tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18054319039803834112024-03-06T02:53:20.138+00:00In my opinion......My own ramblings, thoughts and experiences.
Hope to enlighten and entertain.
Mostly travel, photography and rugby related with a fair bit of nonsense thrown in too.Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-55433632684897995552012-01-01T13:32:00.000+00:002012-01-01T13:32:38.775+00:00My XV of 2011.<span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Here is my pick of the best XV of 2011. These are my favourite players of their position throughout the entire of 2011 from all domestic championships to Six/Tri nations to the RWC. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1.Martin Castrogiovanni </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Was always devastating in the scrum. Makes no difference whether it's for </span><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leicester</span></place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> or </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Italy</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> he's a real weapon in the tight spaces. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Mahonri Schwalger</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hugely passionate. I went to two </span><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Samoa</span></place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> games this year and it was a great atmosphere. They really play for the fans and this guy leads from the front. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">3. Cian Healy</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Most notable performance for me was the RWC clash with </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Australia</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Very powerful in the scrum and very mature for such a young age. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">4. James Horwill</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Hugely influential during the Red's triumphant Super 15 season and transferred this leadership to captain his country. Thrown in at the deep end on the eve of the championship yet handled the huge responsibility and honour as if he'd been doing it years. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">5. Brad Thorn</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">I literally bumped into him in NZ, a huge guy with a huge presence. 36 years old yet still covering the yards. A real work horse for NZ. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">6. Jerome Kaino</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Loved watching him play for the Blues. During the RWC was immensely physical smashing every tackle. Carried this physicality through the whole 80 minutes of every game. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">7. Sam Warburton</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Another new captain of 2011. Very mature and lead from the front. Really summed up this </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wales</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> approach, young, fresh and fit - very fit. Very talented and gets my vote for the Lion's captaincy. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">8. Sergio Parisse</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Italy</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">'s main man. So passionate and full of talent. Has the handling skills of a back. Great leader. </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Italy</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> suffer when he's missing. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">9. Will Genia</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Instrumental for both the Reds and the Wallabies. A key play maker and sensible decision maker. Really steers his forwards and puts his back line in the right position. Indispensable to </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Australia</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">10. Quade Cooper.</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't like the word 'Mercurial', I prefer unpredictable - admittedly sometimes even for his own team! I absolutely love watching him play. He is so exciting to watch and I think that's great for the modern game. He's the back line wizard and his partnership with Genia steered the Reds to victory. Not a great RWC to remember but his Reds and Tri Nations championships were fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">11. George North</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Another 'freak' like Lomu. A huge (literally) contrast to Shane Williams style but that doesn't stop him finding the try line. Jumped from regional rugby to International and for someone 19 years old at the time handled it with ease. A huge future ahead. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">12. Jamie Roberts</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">A very powerful centre. Always guaranteed to break the gain line. I went to see him play at the Wales/Samoa RWC match and he flattened some of the Samoan back line, not something that is easily done. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">13. Manu Tuilagi</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Was one of those 'where has he been all this time' kind of players. Just what </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">England</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> needed fast, powerful and a finisher. Has had some discipline issues but I would assume/hope they will get stop as he gets older. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">14. Chris Ashton</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">One of the hugely successful code converts. Already a prolific try scorer. Top try scorer in both the Six Nations and RWC says it all. Saw him play against </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Italy</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> in this years Six Nations and perform his ' Swallow Dive' - another player I enjoy watching. