What a Result....

What a result…..

Netball tests between NZ and Australia are legendary. The Ozzies are the world champions, as they took the title off us during the last world championships in Auckland. When you look at the head to head statistics between the two teams Australian wins far outnumber ours. They have won 53 past encounters and NZ 36.

But….for this game we triumphed (46 to 41) and I was there in Melbourne to watch it! Just look at that scoreboard. It was great. During the first quarter, it was definitely their game to win as they snaffled the ball with outstanding skill, keeping us scoreless for much of the first quarter. In fact for the first ten minutes they restricted us to just 3 goals. The crowd crowed, I was in shock. I was wondering if "my girls had come to play?"

But, staunch as ever, Coach Ruth Aitken made some changes and one of those was to bring Lianna Barret-Chase on at WA for her first cap. She was superb and strong. It’s very exciting to see a new cap come on and immediately stamp her mark on the game. She will be a huge force to be reckoned with once she fine tunes feeding the ball into the circle.

Several of Melbourne's superb sporting facilities are within easy walking distance of the city centre and I had a lovely stroll along the Yarra to reach the Hisense Arena. Being surrounded by cheering and booing (when the umpire decisions went against their team) was an interesting experience but in the main it was all very good natured and a slightly subdued crowd filed out of the arena.

Like all games between these two teams – netball was the winner. That we won while I was there to watch was sweet. After strolling back along the river, I just had to stop awhile and treat myself to champagne and a nice dinner at a restaurant beside the river.

I'm missing.......good after match coverage in the newspapers. I did find a couple of articles this time but it was just the comments of the Australian captain and coach. While these are great there was no independent match analysis. Actually there was nothing before the match either.

I'm loving........Catching up with family over here.

I was disappointed.............They wouldn't allow photographs in the arena so sorry, no shots of the game or the girls. But one of my bag!

Next.........I've been away the last two weekends so I will do an article on that. Both weekends where great. This weekend I'm going on the Bronte to Bondi Beach walk again to see the annual sculpture display. Ooh and I have a list of pet airport peeves.....Now that's worth waiting for.... and I am sure you will want to add your own pet peeves.

Is Age Just a Number on a Piece of Paper?

Is Age Just a Number of a Piece of Paper?

The other morning as I reclined back in bed with a steaming cup of tea, I let my thoughts wander freely.

I was thinking about age and about how, like many boomers, I really don't feel my age.

Earlier in the year when I was in Asia, I mixed with people a few decades my junior and the communication was seamless so unless I am confronted with age, I don't think about it much. In fact, I'm of the view that it's more about attitude than a number. Only the mirror tells me otherwise....and occasionally the attitude or comments of others.

The day was inclement and still in my philosophical space I wandered down the road to see the hyped movie of the moment "The Duchess". When I finally reached the front of the queue I was amazed to be charged $12.50 for the ticket. It seemed cheap but since this was the first movie I've seen since arriving in Sydney, I had no benchmark and accepted the price. I took my seat and for some reason I looked at the ticket and was shocked.....it was for a senior citizen! Oh my did that slash through my philosophical "I don't feel my age" moment of earlier. As an aside, does Kiera Knightley have only one expressions for pain or humiliation (of which there were many opportunities) - that of someone about to throw up! It was quite off-putting.

This past weekend I had another first for this trip - the walk from Bronte to Bondi Beach. Before going to Bronte I stopped by the old Victorian Cemetery at Waverley. It was there I spotted the magnificent marble monument of Alexander MacKenzie who was tragically killed by a stagecoach in 1884. He was just 54 years of age. He has a marvellous resting place.

Just below the cemetery is Bronte Beach; a cafe lover's haven where I had my choice of ten or so cafes. I didn't notice the name of the one I'd selected until after ordering - The Bogey-Hole Cafe. Is this a reference to golf or something altogether too disgusting to think about when waiting for food?

Back on the track, the very pretty walk hugs the coastline and dips in and out of alluring beaches. Interesting rock features abound. On a previous visit I walked from Coogee to Bondi Beach with my friend Ross. We thoroughly enjoyed it. It was hot that day and unfortunately we were under time pressure so couldn't stop for long anywhere. This time though I was able to take as long as I liked.

So, after sustenance at Bronte, the Tamarama Beach Cafe beckoned me. Tamarama Beach has been nicknamed Glamourama because of the beautiful people who frequent it but this day they were obviously enjoying a champagne breakfast elsewhere. This pocket sized beach has a couple of volleyball courts marked out and some fit enthusiastic foursomes played competitively.

As I sat there on the edge of the beach, relishing my excellent long black and enjoying the spectacle before me, I contemplated the world yet again. I felt no desire to swap places with the energetic foursomes. Would my feelings about swapping, I mused, be any different a few decades or so earlier....during the time I sauntered around in short short skirts? ....I doubt it. I like this stage of my life.

I'm enjoying.......exploring new places. I've been getting off the bus a few stops before the Uni and wandering around Randwick.

Taste sensation.........gorgeous rock melon.

I'm reading what book?.......A Parrot in the Pepper Tree by Chris Stewart. He's the author of Driving over Lemons which is a best seller about setting up an organic farmlet in Spain. It's great.

I'm surprised........over a news report stating Australian's have about 50-60% of their wealth in superannuation. Oh my...wouldn't kiwis love to be in that position?

Very special.......one of the lovely ladies at work gave me a CD the other day. It's Gunyah by John Williamson. She gave it to me because of the song about Emu's and Kiwi's. The lyrics go something like "the Emu's and the Kiwis stick together like glue - when tempers fray on a summers night if you pick on one you pick on two....the Kiwi's and the Emu". It's lovely and all the more special because Maria gave it to me.