Friday 30th - Should be on our way . .

Well by now the touring party should be well on their way home and as Gabby and I shared a delightful breakfast of Weetabix and juice, the others should be on the last leg of their long long journey.

All we could do is wait and let Gabby’s body and the drug do the work they were designed to do. We just had to be patient, which is very difficult for a person of my age and looks !! The nurses here were so kind and the hours just flew by. We had a nervous 5 minutes when we thought the consultant with his entourage of wanna-be doctors was looking like giving us a thumbs down – but a subtle smile from Gabby and a nudge from me did the trick and he confirmed our plan to get-outa-here. Final intravenous drip started at 12.00 took 45 minutes. Got all other tablets and medicines and then got a taxi drive to the airport, having said our goodbyes. The taxi driver gave us some magic words of wisdom as he ahd fought with God’s help bowel cancer and won . . so why shouldn’t Gabby win this fight !! he then said he expects to see Gabby at the next Olympics !!

Got to the airport – relocated and re-checked in our bags – several tons over our allowance but there were mitigating circumstances. Got the EK 413 to Bankok and Dubai and just slept and read and watched DVD’s. Time passed slowly except for the puking babies and the overweight passengers who definitely caused the plane to keel lover to one side. . . we tried to have a good time but both of us were very tired. I beat Gabby at Tetris and she beat me at pong – even though I was using her ‘male’ deodorent. Not that I needed any as I had a shower in Sydney airport !!! Bought a T-shirt to wear on the final leg home.

Got to Dubai looking very tired – Gabb’s still reading her book. Last leg seemed to take forever . . but that was nothing to the waiting for our bags to get off the plane at Birmingham. We were seriously worried as time went by . . eventually they arrived and we passed on into the foyer to be met by tearful parents and folks . . including Fran and Jon !!

Details of the medical events were then relayed to Mr & Mrs Gabby and the tour of New Zealand which was a dream some 14 months ago, was now over . . . but the whole World was not ready just yet to turn purple.

Whilst this blog is now officially closed, the stories and video diaries will continue – so look out girls chief Shozz has not finished yet.

Thank you for taking the time to read the events of the RGS Netball tour to Australia and New Zealand 2010 and I hope it’s made you smile more times than not. Can I cordially invite you to a presentation some time in September when I hope to get the girls to review the tour with memorable photos and music and although our playing record was nothing to write home about – played 24 won 3 . . the 3 we did win were fantastic . . the defeat by one was nail biting …..the age and height of the opposition was incredible…. and the umpiring towards the end of the tour a joke.

Thursday 29th - The tour splits up with tears . .

All was well in Christchurch and all seemed well half way through the flight. Then a little voice behind me said “Gabby’s foot has puffed up” – so a I dutifully put my hand behind my seat and massaged the top of the foot . . . it was not until we got to Sydney that we saw the extent of the puffing up. FW / CMD on the case and to cut this story short the tour minus Gabby and Shozz went on the 18.45 to Bankok. Gabb’s and I were optimistic of catching up with the tour in Dubai as there was a 9.10 flight that would ‘cut the corner’ and go direct to Dubai . . all we had to do was get to the St.Georges Hospital and back in under 90 minutes . . Taxi ride fast . . ANE with triage nurses NOT so fast . . like any ANE in the world I suppose . . got eventually seen to by a Senior Triage nurse A who immediately put the calppers on any ‘quick fix’ quoting 48 hours !! Tears just flowed from then on and when we left the nurse to go and WAIT again we had a good hug and a cry. Eventually we were told a plan ( Plan A ) . . intravenous drip for 48 hours and let the infected blister calm down . . things not looking up . . Plan A was confirmed by Doctor B but to give her her due she said she’d consult a ‘consultant’ – that’s obvious . . . anyway consultant doctor C when he arrived was the doctor of our dreams – our so we hope . . maybe I should stop this blog and wait ‘til its all over ? . . . he suggested to much tears of joy that Gabby stay in for the night ( we’d already accepted that . . ) and start the intravenous anti-biotics straight away as well as having the blister lanced as it was doing no good at all. Then after several doses of A/Bioitics Gabb’s would then take oral A/B’ on the flight home to resume the course of A/B at home . . this was the news we wanted to hear. We then booked in thanks to Teresa to the same flights as the tour but only 24 hours later . . Bankok – oriental city – and Dubai . . Oh this was good news . .

Young man with white gloves took us up to children’s ward – Gabby settled in and I slept on a bed next door. It was midnight by then. Good sleep til 4 am then fitful and interruptions from mobile with news from Tour party – leaving Dubai and news from home - - top up of my mobile……couldn’t get back to sleep . . worried about what the doctors will say in the morning ;- fingers crossed.

