http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/44992/voices-london-grace-dunedin-cathedral
A preliminary report and photo of a successful concert on Tuesday night. More details to follow!
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Wellington
First of all I’d like to say a quick hello to any Spragg/Direens who might be reading this and, of course, the rest of you choir-folk!
Thursday spelt the end of our brief, yet enjoyable, stay in Taupo and meant another coach trip courtesy of the knowledgable and entertaining Chris. This journey involved heading up and away from Taupo, gaining altitude until we reached the ‘desert road’, a carriage-way passing through the Tongariro National Park, a beautifully volcanic region. This part of our voyage made for great photography, especially on stopping briefly to take digital-memories of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano, and Mount Ngauruhoe or as some younger generations might know it, Mount Doom. That’s from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ if you didn’t already know!
Shortly after this brief stop we arrived at the NZ National Army Museum that gave the somewhat sleepy group an interesting insight into New Zealand’s involvement in the World Wars. And, importantly, gave lunch. Our mars bars contained a ‘see inside to win another free mars bar’ offer, to the delight of the trebles but to the consternation of the cafe workers who spent the next twenty minutes or so handing out free mars bar after free mars bar as probability worked its magic.
Some more driving and some more magnificent views and we arrived in windy Wellington where we had a brief rehearsal with the Kotuku Choir, had some afternoon tea and then met our host families. Wellington was to be the first of few home stays on our adventure and was entered into by many with a degree of trepidation, which by all accounts transpired to be unnecessary. Dan D’Souza and I were to stay with one of the Kotuku Choir, whom we had met briefly on Kotuku’s trip to England. Collected by her father, we made the brief trip back to her house where we shortly realised that we had struck gold in staying with them. Walking through the front door the rich smell of home-cooking struck my nostrils which, in retrospect, was the first signifier of fantastic hosts. Dinner was a delicious affair in which myself and Dan did our best to make smalltalk, aided by a younger brother who seemed keen to get involved. The family were extremely welcoming and I’m sure I speak for Dan as well when I say that we were immediately put at ease.
On Friday morning we were met with heavy rain which did not dampen our spirits as we were both feeling very pleased with how things had turned out with the first home stay. On going down for breakfast we were once again met with the smell of cooking, this time of muffins, and the sight of our host's mother bustling around the kitchen ensuring that all the children present were to be well fed at breakfast and throughout the day. We most definitely were. Today we had scheduled another brief rehearsal with Kotuku, followed by a brief photoshoot with the Mayor of Lower Hutt before the two choirs split, with us going on to the Te Papa museum. I am told that the museum was extremely interesting, and informative, but I personally did not experience much of it as it was here that I had my first familial encounter of the tour. As a half-kiwi I have been greatly excited on this tour by the prospect of visiting and meeting up with family so, at Te Papa, instead of checking out the exhibits I spent most of my time catching up with my cousin Matt.
After Te Papa we made our way to the ‘Weta Caves’ which thankfully were not full of bugs and was in fact a Miramar studios exhibition. Here we were met once again by Kotuku, so little time was spent viewing the exhibits and our energies became focussed on getting to know the choir AKA flirting. After this we departed for Wellington Airport for a photoshoot and quick sing-song with Kotuku. We then returned home for dinner at the home and a short walk around town before an interesting cultural experience – a kiwi house party. Much fun ensued.
Roll on Saturday, the day of the Kotuku Rising concert at the Michael Fowler Centre and a morning spent in our host families. Our host's father is the proud owner of a 4x4 that, unlike British 4x4s, is not simply for show and the school run. As such, on Saturday morning he took myself, Dan D, Dan T and Charlie K on an off-road adventure to ‘Red Rocks’ on the coast near Wellington. It’s important to note here that even if New Zealand is very British in its culture and cities (I would argue otherwise), it is completely foreign in its landscapes, which are truly magnificent. Driving around the coast I could help but imagine what it would have been like to arrive in New Zealand several hundred years ago, experiencing the wonder of thie new land. In the afternoon we had rehearsal and then concert, the details of which will be gone into by somebody else.