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">15. Kurtley Beale</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Such a threat to opposition in both International and Super 15. Constantly looking to attack. Very safe under the high ball and always backs himself when chasing his own kick. </span><country-region><place><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Australia</span></place></country-region><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> missed him during his injury at the RWC. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">For many it was a very tight to call. 2011 was such a great year for rugby with so much class on display. This s my best of the rest:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Forwards</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Adam Jones</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Alex Corbisiero</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sean O'Brian</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Imanol Harinordoquy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Courtney Lawes</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jacques Burger </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David Pocock</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richie Mccaw.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Backs</span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">James O'Connor, </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><country-region><place><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Israel</span></place></country-region><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Dagg</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Brown</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rhys Priestland,</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elton Jantjies</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SBW,</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ma'a Nonu</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial;">Anthony Faingaa</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-78421850112981013432011-12-14T18:12:00.000+00:002011-12-14T18:12:18.310+00:00Doggy Baths.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It great going for a long walk with the dogs it clears the cobwebs and stretches the legs. What isn't so great is cleaning the dogs afterwards. Somehow they always manage to come back looking and smelling like they've rolled in horse dung. Now my dogs HATE the bath, one will try and escape at every opportunity whilst the other just sits there looking miserable as if hes being tortured. Here are the steps I take to ensure bath-time goes as smoothly as possible.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbU-sbbH0YTvjUinKVRWTYstY7XB4OLu_cIiMJ0t0EzDl_3jq9b-cc9HlyOBNnamjF9i5W8Jeia6vg6fRJwDhI68Nkvn3iSbK6ZOKQlBYvWANn_mGAx5xVr2dRiIeO4N9noVkD3LwtA/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbU-sbbH0YTvjUinKVRWTYstY7XB4OLu_cIiMJ0t0EzDl_3jq9b-cc9HlyOBNnamjF9i5W8Jeia6vg6fRJwDhI68Nkvn3iSbK6ZOKQlBYvWANn_mGAx5xVr2dRiIeO4N9noVkD3LwtA/s320/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVbU-sbbH0YTvjUinKVRWTYstY7XB4OLu_cIiMJ0t0EzDl_3jq9b-cc9HlyOBNnamjF9i5W8Jeia6vg6fRJwDhI68Nkvn3iSbK6ZOKQlBYvWANn_mGAx5xVr2dRiIeO4N9noVkD3LwtA/s1600/photo+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Firstly I distract the dogs with promises of walkies and a new chew. Luckily for me they are slightly dim witted and would follow me to the ends of the earth. Its only when I've got them in the bathroom do they give me the<i> 'I trusted you, how could you do this to me' </i>eyes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once I have a dog in the tub its a 2 person job. One to hold/comfort whilst the other shampoos. One has to ignore the puppy dog eyes and get on with it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would recommend wearing an old shirt to do this as I often end up as wet as the dogs!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When finished all the dog wants to do is the old shake 'N' dry. Not something my bathroom agrees with so its now a wrestle to get them wrapped in a towel and carry them into the garden to dry off.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It wasn't all lies, both now have a bone as a treat for being well behaved :-)</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And they can enjoy them drying off in-front of the fire!</span></div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-20224074976531091542011-12-11T23:06:00.000+00:002011-12-11T23:06:05.480+00:00The Rugby World Cup 2011: A fan’s perspective.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXziNfGqPRqtQq-4-D_oFqXUlIJyi94vKSjdtZaH-0aFJx-1TwEowlkcf0DKDFH9zo40as_UR8fipqVQ_l_vZ-aL4f5d3I0YhgD8IxeernhxXHWsmQ12psTqMi1qMng0bYdpY-0FZnJFo/s1600/IMG_0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXziNfGqPRqtQq-4-D_oFqXUlIJyi94vKSjdtZaH-0aFJx-1TwEowlkcf0DKDFH9zo40as_UR8fipqVQ_l_vZ-aL4f5d3I0YhgD8IxeernhxXHWsmQ12psTqMi1qMng0bYdpY-0FZnJFo/s320/IMG_0639.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">There was no way I was missing this world cup! Even if it meant bankruptcy, which luckily it didn't, I would be there. I had always wanted to go to New Zealand and having a huge love for rugby I saw it as a perfect opportunity to do both.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Now to get to NZ from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> you’re looking at <b>20+</b> hours of flight time. There are several different routes all depending on which airline you fly with however there are no direct flights. I flew via the <st1:place w:st="on">Middle East</st1:place>, stopping in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dubai</st1:place></st1:city> and then <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brunei</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Each flight lasted around 8 hours with about an hour or two in-between each one. My total travel time was something like 32 hours, from leaving my house to arriving at my hostel. I have no idea how many time zones you cross flying to NZ but it really isn’t easy on the body – I arrived in Auckland with the bloodshot eyes of a raging alcoholic and hair that would give any scarecrow a run for their money! As for tips on how to handle jetlag I just try to power through it, sticking to my usual routines and timings – despite this for the first few days I was still naturally waking by <st1:time hour="6" minute="0" w:st="on">6am</st1:time>!