Masterton....

With lots of fun activities each day we found ourselves waking up the to the last morning we would spend in Wellington before leaving for the South Island. In planning for the family we had repeatedly said that it would be fun to take them to a rugby game. Since moving to Wellington we've started following the professional team based here in town: the Hurricanes. And while the season hadn't technically started we were able to pick up tickets to take in a preseason match about 1.5 hours north of Wellington in the town of Masterton. So that morning Tim and I woke up early and bused out to the airport. I know it sounds strange but that's where our rental car was waiting for us. Arriving without incident we drove back into town and since we had a vehicle for the first time ever in Wellington we made the rounds and picked up our gift from the family for serving as tour guides, drivers and cooks: our very own BBQ! We had been looking around for the right one to sit on our little patio and settled on a smallish model, picked up the propane tank and the essential grilling tools. Then we zipped home and unloaded the goods before driving back to the rental house. There we met up with some of our friends from school. With everyone organized we loaded up the two vehicles and set off in our little caravan heading north out of town and into the countryside. Since we rarely leave Wellington proper it's always fun and different to see NZ from a car window.

The narrow highway took us up through a mountain range called the Rumatakas. The views were beautiful but the ride wasn't the most comfortable as you're skirting around switchbacks, narrow sections and places where the guard rails are more suggestions than anything else.

But thanks to our unflappable drivers (Tim and Phil) we soon arrived in Masterton and starting to scout out a place to park. Then after slathering on the sunscreen and donning our jerseys we set off with the throngs of similarly clad fans heading towards the gates. After get our tickets scanned we toted our camping chairs to one side of the field and set up camp. It turned out to be a great place to sit and take in the action.

The game was an exciting match up against the Auckland Blues. I spent most of the game trying to remember all the rules and explain them to Landy as he asked questions about what was happening on the field. I think I was able to remember most of them. :)

In the end the Hurricanes came through with a victory!! After the game we hopped the fence and went out onto the field where we got a couple additional autographs on our jerseys from Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett. Oh yeah!

With happy excitement from the win and meeting the players we headed back to the cars. From there we back tracked through the mountains and into Wellington. I have to admit I was a little sad when we had to return the rental car as it seemed so luxurious to be able to zip around town and haul goodies home. That night Tim was anxious to put the BBQ together but instead we spent some time doing laundry and packing for what would begin phase two of the trip. We were headed off to the South Island!