After the concert we were lucky enough to have the Cuba St. Carnival, an event that could be compared to Notting Hill, just much smaller. We were treated to dancing girls, live bands, ferriswheels and general festivities in what made for a fantastically lively evening before returning home and having our nightly gossip with our host who has very quickly become a close friend.
Sunday, and our final day in Wellington. In a rare occurrence we were at liberty for the whole of the morning and into the early afternoon with our hosts. This allowed for more sight-seeing and experience of the Wellington landscape. Dan and I spent the first hour venturing up to Wellington’s wind turbine which, although being mostly for show, does take you up to a fantastic vantage point looking over Wellington and is also alongside the nature reserve situated here. We then took a coast-hugging drive, once again soaking up the pure difference of New Zealand compared to Europe. A brief stop to enjoy some Goody-goody gum drop and hokey-pokey ice cream and then up to Mount Victoria where we experienced first hand why Welington has the nickname that it does, with highspeed winds that could easily take you off-balance if you weren’t paying attention. After this I left the main group (I believe that endulged in some retail therapy) to have a Chinese brunch with my aunty and five of my cousins, lovely for me as I had not seen most of them for closing down on seven years.
It was then time for another rehearsal, this time with the Wellington Cathedral choir before singing evensong and having our final evening with our hosts. After the evensong we took the cablecar up the hill, with yet more breathtaking views and finally on home to chowdown on steak, chops, potato and kumara, pavlova and fine wine. A final late night gossip with our fantastic host and it was time for bed, an early start necessary the next day.
That was Wellington!
Ed Spragg (U6)
Thursday spelt the end of our brief, yet enjoyable, stay in Taupo and meant another coach trip courtesy of the knowledgable and entertaining Chris. This journey involved heading up and away from Taupo, gaining altitude until we reached the ‘desert road’, a carriage-way passing through the Tongariro National Park, a beautifully volcanic region. This part of our voyage made for great photography, especially on stopping briefly to take digital-memories of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano, and Mount Ngauruhoe or as some younger generations might know it, Mount Doom. That’s from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ if you didn’t already know!
Shortly after this brief stop we arrived at the NZ National Army Museum that gave the somewhat sleepy group an interesting insight into New Zealand’s involvement in the World Wars. And, importantly, gave lunch. Our mars bars contained a ‘see inside to win another free mars bar’ offer, to the delight of the trebles but to the consternation of the cafe workers who spent the next twenty minutes or so handing out free mars bar after free mars bar as probability worked its magic.
Some more driving and some more magnificent views and we arrived in windy Wellington where we had a brief rehearsal with the Kotuku Choir, had some afternoon tea and then met our host families. Wellington was to be the first of few home stays on our adventure and was entered into by many with a degree of trepidation, which by all accounts transpired to be unnecessary. Dan D’Souza and I were to stay with one of the Kotuku Choir, whom we had met briefly on Kotuku’s trip to England. Collected by her father, we made the brief trip back to her house where we shortly realised that we had struck gold in staying with them. Walking through the front door the rich smell of home-cooking struck my nostrils which, in retrospect, was the first signifier of fantastic hosts. Dinner was a delicious affair in which myself and Dan did our best to make smalltalk, aided by a younger brother who seemed keen to get involved. The family were extremely welcoming and I’m sure I speak for Dan as well when I say that we were immediately put at ease.
On Friday morning we were met with heavy rain which did not dampen our spirits as we were both feeling very pleased with how things had turned out with the first home stay. On going down for breakfast we were once again met with the smell of cooking, this time of muffins, and the sight of our host's mother bustling around the kitchen ensuring that all the children present were to be well fed at breakfast and throughout the day. We most definitely were. Today we had scheduled another brief rehearsal with Kotuku, followed by a brief photoshoot with the Mayor of Lower Hutt before the two choirs split, with us going on to the Te Papa museum. I am told that the museum was extremely interesting, and informative, but I personally did not experience much of it as it was here that I had my first familial encounter of the tour. As a half-kiwi I have been greatly excited on this tour by the prospect of visiting and meeting up with family so, at Te Papa, instead of checking out the exhibits I spent most of my time catching up with my cousin Matt.
