Ta muchly Bev-errrrr-leeeeeee. I'm sure we will get a special bottle of something (I'm thinking Signature Range Lemonade) and drink to your good fortune and health.

Annie, did we have a prize for boobies? A well deserved winner, and you came second place in the sweepstake, it must be your lucky day.

I would like to add another $50 to the pot. I think we are still bringing along our own booze, put the pot should cover the extra's like vodka jellies, nibbles and a special bottle of somefink. Carlton Gore is readying itself for you all.

Have a great weekend y'all

We love Bev, We love Bev!
Bev has donated her rugby world cup winnings to the Halston Household, needless to say what's ours is yours, well kinda!
I suggest we save it for the Carols in the Park night and have a good ol p*** up!
And what the hell! I'll throw my booby second prize in too, so thats $100 in the pot!
Bring it on!

: )

Anyone who wants to say thx to Bev - bevshakeshaft@hotmail.com
Drop her a line!

I got this joke today, and as all the rest have been about the AB's I thought you may appreciate it.. :-P

A guy walks into a bar with a dachshund under his arm. The dog is wearing England rugby jersey and is festooned with England pom-poms. The bartender says, "Hey! No pets are allowed! You'll have to leave.
" The guy begs him, "Look, I'm desperate! We're both big fans, the TV's broken at home, and this is the only place around where we can see the game." After securing a promise that the dog will behave, and warning him that he and the dog will be thrown out if there's any trouble, the tender relents and allows them to stay in the bar and watch the game.
The big game begins with the poms receiving the kickoff. They march down field, get stopped at the 22, and kick a penalty goal. Suddenly, the dog jumps up on the bar and begins walking up and down the bar giving high-fives to everyone.
The bartender says, "Wow, that is the most amazing thing I've ever seen! What does the dog do if they score a try?" The owner replies, "I don't know, I've only had him for three years."

Well Done and Congratulations. Twas a good Victory

Screw me sideways with a bargepole...we actually won.

Atmosphere back in 'Good 'Ole Blighty' is a bit mad - people keep on going on about '66, as if that's got anything to do with it. Obviously, peeps are on a high. I couldn't stop grinning all yesterday. Perfect finish by Jonny...and we've done it.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Who's up for a bit of Go Karting?
Weekend 13/14th December
(Pete, Kat, Jamie and Jo's last week end in God's own country - Sniff!)

Depends who you ask, Adster...and seeing as you're in NZ, I'd have thought you knew better than that! I object to being labelled a 'poor winner' by anyone from NZ or Oz at the present time, given their penchant for Pom-bashing. I'll gloat at your media - but not at your teams. I'd like to think I recognise good play & appreciate it!

I'm in shock at the events of the weekend. I didn't watch the ABs v Oz, being on a train for 7 hours (oh what joy). When my Dad texted me the full-time score I was certain he must be mistaken.

I watched the England v France game in a bit of a daze, having been out in Edinburgh 'til 4am. As Mike says, it may have been boring rugby, but it suited the conditions...and we won without looking half as shaky as the previous games. 'Nuff said.

Aside from that, the weekend was top. Partied Saturday night 'til 4 with Rach & her mates, then the wedding on Sunday was fantastic. The venue was amazing - Dalhousie castle, about 20 mins out of Edinburgh, and I caught up with a fair few people I hadn't seen for ages. Made it back to the B&B for midnight, and today I've spent another 7 hours on the train. I'm knackered, and tomorrow I drive to Nottingham & back for my Grandmother's funeral.

Don't feel particularly rested, somehow.

Laters,

Matt

IT'S ONLY A GAME!!!!

Well well well.....

What's that taste?........ That be humble pie all right, and it don't be tastin no good at all.

I thought I should get in first before Matt sends me to the sword.

I must admit the AB's played like shit. If you miss that amount of tackles and make that many mistakes at this level, you are always gonna lose. Not taking anything away from the Aussies, they played one of the most complete games I have seen.

I did however watch the Pommy - Frog game..... and as predicted, what a BORING game, my god... The rugby was crap, I know it is winning rugby, but come on... as you well know I am very much a fan of try's and having a crack, and winning in style - but If you live by the sword u must also die by it..... which we did.

Now for this week, I will not comment on 3rd and 4th as it does not deserve recognition. (great losers us kiwi's)

However I have VERY mixed opinions as to where (if any) my loyalties shall lie. I have always backed two teams the AB's and any team playing Aussie, however I Hate the French (after our last cup debacle) but found myself supporting them in my dismal state. I don't know if I could handle Smug Poms, they are worse winners than us (especially Matt ) and the boring rugby they play. The more I contemplate the two the more it hurts. The aussies cant win three cup's, we would never live it down, but at least they attack the line....

5 min pause (with finger pointing up side of face, denoting thinking in body language terms)

I am still unable to declare an allegiance.... I may update this during the week, or wait until the match and see who is playing the more exciting rugby (not up on the board) and reserve my judgment till then.

Yours in dismay and disbelief

Mike

It's Friday, it's Friday..............Yay 4 us!!!!

My God what a prick of a day......but as it is Friday I will drink all my troubles away - till Monday.

