Welcome to your RWC 2011 blog

One day to the off. The big event for NZ starts with the hosts having a big hit out with Tonga. There is a level of anxiety in the country I think, with the risk of failure in the background and the recent losses to Australia and SA.

The flags are in the steets and people are chattering more about the imminent action. My workplaces are being dressed up with regalia. Tomorrow I have to wear items of the countries I support to work.

At home Sara has bought the flags to hang from the windows: New Zealand, England, Ireland and we have adopted Tonga.

Meanwhile, England have adopted Samoa:

Keep watching.

Sunday sees me and Joe go to the stadium to watch SA and Wales. Who will I be supporting? “Well, I’ve never met a nice……….” (sing along!)

Cultural performance at St. Mary’s

This event occured a little while ago, but I overlooked posting the details.

The evening included the pupils performing across a number of activities. The school orchestra played as did the  jazz band. Shakesperian  drama was part of the programme. The finale was a dance production of the Wizard of Oz. It  was well done particualrly with the cuts to the film soundtrack.
Eleanr had her part as the good witch of the north.

An for the action watch this excerpt:

Health and social inequalities-the big man speaks

The New Zealand Medical Association seems to have had a “road to Damascus” experience (re St. Paul-see Gospel according to Luke for those not in the know!). Iy has discovered health inequalities and invited Michael Marmot , international researcher of renown,to come to NZ for a few days.

An invigorating afternoon. I obviously knew most of the facts presented but the success she reports in other parts of the world increases one’s optimism and encourages a more positive outlook. “A fairer society, healthier lives” is what it is all about.

The Minister of Health opened proceedings, bit being part of the conservative and non-interventionist tendency his answer was all about increasing the economic pie before anything could be afforded-same old-same old.