After Te Papa we made our way to the ‘Weta Caves’ which thankfully were not full of bugs and was in fact a Miramar studios exhibition. Here we were met once again by Kotuku, so little time was spent viewing the exhibits and our energies became focussed on getting to know the choir AKA flirting. After this we departed for Wellington Airport for a photoshoot and quick sing-song with Kotuku. We then returned home for dinner at the home and a short walk around town before an interesting cultural experience – a kiwi house party. Much fun ensued.
Roll on Saturday, the day of the Kotuku Rising concert at the Michael Fowler Centre and a morning spent in our host families. Our host's father is the proud owner of a 4x4 that, unlike British 4x4s, is not simply for show and the school run. As such, on Saturday morning he took myself, Dan D, Dan T and Charlie K on an off-road adventure to ‘Red Rocks’ on the coast near Wellington. It’s important to note here that even if New Zealand is very British in its culture and cities (I would argue otherwise), it is completely foreign in its landscapes, which are truly magnificent. Driving around the coast I could help but imagine what it would have been like to arrive in New Zealand several hundred years ago, experiencing the wonder of thie new land. In the afternoon we had rehearsal and then concert, the details of which will be gone into by somebody else.
After the concert we were lucky enough to have the Cuba St. Carnival, an event that could be compared to Notting Hill, just much smaller. We were treated to dancing girls, live bands, ferriswheels and general festivities in what made for a fantastically lively evening before returning home and having our nightly gossip with our host who has very quickly become a close friend.
Sunday, and our final day in Wellington. In a rare occurrence we were at liberty for the whole of the morning and into the early afternoon with our hosts. This allowed for more sight-seeing and experience of the Wellington landscape. Dan and I spent the first hour venturing up to Wellington’s wind turbine which, although being mostly for show, does take you up to a fantastic vantage point looking over Wellington and is also alongside the nature reserve situated here. We then took a coast-hugging drive, once again soaking up the pure difference of New Zealand compared to Europe. A brief stop to enjoy some Goody-goody gum drop and hokey-pokey ice cream and then up to Mount Victoria where we experienced first hand why Welington has the nickname that it does, with highspeed winds that could easily take you off-balance if you weren’t paying attention. After this I left the main group (I believe that endulged in some retail therapy) to have a Chinese brunch with my aunty and five of my cousins, lovely for me as I had not seen most of them for closing down on seven years.
It was then time for another rehearsal, this time with the Wellington Cathedral choir before singing evensong and having our final evening with our hosts. After the evensong we took the cablecar up the hill, with yet more breathtaking views and finally on home to chowdown on steak, chops, potato and kumara, pavlova and fine wine. A final late night gossip with our fantastic host and it was time for bed, an early start necessary the next day.
That was Wellington!
Ed Spragg (U6)
Taupo
On Tuesday 17th we departed for the little of Taupo located on the famous lake. On the way we stopped off at the Huka Falls. Everyone took plenty of photos and we watched a speed boat drive around at the bottom of the falls. After that groups split up and went to explore the surrounding areas. After about an hour we got on the bus again to complete the journey to Taupo. We arrived at the beautiful town about 5 hours after we departed. We then checked into our accommodation the rather swanky “Flash packers”... Groups of about 6 or 7 were put in each dorm. We then had showers and left for dinner at the world famous restaraunt “the Shed”. We all enjoyed a delicious buffet consiting of lasagne, steaks, chips spring rolls and much more... After dinner we watched the ATB play a bit of pool. Next on the agenda was the thermal springs. We hopped on the bus, picked up our swimming gear and drove to the near-by springs, which were unbelievable. We stayed until their closing time – we all felt very relaxed and ready for bed but the year 7s couldn’t control their excitement and pillow fights broke out in the hotel. The year 9 and 10 room didn't want to miss out on any fun so we decided to join in...The next few minutes were great fun until Mrs Foden was forced to control the hyper year 7s. (and a few Year 9s and 10s too... -ed.!) A quick telling off was enough to send them to bed.
