More mayhem with Oman & Brown

Most of you know reading this will already know Katie and Steph, our good friends from back home. They're currently living and working and Wellington and if you'd like to know more about them you should click HERE. (At this point I'd like to point out that it was me who ripped off their blog idea and not the other way about. Thanks for helping Steph!)
Anyway, they've decided that they've had enough of the New Zealand Adventure, so resigned from their jobs and and booked the return leg of their R-T-W trip. Last weekend was our last chance to see them before they head off for summer fun in South East Asia, and what a send off we gave them. 





Katie had been working in Auckland on the Friday so made her way over to Devonport from the city, and got a tour of the new house. Steph's flight didn't arrive till later on so I nipped down to the airport in The Old Lady to get him. Meanwhile the North Shore Troops (Renee, Jabba, Goldie, Cat, Greg, Kai'a and Lou) and the Auckland infiltrators (The Draponater and Tracey who Iain works with at the Blues) arrived at the house and we had a bit of social gathering culminating in a fair few nips in front of the fire! Unfortunately I didn't really remember to take many photos so you'll need to do with these just now until I steal some from Renee and Steph. 

Saturday was a write off. All four of us were in bed till after midday and the boys ended up going to the Patriot for a curer. One member of the group was feeling particularly fragile and, as such, required immodium. Iain bet Steph that when he went into the Pharmacy for said medicine he had to ask the assistant for "jobby stoppers"!!!! Iain had to leave the shop as he was laughing so much at Steph's attempt. A late afternoon fry-up sorted us all out and we were back in the Patriot at 5.00pm warming up for the main event of the weekend: last Blues match of the Super 14 season at Eden Park. Couple of cheeky ones then down to the wharf for the City Ferry. 

Jumped on the train over to Kingland and a quick visit to the Kingslander before heading round to the ground. It was a great finish to the season - beating local rivals the Chiefs with a convincing win. 

Then, after the final whistle, we took Auckland by storm. Drinks and nibbles at Eden Park then onto the team bus for a meal at the Sky City complex in town.

After a good feed we did away with the niceties and started some drinking games with The Draponater (btw, he's the physio) and his girlfriend Tanya. The team manager was loving our impromptu game of quarters so much that he handed us the keys to three hotel rooms at Sky City for free! Cheers Strawny. 
But the night was still young. We headed down to the Viaduct at about 1.30am and met up with all Iain's work mates. What a laugh. Mental! As you'll see, there was a lot of Blue Steel going on. Joe didn't want to play though. He just smiles for the cameras, as does Charlie. 

We were still mad for it at 5, so decided it would be rude not to visit the Sky City casino before heading to our rooms. Only when headed for a taxi did we realise that Steph looked like he'd just had his head kicked in. It seems he has some sort of allergy but he's not sure what the reaction is to. This has only happened to him on one other occasion and the same things were going on: us, booze and shellfish. Have a look at Frank Sidebottom below and let us know what you think...

So, SkyCity. Armed with our cheeky cocktails, we hit the floor like James Bond. Bit of Roulette here and some Pontoons there to finish the morning off. Class. 3hours kip and ready to face the world. 

It was a strange feeling wandering down Queen Street on Sunday morning. We'd had such a brilliant time together but we also knew that that was the last time we'd be doing anything like that together for a long time now. It's been amazing being able to share so much of our time in NZ with Katie and Steph and we're all sad its coming to an end. 

There were plenty tears as we all said our goodbyes at Auckland Airport. Safe travels guys, we miss you already.