Bev and I entered the Auckland Marathon this year, unfortunately Bev developed an injury near the end of the training and changed to the 1/4 Marathon instead. We've been training only for the past 4 months rather than entering events, but now this Marathon is over we've planned several events for the summer.

The first half is very hilly, around Devonport on the North Shore of Auckland, then it's over the Harbour Bridge, through the City and then out and back along the bays. The weather was cloudy and warm, with occasional rain and a head wind for the 1st 10K of the 2nd half of the run. It started at 6.30am which meant a 4.30am Ferry across the Harbour. There's 10,750 entrants across the whole event which includes 1/2 and 1/4 Marathons and a 5km walk. Excellent organisation and good support considering it was early on a Sunday on a cloudy and humid day!

The 1/4 Marathon is 10.5km, I listed it like that cos for bev the extra 500m makes all the difference!

Is that a Union Jack or a distress signal on Andy's chest.

Anyway, next run, Around the Bridges here in Hamilton, a 12km run along and across the Waikato River.

I've entered London, we may be back for a vsiit over April whatever the outcome of that, then we'll probably be returning January '09 when our Visas expire.

And yes, it was excellent being here for the world Cup. We now know the meaning of national mourning. The Kiwis were so confident they would win, a book had been written, "How we won the World Cup 2007" and was ready to go to print. There was a man on the TV who had a tattoo on his thigh " All Blacks, winners 2007"! Moron!!

My boss is a South African, so it was inetersting here on final day.

Still, the way we saw it was we were winners anyway, we got further than them and they still maintain they're the best in the World!

All the best for now. Say hi to anyone who cares! Andy