We needed all the sleep we could get as the next day would be a busy one. We woke up early and congregated down stairs to walk to cafe for breakfast. The on the way to the cafe we enjoyed the stunning view of the lake. Then we enjoyed a buffet breakfast but the best part was definately the hashbrowns. After that we rushed off to the harbour to board the “Cruise Cat”. The Cruise Cat took us on a scenic tour of the lake. We saw some beautiful Maori carvings in the rock. After the stunning 3 hour journey we arrived back at the harbour and got on the coach. We then drove to the “Craters of the Earth” park. This was a picturesque thermal walk which took us right up to some huge geysers. After that we got back on the coach and went back to the main town and had free time for lunch. We split off into groups and had time to do what we wanted. The weather was amazing but after an hour in the sun everyone realised how burnt they were. The free time passed really quickly and the deadline to be at the hotel was approaching. Then we walked through the sweltering heat to the Church for our big concert.
Mr Toyne described how important the concert was as so many people from miles out were coming. There was even an Old Tiffinian attending the concert. Before the concert he had called Bentalls and order the material for the Tiffin blazer. They shipped the materials and he made the blazer himself just for the concert! After the long rehearsal everyone was knackered. The heat was taking its toll and the concert was only minutes away. Some cool refreshments kindly provided by the church helped to cool down the boys. We then entered the concert nicely refreshed and ready to sing. Mr Toyne introduced the choir with some of his usual lines much to the appreciation of the audience... The concert went really well, especially “Hear my Prayer” with a beautiful solo sung by Tom Batstone. At the end of the concert we enjoyed rapturous applause from the audiance. We were all relieved that it went well after a long, tiring day. After the concert ended we jumped on the coach to travel into the town for dinner. We had celebratory dinner in a nice Italian restaurant where, it’s fair to say, we all stuffed our faces with pizza!
Charlie Harrison (Year 9)
We needed all the sleep we could get as the next day would be a busy one. We woke up early and congregated down stairs to walk to cafe for breakfast. The on the way to the cafe we enjoyed the stunning view of the lake. Then we enjoyed a buffet breakfast but the best part was definately the hashbrowns. After that we rushed off to the harbour to board the “Cruise Cat”. The Cruise Cat took us on a scenic tour of the lake. We saw some beautiful Maori carvings in the rock. After the stunning 3 hour journey we arrived back at the harbour and got on the coach. We then drove to the “Craters of the Earth” park. This was a picturesque thermal walk which took us right up to some huge geysers. After that we got back on the coach and went back to the main town and had free time for lunch. We split off into groups and had time to do what we wanted. The weather was amazing but after an hour in the sun everyone realised how burnt they were. The free time passed really quickly and the deadline to be at the hotel was approaching. Then we walked through the sweltering heat to the Church for our big concert.
Mr Toyne described how important the concert was as so many people from miles out were coming. There was even an Old Tiffinian attending the concert. Before the concert he had called Bentalls and order the material for the Tiffin blazer. They shipped the materials and he made the blazer himself just for the concert! After the long rehearsal everyone was knackered. The heat was taking its toll and the concert was only minutes away. Some cool refreshments kindly provided by the church helped to cool down the boys. We then entered the concert nicely refreshed and ready to sing. Mr Toyne introduced the choir with some of his usual lines much to the appreciation of the audience... The concert went really well, especially “Hear my Prayer” with a beautiful solo sung by Tom Batstone. At the end of the concert we enjoyed rapturous applause from the audiance. We were all relieved that it went well after a long, tiring day. After the concert ended we jumped on the coach to travel into the town for dinner. We had celebratory dinner in a nice Italian restaurant where, it’s fair to say, we all stuffed our faces with pizza!
Charlie Harrison (Year 9)
Auckland
Having skipped Friday the 13th on crossing the dateline, we arrived in Auckland on a wet and windy Saturday morning, the excitement at finally getting off the plane outweighing the sinking realisation that we had to try and stay awake for another 15 hours. Once a certain countertenor had finally got through customs with only a warning letter for not declaring an apple, we were on the way to the hotel. The first piece of “tour banter” soon followed, with a future King’s bass desperate to get rid of the aeroplane curry earlier consumed. We were determined not to have a repeat of the festival standard coach toilet smell experienced in Germany, and being only 5 minutes away from the hotel, we thought it reasonable, with said bass being a big boy now, for him to hold on. However, after the driver took a sceinic route across the bridge and back, and used our hotel block as a roundabout a few times while he got his bearings, 5 minutes easily became an hour, leaving the King’s bass sprinting-cum-waddling into the hotel foyer. A hilarious start to the tour was a sign of good things to come.
