A Day Off!

It's now mid-November so for Christchurch that means 'Show Week'! Traditionally, this is when countryfolk come to town to show their pigs, chickens, shiny tractors, wood choppng skills and to race their nags! The main events of the week are the three day A & P Show (like the New Forest Show), Tuesday's Cup Day, and Saturday at Riccarton Races.

'Cup Day' as it is known is when the top sulky racers (horse and cart racing!) compete for the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway. It's a dressy day when everone starts out in their finest threads, drinks plenty of bubbles and ends up in a heap on the ground. As well as showing the elegant winners of the 'Fashion in the Field' competition, the local paper is very fond of showing shots of women being carried on shoulders or sitting with their heads between their knees examining the pavement!

Once again though we went along to Riccarton Racecourse for flat racing's New Zealand Cup. (There is a third New Zealand Cup during the week: a greyhound one at Addington Raceway). Again, hats are bought and people dress up for a day at the races. As is now our tradition, the day started with us having friends around for a champagne breakfast before heading off to the races. Actually, as I am training, my day started rather earlier with an intense training run!

At the races bets were laid (even though Chantal had no idea what the trifecta she betted on was), drinks were had, sausages barbecued and the sun threatened to come out! Unfortunately, there was a persistently cold wind all day and the high of 24 degrees never eventuated!

Towards the end of the afternoon, we decided to leave the windswept pastures to the hardier horsey folk and retreat to the sanctuary of Pomeroy's to watch New Zealand 's World Cup qualifier game against Bahrain . It was great watching a game of football in the pub at a normal time. In the past, we have watched England or The Netherlands at some riduculous time like 5am when the pubs do a roaring trade in pots of tea and bacon butties! For the record, the 'All Whites' won so they will be going to South Africa ! As per usual, Pom's provided good beer, food and company! It's a hard place to leave!

All in all, a good day was had! In case you are wondering, I did mange to clear the head to go for a bike ride on Sunday morning! I also took Tuesday afternoon off work to fit in the bike/long run session that I missed at the weekend. Training must not be neglected!