Pity I don't work in a brewery, although I don't think it would be such a good idea as I would considerably shortern my life expectancy. People can be soooo difficult, y don't they just do as I tell them and every1 would be much better off.

well must be off.......can see me going off for a couple of quiets if I can find a companion or 2.

=P

Har de har, my Antipodean friend.

As I pointed out to my old boss at ANZ, the Samoans would probably have beaten us - if NZ hadn't nicked half their talent! Think on that when we crush you in the Final :-P

Work is dull & straining - having to use brain for first time in over a year! Nevertheless, it looks promising, plus the great thing about working for a brewery is the amount of freebies you get. My boss is currently blagging as much kit (such as watches, glasses, rugby shirts, t-shirts) as possible off our Marketing department and our 'Guest Ale' breweries for the 'staff raffle'. There's only 8 of us in the team - we're gonna be loaded! And let's not forget the beer vouchers the companie's giving us for Xmas...so it's all good.

My prediction for the rugby...

ABs 32
Oz 15

England 24
France 20

My reasoning - ABs have too much class any which way for the 'whinging Aussies' (a title they deserve far more than us!) and will pummel them into the ground. England v France is a v.tough call. We're back on full strength for the first time since Georgia and the French haven't played any hard games yet. But they will. Oh yes, they will...

My weekend coming is looking manic - Sat travel up to Edinburgh, dump bags at a B&B, straight out again for Rachel's birthday party. Some of you may remember her - Scottish girl with dreads who stayed at Bamber then headed off to Wellington. Sunday is the wedding of 2 friends of mine at Dalhousie Castle - which looks well nice! And then Monday it's straight back home, before me Gran's funeral up in Nottingham on the Tuesday. So I doubt I'll watch any rugby - no texts on Sunday, please, I'll be in church!!

Au revoir.

Afternoon all,

Since you have all been so slack, and not been a bloggin I thought I should share another weekend story and wind you all up about the Rugby (As the Ab's are gonna smash you all, we goin all the way!! - The Pom's wont even beat the Froggs, and would have to be worried after they were out scored 3 try's to 1 by the Waking Dragon.)

Ok back to my weekend, well it was actually only fri night. - was tooo sore for the rest of the weekend

We had our work ball, picture this....... 600 people most as extroverted as me, most lovin piss as much as me, with unlimited bubbles all night long (or beer etc if ya like). So it started off quite well I was all dressed up like a penguin - looking smashing of course - get to the door and meet up a few people from my office, grab my first glass of bubbles and head inside... the yarning and drinking continued for about 1 hour, until we were all asked to take our seats for the awards ceremony. We then had swordfish as an entree and followed by more bubbles, then the night starts to drag on dinner was at about 10pm, by this stage most ppl had decided that food didn't sound too good and that eating was cheating. We all continued drinking and then a bit of dancing came into the fold, the music was a bit 80's but instead of a band we had a full blown orchestra, and a couple of singers - pretty sweet. Then in fine company tradition the waiters come out with large glass bowls half full of ice, each having a full bottle of Cointreau on top. Take the contents of the bottle pour all said contents into ice and place in centre of table for the participants to drink, this is an excellent way to top off the bubbles - so now the night is getting interesting.

We all dance and talk shit for a few more hours, with everyone starting to lose their wheels - Big Time.

Then the lovely Admin Girls from town have the exceptional idea of going to town, so we all jump in Maxi Taxi's and head off to the Viaduct. We end up at Soul Bar, and have a drink, but I hate that place so head off down to spy bar. Now this is a bit more my style, excellent Doof Doof, good ppl and great company. So we PARTIED there until I gave up and crawled out at about 7.30 am. If you want further detail you will have to ask as some are classified.

Went back to Halston Rd, crashed for a few hours and went back home to recover, I assumed my recovery position of bean bag upon mattress in front of Telly and watched vids. Stayed there floating in and out of consciousness until The rugby, proceeded to watch the AB's smash the Bock's, then crashed out. Did about the same on Sun, then watched the semi-mighty waking Dragon almost upset the pom's. Would have paid to see that.

So Rugby prediction.......

All Blacks 43

Aussie 23

----------------------

France 35

Poms either 9 or 12 or 15 or 18 maybe 21
fucken exciting rugby that.

Bring It on!!!!!

How's work Matt - back in the real world - gutted - not as gutting as watching England Lose

Tum te tum te tum...

*sigh*

Ever so boring here at the mo...but start new job tomorrow - huzzah!!!

Lots of things lined up for me over the next few weeks, by the looks of things...wedding up in Edinburgh, RAF Ball in N.Wales...possible date with a Scots lass...friend from Thailand coming over from the States...errm...sure there's more....oh yes, vast amounts of inebrieation as England progress majestically through & win the rugby :-P

Au revoir!

Taupo Weekend....
Hamish has come up with the fine idea of Bring a Bottle - with a slight twist.... It would be nice if everyone bought a nice/interesting bottle of wine - maybe some cheese.... so we can have a civilised sup whilst watching the rugby on Saturday night!
You'll need to bring towels and Duners, if you need direction give me a shout.

The Resident One!