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Due to work commitments I could only take 3 weeks for my trip. When you combine this with the flight times and consider how much there is to see out there I had a lot to fit in. When over there I had three RWC tickets taking me from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Auckland</st1:place></st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dunedin</st1:place></st1:city> and back. NZ has a brilliant infrastructure and so getting about is relatively easy especially with companies such as <b>Intercity</b> and <b>Naked Bus</b>. There are passes that vary according to how many stops or trips you need and all for a reasonable price – for my 2 week pass including <b>5 trips</b> I paid around <b>NZ$160</b>. The drivers were very helpful and also acted as great tour guides when driving. Getting from island to island is also very easy with regular ferries and flights. You can book just about anything from bus passes to day trips from one of the <b>I-Sites</b> (Tourist Information Office) located in every city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS00dg1RXzu315_flL1RwqhPjG-CyQmUp01kz2Wj4DavFHTkpiUwMfqFH06GCRaEJeWs-yprvL3xyKFFdY02xOeuFEdghI-niWn6Xh6wdEHb9obU-KXPWE_beDTd6kse82pDF3mFdx-uI/s1600/IMG_0888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS00dg1RXzu315_flL1RwqhPjG-CyQmUp01kz2Wj4DavFHTkpiUwMfqFH06GCRaEJeWs-yprvL3xyKFFdY02xOeuFEdghI-niWn6Xh6wdEHb9obU-KXPWE_beDTd6kse82pDF3mFdx-uI/s320/IMG_0888.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">What really attracted me to NZ was the rugby culture down there. When I say they live, eat and breathe rugby I'm not exaggerating. It’s great to see a country so supportive and passionate about their team. As soon as I arrived in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Auckland</st1:place></st1:city> I was greeted by Richie McCaw’s face staring down at me from every billboard in the city. Every business and shop had some form of poster showing their support for the All Blacks. Every restaurant had photos showing an All Black had eaten there previously. I really got the impression that the whole country was backing the team. Something a local said to me sums up their attitude, <i>‘If aliens landed tomorrow they would struggle to figure out who was more popular, Jesus or Dan Carter’.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">There is no better atmosphere than that found on game day- and that goes for any sport. I love the sense of anticipation you feel waiting for kick off. Hundreds of thousands of people descended on NZ for the World Cup, and for those without match day tickets the <b>Fan Zones</b> were a great alternative. Most cities had one, an area with beer tents, entertainment and giant communal screens so fans could watch the game together. For me the RWC was simply a chance to watch world class rugby. It goes without saying that I had an <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> match ticket however I also had tickets to see <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on">Samoa</st1:place> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I was there to see the global spectacle, to support the game of rugby itself, then my team. I wasn’t alone in this, my first game, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> vs. <st1:place w:st="on">Samoa</st1:place>, I had an American on one side of me and a Japanese man on the other – not something I’ve experienced at Twickenham! There was always a positive atmosphere, no home or away fans just people there to enjoy themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">One thing that did surprise me was the number of opportunities to meet the teams. At the end of the day the players are travelling too, they are based in whichever city their next game is in and obviously can’t stay in their hotel room all the time. I was very fortunate, I bumped into the All Blacks in Nandos, I met <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> outside their hotels, I met some <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region> players in a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:place></st1:city> store, walked past the Fijian squad at the airport and to top it off met some of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region> team in Starbucks! As a fan travelling all that way, meeting your heroes and the players you look up to is really rewarding and really made my trip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rugby</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> aside, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region> is a fantastic place to visit. The scenery is spectacular and the people are some of the friendliest and most chilled out your ever likely to meet. The most popular way to travel is to hire a campervan and then do your own thing. I was slightly more restricted and had a schedule to stick therefore missed out on some of the sights – Waitomo Caves, Fox Glacier and Milford Sound to name a few!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MNO7_k_FqIlhum3C3Gw7p6O4YX3nBNE-SpJFAProalwU8M06Eu9bxaf8gNcv8lead2nKY_1u1kZl84RaM5AYUVVZCeEdxa2SOb5gDhizB0RigGiqxljFA34EhDZbO7QvPTStn4i6Fv4/s1600/IMG_4067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MNO7_k_FqIlhum3C3Gw7p6O4YX3nBNE-SpJFAProalwU8M06Eu9bxaf8gNcv8lead2nKY_1u1kZl84RaM5AYUVVZCeEdxa2SOb5gDhizB0RigGiqxljFA34EhDZbO7QvPTStn4i6Fv4/s320/IMG_4067.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">It is immediately obvious why NZ was chosen as middle earth and being a <i>Lord of the Rings</i> fan I was intrigued to see more. <b>Hobbiton</b> is a must see! It’s actually located on a working sheep farm outside a town called Matamata. Your picked up from the I-Site and taken there on an old rickety white bus aptly named ‘Gandalf’. As soon as you arrive it feels like you’re leaving NZ behind and entering The Shire, there are luscious green hills and dozens of Hobbit holes. I seemed to time my visit perfectly as the following week the site was closed off to the general public so filming on <i>The Hobbit </i>could commence. During my tour some areas were screened off from the public so the gardeners could add the finishing touches to the sets. Photos were allowed but the guides were very strict on the no go areas and we all had sign a document ensuring we weren’t then going to publish the photos before the films release. