The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
Yesterday included seeing a film early after work; the first of our New Zealand International Film Festival excursions.
The Party was appreciated more by SQ and EQ than me. A play in film format showed the various selfish and unpleasant characters and their interrelationship. Despite fine acting, an interesting format and clever twists it did not grab me.
Plenty more to come.
The negotiations do not appear to have a clear pathway or desired outcomes as far as the British government as concerned. It seems to be an acknowledged truth that the EU negotiating team are better organised and clearer on the requirements of the process and ‘red lines’- and in the dominant position.
The cartoon below from the Telegraph explains the latest UK version of expectations with a desired transition phase. The announcement was made by the Chancellor rather than by May after more confused position statements from different ministers in the preceding days.
A few more surprises in the team than expected maybe. Maybe risk attached.
Warren Gatland’s five big calls for the Lions’ first Test against All Blacks
Gerard Meagher
So Joe Sara and l are here for game one.
After a good win against the Maori NZ team last week and a solid performance and win against a weakened Chiefs team, we arrive with confidence of at least a competitive match ahead.
So a rushed get away from work to the airport yesterday then with a bit of a delay. A long trip on the bus from Auckland airport was followed by a good meal at an Israeli restaurant. Something different but good.
Now fun and shopping today before the Warriors game.
A successful run for the two athletes. Eleanor improved her personal best and Sven ran a decent time despite a lack training.
Tomorrow is the ‘fourth test’-that is how the game against the NZ Maori is usually described. And certainly the Lions came a cropper against them in 2005.
As ever the Lions needs a win, particularly having lost on Tuesday to the Highlanders by a point. It was a game that they were expected to win against a depleted Highlanders team that had players withdrawn as they were on All Blacks call-up and because of injuries.
The Highlanders game was a marked contrast to the Crusaders game- open and attacking. The lions played well in parts but worryingly continue to fail to finish off scoring chances. They also failed to control the game when in the lead mostly I think due to poor discipline and the giving away of penalties.Weaknesses exist and I do not know if they can be overcome.
Last Saturday the Lions beat the form Super team with a power display with very effective defense. Maybe some things went their way that night.
The NZ Maori are full of some very good players. Of note, Matt Procter, currently playing for the Hurricanes and ex-St Pats Boy.
Our annual trip to the Opera last night to see Carmen b
y the NZ Opera.
We have seen Carmen before, Sara at least twice and once for me. It is certainly a classic and so expectations were a little high. Unfortunately expectations were not met. The production seemed a little quiet and flat and the male lead did not seem to make the connection with us and possibly the rest of the audience. The applause at the end was polite rather than enthusiastic. A review in the Dom Post concurred overall.
So quite an expensive night out without reaching the heights. That is always the risk I suppose.
Let’s hope for greater success for the next cultural event.
Now, having suffered the almost unthinkable ignominy of losing the majority she seemed certain to extend, Ms May’s first response shifted from the inane to the delusional. Speaking in Downing Street, the catchphrase morphed this time into “safe and secure”, and she repeated the need for “certainty”. She spoke about an agenda “for the next five years”, as though her position in the role were guaranteed beyond the next five weeks. There was no humility, no good grace; the Prime Minister seemed frankly divorced from reality. Not until she appeared for a second time, apologising to the MPs who had lost their seats, and offering contrite assurance that she will “reflect on what happened”, did Ms May show any sign that she understands the startling reverses her party has suffered.
Let us hope that such reflection helps the Prime Minister understand the crushing changes that have come thick and fast since that exit poll stunned us all. There has been no sign so far of any reassessment of her approach to hard Brexit, yet surely even this leader will struggle to pass off such a humiliating result as a mandate for her confrontational, uncompromising attitude to Europe, or of her willingness to take the UK out of the single market.