19/2/15

Dear Diary,

I decide that wandering around aimlessly is a bit of a bad idea so I do a quick web search of things to do in Wellington when you have a free day before I leave the B and B. A cursory glance at the first site that Google provides provides a “Top Ten” list and I decide to do all of them in a day!

After accidentally wandering through Central Park (not on the list but very nice nevertheless) I accidentally end up at parliament building which the locals lovingly refer to as “The Beehive” because it looks a bit like a Beehive. There's a free tour about to happen so I join it and pass an enjoyable hour listening to how similar and yet how different its systems are to the U.K. model on which it was based. But one of the unexpected aspects of the tour is a trip to the basement to examine the earthquake proofing measures they have installed. In effect the whole building is resting on top of some pretty strong springs that should stop the foundations twisting and buckling, and then falling down, in this earthquake prone part of the world. It’s a feat of engineering, developed by New Zealand, of which they are rightly proud.

The opportunity to join the public viewing area while parliament sits is offered to us after the tour but I’ve had enough and besides, these aren't my monkeys and this parliament isn’t my circus.

Instead I head along to the wellington cable car which climbs 120 meters in 5 minutes to gain some more stunning views (almost as good as the ones from my accommodation) and enjoy an alfresco lunch in the beautiful Botanic gardens that are right next to the cable car station. The weather is perfect again today. Proper shorts and T-Shirt weather and I make the most of soaking up the warmth while picking off the flaking and peeling skin that is a byproduct of previous sunburn.

Before I head back down to town in the cable car I pop my head in the Cable Car Museum (which is slightly more interesting than it sounds) and buy a souvenir cloth patch (I collect them you know) with the cable car in mid assent that almost looks like it floating above the tracks. Pure brilliance.

Back in town I bypass the City Gallery (not in the mood) but visit the Museum of Wellington: City and Sea (which I would have enjoyed a lot more if i was in the mood for it)

I attempt to walk along the waterfront all the way to Oriental Bay but get sidetracked by people watching and just general enjoying the sunshine and sea breeze. I begin to notice that there are quite a few English people wandering around enjoying life in the sunshine too and I chat to a few of them while trying to disguise my Australian accent and also my support for New Zealand but they work me out pretty quickly, laugh along for a bit before wandering off to find more barmy people to form an army with and sing annoying songs at me all night.

A brief stroll up hipster hangout Cuba Street sees me find a “quirky” bucket fountain and, more interestingly, a pub showing the cricket. I settle in with a pint to watch Zimbabwe get out of gaol against the U.A.E. and start the relaxing part of the evening. I’ve barely done half the things on my list of ten but that's where I wrap up the day. Footsore I catch a bus back up the mega hill to the accommodation and thoughts turn to tomorrow's game proper.

For me, Its New Zealand all the way from here. They still look to strong and to organised despite what the doubt mongers mentioned after the Scotland game. Meanwhile England, despite having only played one game so far, look weak and in disarray. It's almost like they don't know how to play one day cricket, or, haven’t taken it seriously for the past twenty years.

Who knows what the actual day will bring.

As long as New Zealand win.