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wellington</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> was one of my favourite cities; it reminded me of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:place></st1:city> with its steep streets and coastal winds. I did another LOTR tour here taking in the local filming locations. Another must do. Again I booked this in the local I-Site and was picked up outside my hostel. The tour began with a tour of the city and its filming studios (Welly-wood) and then headed to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Weta</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Cave</st1:placetype></st1:place> which was fantastic. The gift shop is full of props and costumes and left with a considerably lighter wallet!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uf-fduZlQ-9OMK5sfSLMf5YJNODlCYRK3CBH3y8GjnL1qT24uU7NA0ulDyphyVdTl7Y26qViEEiNjXyueLLNOYO7lMQzSYpvyS-UB-24I9zO8vIZs9W1cd6yQtASBqJzP99F8lbLSjg/s1600/IMG_4521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uf-fduZlQ-9OMK5sfSLMf5YJNODlCYRK3CBH3y8GjnL1qT24uU7NA0ulDyphyVdTl7Y26qViEEiNjXyueLLNOYO7lMQzSYpvyS-UB-24I9zO8vIZs9W1cd6yQtASBqJzP99F8lbLSjg/s320/IMG_4521.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Dunedin</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> was probably the wettest place I went to. Situated on the east coast of the <st1:place w:st="on">South Island</st1:place> it is the furthest city away from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> before you start coming back on yourself. Being a major student city it has a very lively nightlife. I watched the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> vs <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Romania</st1:place></st1:country-region> game here in the new Otago stadium, a great piece of architecture with its transparent roof and natural turf. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Unfortunately <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Christchurch</st1:place></st1:city> still resembled ground zero when I visited in late September. The devastating February earthquake had really reduced the city to rubble. The <st1:stockticker w:st="on">CBD</st1:stockticker>, (city centre) was a no go zone. I had to see it for myself before I believed it but the inner city was actually fenced off and was a ghost town. It was tragic to see some of the ruins that were once people’s homes. There was a still a <b>Fan Zone </b>for people to watch the games but I only stayed for one night before moving on, it’s such a shame, with the bunting on the river and the willow trees the city is really picturesque. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Queenstown. The adventure capital. There is so much to do here; rafting, bungy jumping, ski-diving, jet boating, mountain biking the list is endless. I saved myself about $40 by booking a bundle package in the <b>AJ Hackett</b> Bungy Centre and so went white water rafting and did the 134m <b>Nevis Bungy Jump</b>! Surrounded by mountains it is a top skiing destination and at first glance you could easily mistake it for a Swiss skiing resort. As with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dunedin</st1:place></st1:city>, Queenstown is also a big nightlife spot with hundreds of bars to choose from. It would be rude of me not to mention <b>Fergburger</b>, world famous for its enormous burgers the size of dinner plates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">NZ did a fantastic job of hosting the RWC. It felt like the whole country came together. There was transportation and entertainment provided at every game and there was always someone available to help. I only had 3 weeks over there but I still came back satisfied and wanting to return. There is still so much for me still to see and for anyone thinking of heading that way my advice would be to go for it. It’s a really long way to go so as long as you schedule enough time and plan your trip properly you’ll have a great time. I now look forward to 2015 and hope England can do as good a job as host as NZ did (the same result wouldn’t go amiss either!).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-53590628654779737742011-12-05T18:52:00.002+00:002011-12-05T21:11:18.545+00:00Gecko's Adventures <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria;">Geckos was originally recommended to me by a family friend. Since going on one of their tours not only have I often recommended them to others but also have many stories to share. Here I thought I would do both. I spent 3 weeks on a Geckos tour in South East Asia, travelling from Vietnam through Cambodia and ending in Thailand.</span> <div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">With a maximum of 16 people Geckos has all the benefits of group travel however remains personal and flexible. My tour ranged from 8 to 12 people. Each new destination saw people either leave or join us and with tours ranging from a few days right up to a month or two there all always people coming and going. With each new city you get the option to either have your own room (small additional cost) or share with a member of your group so there is always opportunity to get to know new people. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">The majority of your meals are usually included (breakfast and some lunches) but your main meal is usually out of your own pocket. We used this to our advantage and spent each night somewhere different trying new foods and the local beer. Our tour guides were great, not only would they suggest somewhere good to eat they would usual join us too. We would usual go out as a group, order a variety of dishes to share amongst us all and then make our way to a night market or local bar – at $3 a beer it would be rude not to! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPwaj49d8t8Lq0E9LcPY7allVxSSukzxO0w3xzEWs4SQ6eO5x98Ql4IxpF2dwmpWpSz48iHeTYU3jJhrY54CIT1FbEfeYONKKSNurNtkTLuEW4KWeTs3HBMyVDFA9kmcWh0zYbzf-nkA/s1600/IMG_5946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPwaj49d8t8Lq0E9LcPY7allVxSSukzxO0w3xzEWs4SQ6eO5x98Ql4IxpF2dwmpWpSz48iHeTYU3jJhrY54CIT1FbEfeYONKKSNurNtkTLuEW4KWeTs3HBMyVDFA9kmcWh0zYbzf-nkA/s320/IMG_5946.