Anyway, onto the singing. Heavily jetlagged, we went straight into the morning service at Auckland cathedral, just about singing Tallis’s Salvator Mundi over the deafening crickets during Communion. We received an exceptional welcome at tea following the service, typical of the receptions we have since been given throughout New Zealand. After lunch in the surrounding Parnell neighbourhood, we began rehearsals for evensong in the Old St Mary’s cathedral. This beautiful wooden church was moved across the street about 20 years ago on railway tracks, something that we have since found out is a relatively common practice in New Zealand, but nonetheless seems bizarre. In the summer heat however, it felt like we were singing in a sauna, and we were glad to take a break before the service. Evensong itself went well in the heat, backed up by great organ playing from Philip Smith, a fellow Brit in Auckland. We were rewarded with a buffet at a Thai restaurant, and the exhaustion felt by all was illustrated by a year 7 treble blissfully falling asleep on his plate, which unfortunately still contained his dinner. Still, by the next day the only person still jetlagged was Simon Ferris, who was also fighting a cold, and we were ready for the rest of the tour.
Charlie Kimber (U6)
Anyway, onto the singing. Heavily jetlagged, we went straight into the morning service at Auckland cathedral, just about singing Tallis’s Salvator Mundi over the deafening crickets during Communion. We received an exceptional welcome at tea following the service, typical of the receptions we have since been given throughout New Zealand. After lunch in the surrounding Parnell neighbourhood, we began rehearsals for evensong in the Old St Mary’s cathedral. This beautiful wooden church was moved across the street about 20 years ago on railway tracks, something that we have since found out is a relatively common practice in New Zealand, but nonetheless seems bizarre. In the summer heat however, it felt like we were singing in a sauna, and we were glad to take a break before the service. Evensong itself went well in the heat, backed up by great organ playing from Philip Smith, a fellow Brit in Auckland. We were rewarded with a buffet at a Thai restaurant, and the exhaustion felt by all was illustrated by a year 7 treble blissfully falling asleep on his plate, which unfortunately still contained his dinner. Still, by the next day the only person still jetlagged was Simon Ferris, who was also fighting a cold, and we were ready for the rest of the tour.
Charlie Kimber (U6)
Friday 20 February 2009
We're coming to the end of our first week in New Zealand now, which has gone incredibly quickly. Everyone, everywhere, has been so welcoming - from the official Maori welcome at the Marae in Auckland, to the congregations at Auckland Cathedral and St Andrew's Taupo, the students and staff at King's College, Auckland, and our host families in Wellington. In addition to the singing, we've experienced the Thermal Springs at Taupo, walked by the Craters of the Moon, travelled on the Cruise Cat on Lake Taupo, visited Auckland Museum, the National Army Museum at Waiouru, and the spectacular Te Papa in Wellington. The weather's been great, except for 24 hours continuous rain in Wellington, which unfortunately put paid to any plans of singing at the Twenty20 at the Basin Reserve - but an impromptu combined Tiffin/Kotuku trip to 'Bowlarama' kept everyone happy.....
We're performing at the Michael Fowler Centre tonight, and on Sunday will be singing with Wellington Cathedral Choir as part of a special Shakespeare-themed Evensong. More updates will be appearing here in the next few days, continuing the boy's-eye view of the tour. In the meantime, you may like to hear my interview on Radio New Zealand Concert FM from earlier in the week, which gives more details of the tour and background to the inner workings of the choir. This is available to download at http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/upbt/upbt-20090216-1214-Simon_Toyne-048.mp3.
We're performing at the Michael Fowler Centre tonight, and on Sunday will be singing with Wellington Cathedral Choir as part of a special Shakespeare-themed Evensong. More updates will be appearing here in the next few days, continuing the boy's-eye view of the tour. In the meantime, you may like to hear my interview on Radio New Zealand Concert FM from earlier in the week, which gives more details of the tour and background to the inner workings of the choir. This is available to download at http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/upbt/upbt-20090216-1214-Simon_Toyne-048.mp3.