Wednesday 28th - The sun shines at last on the Hurricanes

A lie in saw a new bus driver Maurice arrive one hour too early !! Even so after a hearty breakfast we boarded the bus to go to the Antarctic centre by the airport. Following the blue footprints we were met by such hospitality that is was easy to get swept along . . ALL got to see the penguins fed and then we got two private trips on a Hagglund with a brilliant running commentary from the driver who came from Hagley !!! he was brilliant ! as was the 10 minute trip . .up and down and through a pond – recommend you look at the photos

The Antarctic centre also served as a good lunch spot before we returned to Christchurch for some more retail therapy and a final chance to show our progress with three matches against Hill Morton High School. The school looked large as we entered and the receprion we got was lovely. For the first time since Australia we were going to play outside in the sunshine and warmth. The school had also remembered that we were young and were to provide a social side of sixth formers as well as a Year 9 pack of enthusiasts – the plan being the Hurricanse were to play the Sixth formers and Sopwiths the Year 9’s . . . that was until they warmed up and CMD got it changed. In the end Cia’s plan would have worked both ways. . . . the Sopwiths started well but were struggling with the umpiring – the rules ARE different wherever you go . . . just like the weather and in the end were on to a loser . . . we had every chance to put the game away but every time we got into that position a passage of play went completely against us and we lost the plot. . . the longer the game went in the more difficult it became to fight everything around us . . and we lost – end of story.

As we came off more angry than anything else, we were delighted to hear and see the Hurricanes cheering and hugging as if they had won a game . . and sure enough they had !!! Well done the Hurricanes . . they out of all the teams have been the furthest away form a win but have always kept their spirits and energy and thoroughly deserved the win. Apologies but I do not know any more details as I was in consoling mood consoling my Sopwiths.

Then the turn of the Spitfires came and again we looked at the ages and sizes of the opponents and again had every reason to call the game off. The team looked more like adults than girls and were certainly not U.16. Still we’ve learnt the hard way and understand that everything we can put into such a game will count in triplicate for us next season. So we began the final 40 minutes of Netball and as usual held our heads up high with some very respectable play. At the end of the first quarter we were only 2 down – the second quarter was a mare and although we rallied and kept the margins down to 2 in both the final two quarters we knew we could not recover from the damage in the second quarter. Nonetheless Hill Mrotn were very complimentary about us and I think a little guilty about the age difference !! and gave us a very nice NZ send off with cakes and pastries in the library. . . and CMD still had time to push a gorgeous cream cake into JMS’ face !!

Back to the hoetl to change into posh kit for the end of tour dinner. I must say at this stage that I knew I had brought with me 23 young girls and 2 ladies on tour some 19 days ago but when CMD took us to this lovely restaurant and I looked around at the tables it was clear that they had all become 23 ladies and I was proud to be at the head of the table . . where any Maori chief should be !! And then the live musician started and the girls ( sorry – ladies ) just sang with him – it was fantastic. By the way the food too was A*1 too. The meal ended far too quickly for my liking and we walked back to the hotel and arm in arm the girls just sang . . . the 800m . . .23ladies singing ‘Reach for the stars . .’ Unbelievable it was as were the looks we got from passer-bys and drivers . . ALL of them smiling I might say with bewilderment.

Back at the hotel we went to the top floor to have the end of tour presentations and speeches. As you’d have expected by now, it was done so well and respectably too. We had been told to be as quiet as possibly as there were people occupying the rooms close by . . so when it came to clapping the ladies just clicked fingers !! Amazing maturity !! The awards were given the Naomi and Toni in a humourous and light hearted fashion with lovely anecdotes too. Then Naomi and toni were thanked by Jane and Georgia with two excellent speeches. After this it was time for the extra special awards . . . the most improved player – Katie Russock, the Player’s player was shared between Jane and Fran and then the most special contributor on the tour went to Sophie Eaton. The words by CMD were excellent and epitomised the contribution made by Sophie and how she had never let anything get her down and making every one else happy – what a star. . . . she had even had time to mature too !! Lovely girl.

Then we had a fun quiz and off to bed for a final time . . . but that was not before the coaches Fran / Cia and myself had been given gifts which coupled with thanks brought tears to everyone’s eyes. I only had to look at Alex and B for them both to have flooded eyes. After this the girls had some girl circle time and vowed to keep themselves in touch with several moving on in September . . and still the tears flowed.

Tuesday 28th - A whale , a win and a wonderful cartwheel . . .