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">All the must see sights are included in the tour cost. Any additional activities are usual available at an extra fee. When in the Angkor Watt temple complex all the main temples were included (include a sunrise and sunset visit) but there was also the option to go on a hot air balloon or an elephant ride. We arrived at the complex around 5am for sunrise and were greeted by young children willing to guide you to the temple with a torch and then f ix you up with a chair and hot chocolate when you got there – all for a small fee. Word of warning – there are ‘beggars’ everywhere, mostly in the form in children offering fruit or to take your picture but then asking for a dollar or two in return. When crossing one of the borders there were some children with tarantulas offering to let them crawl on us whilst they took our picture, the only catch being we had to buy some bananas off of them – nothing too much but just something to be aware of.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">When entering a new country we were met by a new guide. Having someone who spoke the native language was really helpful. It was great to have some local advice on which flee market to go to or help explain the contents of a certain dish. The border crossings were also made a lot easier by having someone assist you in filling the correct form and speed up the visa process. When on the Vietnamese/Cambodian border I could have sworn I saw the guide slip some cash inside my passport – not that I was complaining I got through with no issues! Another thing to watch out for is the border guards. One minute their checking your passport the next their trying to sell you some local currency for a hugely inflated price. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKZwtxTNtBiJAtgaQcIPmtBzWqOUthTaZE07wC7hqlXq8YEvL_L6HPz93WiBjjShAQmvLr4lgjoK_tGk-95fLndvckJDCnJj2hW-emQZ2tUDYVRdZz_PV7_OYm2-36LpSf8xV2mnYv-U/s1600/IMG_5597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKZwtxTNtBiJAtgaQcIPmtBzWqOUthTaZE07wC7hqlXq8YEvL_L6HPz93WiBjjShAQmvLr4lgjoK_tGk-95fLndvckJDCnJj2hW-emQZ2tUDYVRdZz_PV7_OYm2-36LpSf8xV2mnYv-U/s320/IMG_5597.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">Transport is another worry that is taken care of. The majority of our inter-city or inter–country travelling was done by some form of minibus. In Vietnam the rail network is quite extensive and the overnight train was also included. We had a boat ride in Bangkok included and a rather scary ‘cyclo’ ride through Saigon. I cannot think of a word to describe the traffic in Vietnam. The majority of vehicles are some form of motorbike or scooter. It is absolutely mind blowingly crazy, with a side dish fantastic. It’s surreal. Its one of those things that you can’t describe to someone who hasn’t been there. Renting a scooter is highly unadvisable in many guidebooks but wow is it fun! If you do choose to use some form of taxi or tuk tuk I would strongly recommend bartering -always arrange a price before you get in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">What I most enjoyed was the friendly atmosphere. There is a really good balance between travelling on your own and being part of a group. When I arrived in Vietnam the group had already been together for over a week and initially I was slightly apprehensive. However after some introductions we all went out for dinner and I soon felt welcome. The unique thing is the group numbers are constantly varying. With so many tours operating for different lengths of time there are always people coming and going midway through. Before leaving Vietnam we parted with some of our group before heading over the border to Cambodia and meeting some more newcomers. One particular night in Phnom Penh started with a ‘quiet’ meal and ended around 4am. Not the greatest idea when the next day consisted over an 8 hour drive to the Thai border – got to be the worst drive of my life!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode";">For such good prices and with great frequent traveller deals Geckos are very hard to beat. Their tours are very comprehensive and extremely safe. They strike a great balance between independent travelling and a social group experience. Now everything stated here was from my own personal experience and so details may differ depending on which country or tour. However what won’t change is the fact that it’s a great way to see a new country and make new friends. Go ahead and try it for yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-57657442188962049072011-11-29T17:48:00.001+00:002011-11-29T17:48:37.668+00:00Still to come.Am heading to Rugby HQ Saturday to celebrate my birthday. Am watching the Help4Heroes charity game. Will post article after.Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-39606410587214687752011-11-27T22:04:00.001+00:002011-11-27T22:13:29.151+00:00Summer Camps<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0xTX85NdprsOgN4Ed1ZJy1ByZq1xvwQeNy26oOidNzcsuGKXNYnbFBrjH_QzSdOJpuYhI43NWfyaiJz46sE5S6fpriXDEiB_ygWOnnJvCLIqTm3ODvCiblumT_7s5vihOKtDeBoEMpY/s1600/CIMG1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0xTX85NdprsOgN4Ed1ZJy1ByZq1xvwQeNy26oOidNzcsuGKXNYnbFBrjH_QzSdOJpuYhI43NWfyaiJz46sE5S6fpriXDEiB_ygWOnnJvCLIqTm3ODvCiblumT_7s5vihOKtDeBoEMpY/s320/CIMG1826.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">I have so many memories and experiences from my two summers spent in America that I thought I’d share them with those who are considering going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first piece of advice is DO IT! - The only thing I regret about my time spent at summer camps is not returning for a third year. There are so many different camps out there to choose from - sports camps, religious camps, day camps, special needs camps etc. There are thousands of camps located in every state in the USA and so there really is something for everyone.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">I spent the summers of 08 and 09 over in the USA working in California and Missouri. I am being 100% honest when I say that these summers were the most enjoyable and satisfying I’ve ever had, yet having said that they are also enormously tiresome. It is not a holiday in any sense (there is room for that after!) and you leave the camp both emotionally and physically drained. