How are you all? It seems like an eternity since you were here Ken and I can barely remember whzt you look like Scotty and Hugh. All is well this side of the earth.

I have been working away at Auckland hospital which is a giant hospital serving a massive city. Thus it has been very educational and good for the CV but fortunately fairly relaxed and not too busy. That has left plenty of time for travelling and I have done the north of the north island fairly extensively on my weekends and spent 1 week holiday travelling from Christchurch to Abel Tasman national park (ie the north of the South Island). I finish work in 10 days or so. Currently my parents are here. We have tickets for the NZ Maori game next weekend and then me and Jen are going to do the rest of the South Island and hopefully get some skiing in. My travels take me then to Melbourne for 6 months further working and playing in July. It is supposed to be an excellent city to live in so I can't wait.

As regards rugby, I have been an avid viewer and have some great new lineout moves but due to travel commitments (ie weekends are spent away from the big city) I have not been playing. I have tried to keep fit and have only put on a little weight (which probably will come in handy when getting fit for rugby again). The plan is to go to Melbourne and catch the last 3 or so months of the rugby season (although I may grow a mullet, develop an extreme violent streak and play Aussie Rules) and then get into touch/surfing and I would love to do a triathalon (emulating the great Shamilton) but will first have to discover the secret to not sinking in the swimming pool.
You would not believe the hype here as regards the Lions. The fact that there are a reputed 25,000 supporters coming seems to have stirred it up more. There is a planned "Black Out" on Queen Street (the main street in Auckland) with shops decorating their windows in black and Telecom are running a "Lets Unite Against the Foe" type campaign. Also it has been interesting to hear Laurie Mains and John Mitchell saying the Lions will be pulverised 3-0. They may be right but at least a little bit of candour would be appropriate. There are also some key positions where the ABs are weak - remember they did not win the Tri-nations last year. It will be a good few weeks and I hope the Test series is as good as everyone anticipates.

Hope all is well at Anniesland - I always savoured the months between May-August...then there was the anticipation for the new season. 3 in a row? Could you also pass on my congrats to Richie Maxton. What a massive contribution he has made in the last few years to the Hawks as well as Stew Mel before that. And he's a great guy too!

Keep well,

John

This article was originally posted on 31-May-2005, 12:47 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 31-May-2005, 12:50.