I still had my sea legs and felt noxious on the drive up the coast. The ferry ride across the Strait was not to be a good one either. I suggested we watch a movie for this trip and sitting low in the hull of the ship was a good solution for my current condition. It wasn't until Tegan asked to go get some food at the end of the film did I get a kick in the gut by ferry crashing into the large waves. The scene through the windows on the front of the ferry was either all water or all sky. Eating wasn't even a consideration of mine, but Tegan was hungry.
Back on land in Wellington and we set off North, not knowing how far to travel today before stopping to find a hotel with SkyTV for the other semi-final game. New Zealand play Australia tonight and this was the game most feared but the Kiwis. A win and the All Blacks face France for the final. It was a must win game and I had to be watching it in a pub or in a hotel room.
We kept going and Mount Taranaki loomed before us in the twilight. I had to get some photos and then we quickly set off in search of a hotel room in Hawera. The first decent one would do and it was quickly to the office to get a key, our milk and TV powered up so to watch the game in comfort.
The game result came to the relief of millions of Kiwis and the All Blacks secured their spot in the final. Only France now stood in the way of the ultimate prize. Too bad we wouldn't be in New Zealand to watch the final, maybe that was a mis-planned choice. But I wanted to be back home for my son Elliot's birthday. Just as important.
