........Ka mate, ka mate ka ora......

Charlotte has become a fan of a sport....and of one team in particular...especially their pre-match routine............that's right...the New Zealand All Blacks and their haka!

Up at 4.00 this morning........dressed....crept downstairs......coffee into an insulated cup....and off to deliver my photos and say Das vidanya to my Russian friends......it's amazing how many people are about at 4.30 on a Sunday morning!

Got to the hotel at 4.45.......freezing cold...and they appeared outside at 4.50....hugs. kisses, handshakes, email addresses exchanged...and bang on 5.00 Lisa arrived with the mini bus...they all piled in with their luggage...........more goodbyes....and at 5.15 they drove away...leaving me waving.

Wide awake....so called at McD's for breakfast....it's amazing how many people are in McD's at 5.30 on a Sunday morning. Took breakfast home with me....ate...and then snoozed in the chair for a couple of hours.

The Boss rose from the pit....the Daughter appeared.....a spot of finishing off from last night's major construction....and then the S & H, YH and Charlie turned up.....lunch....a trip to the tip....and then an afternoon of sport......Ireland v All Blacks....not happy with the result....and then Cardiff v United....even less happy with the result.

Dinner....they've gone now....I'm pooped...and I'm due out in 30 mins for a beer with D........and then it's back to the grindstone tomorrow......only 4 weeks to the Christmas hols.

Das vidanya moy padruga.