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">If you have already applied or are in the process of doing so, my next piece of advice is not to panic. I spent my time in-between camps working for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Camp Leaders </i>interviewing applicants and so have dealt with a fair few applications. Once your application is accepted you are pretty much guaranteed a place. It may not happen straight away but be patient as there are thousands of camps out there each requiring different types of people. I was extremely lucky, whilst attending a recruitment fair in London I was interviewed and given a place on the same day, however some friends of mine have had to wait until May to hear where they were going. Now if you have a particular skill (sailing, lifeguarding, rock climbing etc..) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you may be placed sooner than others however it all depends on the camp and position you’re applying for.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">Specialist counsellor/Activity leaders</span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";"> are pretty self explanatory, you have a specific skill that you teach to the campers, you also muck in at dinner times and are usually (in my experience) attached to a group/tribe/unit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">General Counsellors</span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";"> are responsible for the children 24/7. You sleep in the same cabin as the campers, eat at the same table and escort them to and from their activities. It can be an extremely rewarding position as you really get to know your campers and form a special bond.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">Support Staff</span></i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";"> make up the back of house roles; kitchen staff, maids, office admin etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">Now it is important to point out that not one of these roles is easy. They all have their own unique challenges whether it’s the kitchen staff preparing the breakfast at 6am, the activity leader cleaning up after an eventful arts and crafts lesson or a counsellor changing a camper’s bed sheets at 3am as they’ve wet the bed – Yes it happens, and often!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">I have been very privileged with my time at camp. I spent my time in California located amongst the great Redwoods in the north of the state. The kids were split into ‘tribes’ according to their age and sex; the males staying in log cabins and the females in teepees! The camp has a really rustic natural feel and all activities were taught outside . The camp was part of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boys and Girls Club</i> program and so the kids were from under privileged backgrounds and inner city areas. My second camp was located on the Missouri river and surrounded by luscious green forests and hills. Both camps were full of staff from all over the world and so it was really great to make some interesting friends and learn about new cultures.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">It’s hard to describe a ‘typical’ day at camp as no such thing exists! Each day is different and brings new challenges. For one of the counselling positions your day usual starts around 6am. 95% of your time is dedicated to the campers and so it’s only when they are in bed that you can sort your own admin out (writing letters/emails, showering etc). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">Campers are usually woken up around 7:30 by some form of bell or bugle and then the whole camp proceeds to the flag rising ceremony. This is a huge part of the American culture and really shows how patriotic and passionate they are. Usually any announcements are made at this point before everyone heads for breakfast. Now regardless of the meal, the dining hall has to be the most chaotic place at camp. In both my experiences long benches have been set out for each unit of campers and the counsellors sit with the kids. I developed a bit of a bad habit of rushing my food. This made things easier as someone was bound to need the bathroom, fall ill or spill something and so by finishing first I was always on hand to deal without whatever happened. During my time at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Camp Shawnee </i>my unit used meal times to display our latest chant/dance to show off to the other campers. This was often responded to with a dance and so lunch would soon turn into a dance off! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">Depending on how long each lesson is (normally an hour or so) there are usually 5-6 activity periods each day. Unfortunately I have never been to a camp with a lake, my first camp had a river running through the forest and my second had an outdoor heated pool. The water based activities are a big part of camp life and can help build confidence and teamwork to the kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the evening meal there is always some sort of communal gathering. This is usually done around the main camp fire. Here is when songs are sung, awards are given out and shows can be put on. During my time at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Camp Mendocino</i> the staff put on a Disney extravaganza for the campers. This included all lessons being Disney themed and then rounding the week off with a musical show – including costumes! If I was to count how many times I had dressed up (including in ladies clothes) to amuse the campers I would soon run out of fingers!