Author: telboy2

Football World Cup

The football world cup as hit New Zealand and we have been part of the action. The U-20 world cup that is.

No representation from England of course.

Joe and I did go to see a couple of games a group game between Argentina who were at that point one of the favourites and Ghana. That was a good game with great skill on display. Ghana went 3-0 up and Argentina came back to 3-2 in the last ten minutes looking like they may take an unexpected point from the game. Ghana were the better team and played fast, running, attacking football. Some fine talent on display.

It came to pass that Argentina went out t this stage and Ghana in the round of sixteen.

We also watched the Wellington hosted quarter final between Senegal and Uzbekistan. Not such great quality and I wondered all through the game how these two had progressed. A turgid game  with a lower level of skill on display than the previous viewing. Senegal won deservedly but I cannot see them beating Brazil.

No more games in wellington. The semis are in Christchurch and  Auckland and the final in Auckland too. The crowds were not great; 5+ thousand for the first game and 10+ for the quarter-final, and the latter with lots of kids.

I don’t think the tournament has set alight the Kiwi public. Not that I have seen anyway.

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Roaring Forties – wellington : Comedy Festival

An alternative night out on a Friday. The first time in a few years that I have seen live comedy and almost a hark back to student life to see a comedian in a small venue. Almost back to Tooting, Balham or the Jongleurs in Clapham.

We have seen Ed on he telly in one place or other and so there was value in seeking out the live experience. A trip for 4; the older Quirkes went off to Hannahs. Again just to go to a small theatre made for a little enlightenment.

I enjoyed the evening-I laughed. Mrs Q rather a lot.

 

Maybe a prod to do more of the same

ANZAC morning

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It is ANZAC morning.

We did not make it to the Dawn Parade, this year held at the new memorial park at the National Memorial, Pukeahu. We were concerned about the popularity this year and the feasibility of being anywhere close. Seeing the coverage on the tv this morning, it was packed, and possibly a sensible decision. Images from this morning are here.

The ceremony was moving to watch even in the the comfort of the armchair. The choir had boys from St. Pats in it as well as students from other Wellington schools.

The television schedules are full of ANZAC related programmes and later the NRL will have a very sporting flavour. Currently watching a history of the planning and implementation of the invasion.

I very briefly heard a comment from an historian on Maori TV that commented on the current popularity of attendance at ceremonies. In comparison to the 75th anniversary, when attendances were low, the current commemorations have been embraced by the country. This is I think reflected in the interest of WW1 elsewhere and an apparent greater connection of the younger world with the events, history and their significance. A more romantic and idealistic view of history without the now reality of the participants being long gone or nearly gone for WW2?

 

 

 

ANZAC 2015

The important national event is fast appearing and given it is the 100th anniversary the interest is that much greater this year.

Here is an excerpt from the Guardian:

Princes and prime ministers are in Turkey to mark 100 years since the disastrous campaign that became a cornerstone of Anzac pride

 
A British soldier pays his respects at the grave of a colleague
A British soldier pays his respects at the grave of a colleague near Cape Helles, where British and French troops landed. Photograph: PA

Prince Charles and Prince Harry will join heads of state and dignitaries from more than 70 countries in Turkey on Friday and Saturday for a series of commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of arguably the most ill-conceived, poorly led and, ultimately, senseless campaign of the first world war.

In nine months of bloody slaughter, about 58,000 allied soldiers – including 29,000 British and Irish soldiers and 11,000 Australians and New Zealanders – lost their lives during the ill-starred operation to take the Gallipoli peninsula; a further 87,000 Ottoman Turkish troops died fiercely defending their homeland, and at least 300,000 more on both sides were seriously wounded.

 

Good Friday

A long weekend lays ahead. Currently enjoying a slow start to the day although the virus in my throat being somewhere else would be nice. Reflective parts will ensue with church and Malvina Major duty.

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Family time and fun along the way. Walks, exercise and laughs with the boys. No egg hunt this year?