Wellington cricket, pies, pints and yet more cricket

 Dear all

Finally we have reached the capital city of New Zealand. I say finally as it seems a little weird to have not been there yet as usually you tend to arrive in the capital before venturing out and about in any place, but having spent the day here I understand why this place could never be a global airline hub. Firstly Wellington is situated in the most difficult place to build - Rome had seven hills, this place has more like seven ranges around it. Secondly the town planners in their infinite wisdom decided to create a green belt rather than parks around the city so huge expansion plans are somewhat quashed. Most of the increased land has been created from reclaimed land in the bay &o that created following the 1855 earthquake over the other side of Mount Victoria. This brings me neatly to my final point which is that Wellington is not only on one fault but eleven although only eight are active! I'm really glad I don't live here especially given what happened in Christchurch on September 4th!

We rose early as Dean was all excited as this was the first of the places we were to visit that he came to three years ago on the Barmy Army cricket tour. Our first stop was the Wellington Basin which is home to the state cricket side and the national cricket museum, which we spent a few hours wondering around, watching the archive tapes & talking to the volunteer guide. I have to say anyone who is a cricket fan this is fantastic place and even if your not there are still enough amusing little anecdotes & funny cartoons wiping fun at the Aussies (!) to keep you amused. Dean had a little reminisce around the ground then we wondered down to the next institution of the city - Trisha's Pies. Dean had been extolling the virtues of these pies since he had been there last time so we couldn't walk by without sampling one & he was right they were yummy - Chicken and mushroom for me and steak and cheese for Dean (not sure about that one!).

Te Papa is the museum of NZ and is absolutely enormous and absolutely free! We spent a good four hours wondering around the place which has a whole host of different and innovative  sections all dedicated to the countries history and culture. The building itself is on prime position on the quay front on reclaimed land and is stunning in its own right. It is known by most Kiwi’s as ‘our place’. Completely pooped we ‘retired’ to the Feathers pub, which Dean frequented on his last visit, unfortunately it is now a swanky wine bar & the Manager had moved on, so we moved to the Irish pub across the road & watched the ODI between NZ & Pakistan, which NZ won very convincingly.  On our way back to the van we called in at the Four Kings, where Geordie the bar manager from the Feathers had moved, but he had the night off (hope to catch him on the way back next month) so we left him a little note.

I’m not sure whether I like Wellington or not yet, but it was voted the coolest capital city in the world by Lonely Planet so will give it some thought over the next five weeks and get back to you when we come back.

Nite all