought of NZ. Has he gone home again now?

[missvee]

Hi MB and Dawn . The B/F has gone back to the UK very reluctantly .he was making plans the whole time he was here, on how he can get back, as quick as possible. The weather was a bonus for him and he loved the food, those pies and the scrummy cakes. If anyone is coming here for the healthy lifestyle, forget it. everyone puts on weight. Unless you extremely health conscious and watch what you eat religiously you will put weight on. it's the good food, the cafe culture and laid back lifestyle. There is an abundance of fresh fruit and veggies which are local, as long as it is in season. Lots of fresh seafood and fish. Has anyone seen the tanks of green lipped mussels in the supermarkets? Does anyone know how to cook them, any good recipes? thats enough about food, now where did I put that bun?

Dawn I bet you are so excited. I can't comment for the rest of NZ but here in Bay of Plenty we are having good weather. Cold in the morning and evening but bright with the sun shining by mid morning. Great for walking on the beach after eating those cakes.

Make sure you pack winter clothes Dawn, coz if your camping out you will need them, especially in the south of the island. Anyone invested in fleecy pyjamas yet?
Vee

[MotherBear]

Originally Posted by missvee

The B/F has gone back to the UK very reluctantly .he was making plans the whole time he was here, on how he can get back, as quick as possible.

Hurray, a result. Looks like you might have company, in time, then. Fingers crossed he can find a way to get down there.

The food......yes, I might find that's a problem when we get down there. I wanted to sample almost everything that stood still long enough, apart from the green-lipped mussles. Saw them in the supermarket, looking dark and sinister, and passed on by quickly. Have I heard Selchie talking about them in the past? Perhaps she knows what to do with them.

I know I've heard others mentioning the fleecy pyjamas on here, so they seem to be THE item to buy.

[Dawn]

I just can't sleep in any type of pyjamas!! Hate it! They get all wrapped round you and restrict your movement and .....oh I just hate it. Don't bother with anything personally. Even on those cold winter nights in our old house (remember the 200 yr old cottage without double glazing) Gary was usually enough to keep me warm! That and a couple of extra blankets thrown on. Didn't dare get out to go to the loo or anything though - would have been wrestling polar bears on the landing!

[kokopeli]

I've been thinking carefully how I might explain this particular dislike because I've no doubt that some people will be mortally offended by what I'm about to say. With that in mind, here goes....


I miss the sheer intensity of a passionate crowd at sporting events. I've been to a few games of rugby at the Jade Stadium now, including the All Blacks -vs - South Africa and the atmosphere has been dismal. No shouting or cheering, no screaming fans. No chants to taunt the opposing fans. Come to think of it, there weren't any opposing fans

All we could hear at the ABs game was the ghetto-bird (police helicopter) as it hovered at 1,000 feet. Compare that to the crowds in Premiership footie, the Six Nations or Grand National where the crowd goes wild and you can't hear yourself think.

I can't explain it. Speak to most Kiwis and they'll rave on about sport without taking a breath. Yet all we got at the Jade Stadium was a couple of feeble Mexican Waves. I've seen more passion in....hmmmm..... better keep that to myself

[Taffy]

Yes, but how many rugby matches you've been to see have resulted in riots, fans seriously injured or killed?!

It must be the atmos down that way, as the crowds go bonkers up here. I've never been to a match, but you can hear them quite clearly from inside your car in the street next to the stadium!

[kokopeli]

Originally Posted by Taffy

you can hear them quite clearly from inside your car in the street next to the stadium!

Ahh yes, but you can hear the crowds at footie matches from miles away in the UK

It might just be a Jade Stadium/Canterbury thing - the crowd on tv at last night's netball seemed to be having a great time.....

[MotherBear]

Just let loose a few female streakers onto the pitch and you'll soon hear the crowds roar.

[Welshgirl]

Hey kokopeli

Don't worry, I'm sure nobody would have been offended at what is, after all, your honest opinion, and no-one is going to tear your head off over it

I've been to two rugby matches since we've been in NZ - both at the Waikato Stadium (one Chiefs game and one All Blacks game) and I also went to many football matches back in the days of supporting Cardiff City In comparison, I would say the crowds in both countries were both as passionate about their teams. Noticeable though, are the different ways of displaying their passion - the footie fans were vocal and enthusiastic to the point of losing control sometimes, more often than not ending in violence (either inside the grounds or outside afterwards). The crowds at the rugby are just as vocal and enthusiastic, but also engage in good-natured mickey-taking which rarely ends in violence. I think it speaks volumes that the opposing teams fans have to be separated at a football match, but in rugby, opposing fans are sat amongst each other and (generally) there is no trouble. It could be argued that certain members of a football crowd are highly vocal purely to wind up the opposite fans and incite the violence they are after, whereas rugby fans shout and sing to show passion and pride..... I believe it matters more about what sort of atmosphere there is, than whether there is one.

Still, I appreciate your point was purely about the atmosphere - that was just my two cents worth on rugby-v-football! The All Blacks match I went to (against Canada, a few weeks ago) was truly awesome, from the pre-match entertainment to the atmosphere amongst the fans - and included the best Mexican wave I have ever seen

I am surprised that you've had a few less-than-excellent experiences, give that rugby is such an institution over here and there is almost a day of mourning if the All Blacks lose! Maybe it's a South Island thing?

[kokopeli]

That's it then, I'll have to go to a game oop north!

I'm pleased that Welshgirl noted that my comment was purely about the atmosphere. When I told our Kiwi neighbour that the atmosphere was a bit flat, he threatened to report me to the authorities and have me deported for daring to criticise the All Blacks! Heaven help us if they do a Team New Zealand in France