You had to be up early to really see the morning view. Opening our curtain we saw a beautiful mountain range, the top third covered in snow and coloured a beautiful pink . . . the sun not having been up so long either. It was truly beautiful and I don’t think the pictures will do it justice. Girls in the bus with bags ready for a breakfast at Flukes Café down on the chisel bank-like beach ( spelt correctly this time HG . . . you’ve gone awfully quiet HG these last few days . . are you still there ??) right in the centre of Whale Watch country. Superb breakfast but signs NOT good for whale watching. The board predicted swells of between 1 and 2 m and the trip we were booked for said “pending” . . . fingers crossed . . decisions decisions . . do we take the tablets or do we not and if YES . . then when ?? Flight WW01 was called for and we attended a briefing before being bussed out to the ship . . . superb jet driven vessel – criuising at 30knts . . . jMS and Anne-Marie ( Navy Cadet ) were in their element. Usual whale jokes emanating and lots of pointing to get others confused. Disappointed the girls hadn’t heard of Moby Dick or indeed the call by Capain Ahab ‘ Thar she blows !!” . . no matter . . small things please small minds . . 15 minutes in and we stopped . . no the world did not turn purple . . rather the Captain said he’d seen a whale and all should go on deck and look out. Some saw it but by the time those that really mattered we out it had dived . . needless to say I did not see it !! Undeterred and enjoying every minute of the journey the team waited on deck for the next sighting of our ‘Moby’ and sure enough we did not have to wait long before what looked at first like a large log of wood actually spouted a 3 metre jet of water to then be identified and a Sperm Whale. Photos were madly taken as the vessel crept closer and closer . . then with the commentator giving us warning to load up your cameras, the whale dived and we all had a perfect view of the infamous tail flip. Down she blew never to be seen again by us . . . the Captain then using his washing ling of a sonar sounding device told us that there was a whale beneath us who had been down for 35 minutes and was due to surface ( blagger !!! ) We waited in the ever-increasing swell until the last possible moment before heading back. The return journey with the waves and tide causing us to ‘roller-coast’ in took its toll on the girls as several fell asleep and at least one couldn’t keep their breakfast down. Having just docked the Captian came down to say goodbye and wish us well. Sitting right at the front and having just got her best friend Lizzie on the mend following the motion sickness journey, Sophie was then seen to jump 3 feet in the air – was this an omen for the afternoon ??? – as a Haka was performed right in front of her !!

Then the rain came and we were not looking forward to the prospect of playing outside. Then when we arrived at Kaikoura high School we were told one inside and two outside – no way . . . . with a lunch in the Hall and FW and CMD persuading the oppo to play ALL three indoors for shortened games we settled down. Again JMS not impressed with the age of the opposition – looked far older. The order of play was Hurricanes , Spitfires , Sopwiths . . . . and off went the Hurricianes and with the sea motion undoubtedly still in their legs they were blown apart. With 3 10 minutes thirds being played there was little time for recovery and despite fighting hard the early start and the sea sickness told very badly on the girls and they just couldn’t find any rhythm to their game and went down 9 – 31 . . . up stepped the Sopwiths – the opposition asking us to reverse the order as one of their senior girls was still at work and couldn’t get off – we smelt a rat here and not for the first time either . . . So we reluctantly agreed and the Sopwiths took to the field . . . totally demoralised when we saw the giant of a GD – talk about seven foot !! and then you look at Jess at Beth !! The last call from the bench was ‘Cancel the OTT’ ( OTT = Over the top ) and so we get stuck into them . . end of first third and we were 4 – 5 down . . end of second third and it was 9 – 10 down and the end of third chats were getting so so animated . . Sophie Eaton was made for this game – she was briliiant . . as were the others of course. Anne-Marie was baggin’ them every time and the defence of Katies x2 was superb. The running and competitive spirit of Hannah was unbelievable With two minutes to go we had them at 14 – 11 only for them to score . . . we needed one more and Anne-Marie GOT it . . . 15 – 12 then became 15 – 13 and the clock was still ticking . . . with 15 seconds left on the clock the WHOLE RGS squad on the bench got on their feet and were screaming as they counted down the seconds . . when it got to 3 . . . we all looked at court and could see Sophie counting down too and dancing . . . when the hooter blew the RGS mass invasion happened but that was NOT before Sophie had managed to do a cartwheel on the court – if only I were 40 years younger and I’d have done a triple salko with reverse split !! What an atmosphere . . . there was mass hugs going on everywhere – I think I even hugged the kit bag it was so exciting. Wheeeewwww we’re out of breath.

Follow that if you can . . . well the Spitfires did try despite being told to warm up in 1 minute . . quote of the tour so far FW – “We’ve not come all this way for UK to warm up in one minute – we need 10 please, thank you” Sorry to say but the Spitfires game again was against older opposition - a club side more than a school side let alone U.16 !! and like the Hurricanes just couldn’t get enough quality ball in the right area . . . end result they went down 9 – 34.

Today was the day the Sopwiths came of age – and NO-ONE will ever forget it.

Then we left Kaikoura and bombed the two hour journey down to Christchurch and the Camelot Hotel . . girls relaxed and showered before a good evening meal in the hotel restaurant. Girls now looking tired . . three days and we’ve played three matches and with a triple header to follow tomorrow.