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">It goes without saying that summer camp is all about the kids; however it is also a fantastic way to see America. You are literally living over there for 4 months and so it’s a real insight into the culture. From being baffled by your first grocery shop to celebrating Independence Day it’s a great way to embrace their lifestyle. The money you are paid will vary depending on the camp and position you have, however you don’t really have that much time to spend it during camp and its after that it comes in handy. Some people may have to leave straight away or may only stay a week, I however had no university to rush back to and so spent 3-4 weeks seeing what I could of the USA. Currently I have been to 22 states, 20 of them I wouldn’t have seen if I hadn’t met people at Camp. It’s here where the term ‘Road Trip’ really comes into its own. During my second year I joined a close friend of mine travelling from Missouri to New Orleans then on to San Francisco. It was around 3000 miles I believe and was fantastic (Thanks Eddie!). We set off in the morning and stopped whenever something caught our fancy. During my first year I joined a group tour going to all the desert states and then finishing in Las Vegas. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: "Lucida Sans", "sans-serif";">I really do believe that spending a summer over there can change your life. Now this may be as drastic as moving over there to live with your newly met girlfriend (good luck Mat!) or it may be as small as returning home with improved confidence and a more outgoing attitude. Either way you are certain to return with a positive and memorable experience. Like I said my only regret was not returning for a third year, I would head back over there tomorrow. If you are considering going then I cannot encourage you enough, if you have already applied then you have already made the best decision!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-62333763137091067002011-11-23T22:37:00.001+00:002011-11-23T22:37:17.038+00:00Watch this space.Am working on an article about my time spent in summer camps. Will try to get it up next few days.Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-15561016923459368552011-11-21T20:52:00.001+00:002011-11-21T20:54:58.296+00:00Travelling Solo.<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">People are always surprised when I tell them I'm travelling solo. The first thing I point out is that there is a world of difference between travelling alone and travelling solo. Just because you are going somewhere solo does not mean you won’t meet people. It the mindset you travel with that will determine whether it’ll work for you. </span></strong></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Going somewhere solo can be as exciting or as tedious as you make it. The world is literally YOUR oyster. You choose where to eat and you choose what to see. Your itinerary can be as full or as empty as you make it. The trump card for solo travel has to be the flexibility. It’s the perfect time to be selfish and not feel guilty about it. There is no need to compromise your plans to accommodate someone else’s needs. You can spend as long as you like in that museum without worrying that you’re boring your friends. You can take however long you want setting your camera up to get that perfect picture without anyone waiting around impatiently. The only timeframe is the one you set yourself. </span></strong></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Travelling solo isn’t as solitary as the word suggests. There are always people in the same boat as you that you will meet along the way. That’s the beauty of it. Meeting new people can’t get any easier. Hostels are tailored for individuals, there’s always some gig, movie night or event going on and so you’re never really ‘alone’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping an eye on the notice board in the lobby of a hostel is always a useful way to meet fellow travellers. These are usually full of offers and requests from people looking to share fuel costs or accommodation. </span></strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Now of course there is an element of risk when you travel alone. But to be honest if you are properly organised and prepared it can be no more dangerous than travelling within a group. As long as precautions are taken and common sense is applied the chances of anything ‘dangerous’ happening is very small – or at least as small as it would be anywhere else! In all my experiences of travelling on my own I’ve never really felt threatened. I like to think I’m sensible but can also enjoy myself. On numerous occasions I have been out drinking (possibly having one too many!) yet I have managed to get back safely as I’ve avoided the less friendly areas of town.</span></strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">What puts most people off is the thought of loneliness. You know when you get to that special place with ‘that’ view or you witness something beautiful and there’s no one there to share it with - it can be slightly saddening. And yes there can be some situations when one might feel slightly uncomfortable – eating alone in a restaurant full of couples or lazing on a beach filled with families. But as I’ve said before it’s the mindset you travel with that will affect how you handle these social situations. A book or iPod can help you get used to this new sense of freedom and independence.</span></strong></em></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD", "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #fff2cc;">At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. There are trips that are best done alone and some that are better enjoyed from a group perspective. Do your research and always remember to go with an open mind and you can’t go wrong. As with everything, you never know until to try it. </span></strong></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong></strong></em></span>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-52975174050177395682011-11-21T01:01:00.000+00:002011-11-21T17:33:26.533+00:00Why do we play rugby?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>There's something about rugby that we all love. Winning or loosing, it’s the love for the game that keeps us all playing no matter what the level. Many of us will play injured, hungover (sometimes drunk) and even past retirement - with our love for rugby often overruling our common sense!</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>I play for a pub team. It’s not a particularly tough league but the banter and camaraderie is unbeatable. There is a social side to the game that bonds us all, often continuing into the 3rd half in the bar afterwards.