Kiwi World Cup roadshow begins to roll

10 o'clock was the scheduled arrival time for all the team members at the NZC Pavilions. It was an interesting experience trying to pack for the next six weeks and it seemed kinda strange taking so much stuff out when home was just 30 minutes away.

Once we settled into our rooms and started the redecorating process we were issued with some of our casual clothing for the next 6 weeks - very nice. Following a quick "try on" we scoffed a packed lunch and piled into the mini vans for the 90-minute journey north to Hanmer Springs.

What an unbelievable venue! If teams and visitors to Christchurch get the chance to drive through to Hanmer during the World Cup, they should. Picturesque mountains, outstanding weather, a multitude of outdoor adventure activities, wineries and cafes dotted along the journey and of course the legendary hot pools.

Most of the afternoon involved team meetings and activities and the evening provided an opportunity for some team members to display their culinary skills via the team BBQ.

Emily (Drumm) and Kate (Pulford) got things going while Bill (Haidee Tiffen), Deb (Hockley) and I preferred to make endless trips to the cabin to defrost the chicken satays - stick by stick - eventually things were under way and the team BBQ was a huge success. Whilst many stayed on to clean up the aftermath and indulge in a few slip catches with an unsuspecting satay the others hit the pools for a very pleasant and relaxing evening.