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>For me it starts Saturday morning. Meeting at the pub (always a bonus) we find out final numbers and arrange who is travelling in what car. After a pint of some<span class="apple-converted-space"> pre</span>-match protein we then head off in convoy - despite this there's always someone who gets lost along the way! </b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>After arriving at the ground we proceed to the changing rooms where we are greeted by a strong smell of deep heat and a lack of bench space. Still, spirits are high and the banter is in top form, especially when someone has forgotten their shorts and has to borrow a pair 2 sizes too small! We then begin to dig our through the shirt bag - some players requiring a specific shirt to fit their....um.. 'physique'. When leaving the changing room we must look a right old motley bunch, with shirts bearing no relation to our position and the more 'experienced' guys held together with gaffa tape.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Our 'warm up' could be more accurately described as a wives meeting. It usually consists of around 10 mintes of chin-wagging to find out the gossip from the previous nights events, a lot of aimless kicking (including front rowers practicing drop goals??) and eventually a quick game of touch to warm up the old legs. A few drills are run - mainly to remind the boys of their line out calls as too many knocks to the head can lead to a forgetful forward!</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Game time. This is what we live for. That 80 or so minutes where we give it our all. Numbers aren't always on our side so we can often be playing out of position but that just adds to the fun. When initially asked where I'd prefer to play, I replied 'flanker', at which point my captain then replied, 'how'd you feel playing full back?'. This sums up the attitude of my club. We are all prepared to play where we are needed. So far I have covered all positions bar the front row - and I pray that day never comes!! </b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>The role of touch judge is often performed by a spectator or or family member and one of the subs will act as water boy. If we're really lucky we may get some orange segments at half time!!</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b> I find that the level of respect you find in rugby is unparalleled by any other sport. Often described as a game for hooligans played by gentleman, this philosophy is epitomized by the respect shown towards the referee. One minute a rather burly 19 stone prop can be... 'expressing' his opinion to his counterpart (using some rather well chosen expletives), the next he can be as gentle as a kitten whilst replying to the ref's commands, 'yes sir, sorry sir, wont happen again'. There may be a few scuffles here and there on the pitch but that's really just a player's passion boiling over. A player wants to give everything he has to the team and will play his heart out for the man next to him. On the pitch a punch or two may be exchanged but off the pitch a pint or four are exchanged in their place, all 'disagreements' are forgotten and everyone becomes good mates.</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>When the final whistle blows the excitement turns to relief as 30 blokes are blowing out their arse. Only one team emerges victorious but all leave the pitch happy. After the usual 3 cheers and tunnel rituals we all head to the showers where the banter recommences. </b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Back at the bar we all turn professional pundits now we have the power of hindsight. Here the congratulations are given out and the MOM is announced and the drinking begins. I remember my first game having to stand on a bar stool and down a pint of ale, not what you'd the best recovery drink!</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>To end, rugby is a hard game. Ask any player how he feels on a Sunday morning and he'd tell you the same. However the aches and pains are worth it, the feeling you get playing 80 minutes alongside your mates far surpasses the feeling of a battered body. Why do we do this to ourselves? - because we love rugby and we have odd shaped balls.</b></i></span></div>
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</div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-20136689880812273442011-11-20T21:19:00.000+00:002011-11-21T17:43:11.523+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqpL-tqWFv4ZnTa_QpKS-bFVTHFJcuVl8wqTPzRqd5fRAWZkmVau3-Bh6quVEh32ALS6OLRisWh8FayJSeh_WonZcnfS3Avd6Sb8Fb1Il9vb4zzs-PZgmfTLZqAyvzckiA3XPhVVUCIk/s1600/IMG_5865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqpL-tqWFv4ZnTa_QpKS-bFVTHFJcuVl8wqTPzRqd5fRAWZkmVau3-Bh6quVEh32ALS6OLRisWh8FayJSeh_WonZcnfS3Avd6Sb8Fb1Il9vb4zzs-PZgmfTLZqAyvzckiA3XPhVVUCIk/s320/IMG_5865.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2k-wr9XxlWfphYhui3LPt6hw-W9wCXV75BW7ZMlEyNw66JmnhBrsgyhxJEjOocsm3pSKxTUAHKhWPqlbug8blOj03Al250GsQ8g69NkEy5Pke3fKbc9_e5BW4xejyNbEzRM9b4lS2HU/s1600/IMG_5859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2k-wr9XxlWfphYhui3LPt6hw-W9wCXV75BW7ZMlEyNw66JmnhBrsgyhxJEjOocsm3pSKxTUAHKhWPqlbug8blOj03Al250GsQ8g69NkEy5Pke3fKbc9_e5BW4xejyNbEzRM9b4lS2HU/s320/IMG_5859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1805431903980383411.post-91002175057932932092011-11-20T20:46:00.002+00:002011-11-20T20:58:15.075+00:00My first blog.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>So this is my first time. Up until now I've always liked the idea of a blog, to capture my thoughts and share them with others. I often sprout a load of nonsense so I thought why not share it and see if others agree? If not, I'm always up for a healthy debate.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The majority of my posts are likely to be rugby or travel related. Photography is a big hobby of mine and so a lot of my pictures are likely to make it onto here.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Basically this is somewhere I will share my views, experiences and thoughts. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Thanks for reading !</b></span>Joe Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17187772685292241591noreply@blogger.com0