Sunday 15 February 2009
The First Treble Update
After saying goodbye to our parents on thursday morning a collective sigh of relief was heard - we were free at last. The check-in at Heathrow was surprisingly painless and soon we were on course to New Zealand. After almost 8 hours the 'on flight entertainment' was starting to become slightly monotonous and ,personally, I just couldn't bring myself to watch another episode of Faulty Towers...
After stopping off in LA for a fairly uneventful hour and a half we took off once more into the inky black skys, the home straight. A new feverish light of anticipation shone brightly in the Trebles' eyes as they ploughed their way through a plate of 'Pasta and a Beef sauce'.
As the sun rose in the skys, the light fell on an excited choir, with varying amounts of sleep, just 2 hours to go! Many false alarms sounded as people claimed to catch sight of Kiwi Country, before relising it was just a cloud.
The weather upon arrival was fairly dissapointing - grey skys and rain, but it soon lightened up. After a lunch stop we drove to Mount Eden where we had some truly breathtking views of Auckland from the rim of an Extinct Volcano. After that we arrived at the Formule 1 hotel, changed into something a little more clean and walked to the Skytower. The Skytower was amazing, with its glass floors, bungee jumping experiances and resturants. After a chinese (eat as much as you like - so full marks there!) we returned to our hotel for some much needed sleep - the jet-lag was certainly starting to catch up with us!
The next morning we woke bright and early, downed a quick continental breakfast and got on the coach to Holy Trinity Cathedral to take part in the Eucharist. During the long sermon we had ample time to admire what was a very beautiful church. They certainly did a much better job of building Guilford Cathedral than the original one! After enjoying nibbles (egg and ham sandwiches, tea, biscuits and cakes) we breifly visited Lynn TSB before going for lunch independent. Then it was back to the hotel for some free time (which is now). Later on we're participating in the evensong at Saint Marys. So far the tour has been brilliant, I've enjoyed every minute...
By Jack Hawkins, Year 8 .
After stopping off in LA for a fairly uneventful hour and a half we took off once more into the inky black skys, the home straight. A new feverish light of anticipation shone brightly in the Trebles' eyes as they ploughed their way through a plate of 'Pasta and a Beef sauce'.
As the sun rose in the skys, the light fell on an excited choir, with varying amounts of sleep, just 2 hours to go! Many false alarms sounded as people claimed to catch sight of Kiwi Country, before relising it was just a cloud.
The weather upon arrival was fairly dissapointing - grey skys and rain, but it soon lightened up. After a lunch stop we drove to Mount Eden where we had some truly breathtking views of Auckland from the rim of an Extinct Volcano. After that we arrived at the Formule 1 hotel, changed into something a little more clean and walked to the Skytower. The Skytower was amazing, with its glass floors, bungee jumping experiances and resturants. After a chinese (eat as much as you like - so full marks there!) we returned to our hotel for some much needed sleep - the jet-lag was certainly starting to catch up with us!
The next morning we woke bright and early, downed a quick continental breakfast and got on the coach to Holy Trinity Cathedral to take part in the Eucharist. During the long sermon we had ample time to admire what was a very beautiful church. They certainly did a much better job of building Guilford Cathedral than the original one! After enjoying nibbles (egg and ham sandwiches, tea, biscuits and cakes) we breifly visited Lynn TSB before going for lunch independent. Then it was back to the hotel for some free time (which is now). Later on we're participating in the evensong at Saint Marys. So far the tour has been brilliant, I've enjoyed every minute...
By Jack Hawkins, Year 8 .
Perspective Views of an ATB
I like long-haul flights. This was my first experience of life outside Europe, and my longest period of time without returning home - all without parents. Result! There was food, drink and more films than one can shake a stick at, in fact so much so that no-one did any of the schoolwork they intended to do.
Customs officials are surprisingly friendly, as I came to discover, always interested in our trip, even the surly official in LAX, with a large 9mm sticking out of his belt. This same official made us all get off the plane in transfer, take fingerprints, check passports and generally make sure we had no WMDs about our person. We then (having not entered the US) were turned 180 degrees and marched back onto the plane, rather invading our privacy somewhat - 'you and your choir entered our airspace. Therefore we must confirm that you are not terrorists or members of the Nazi party. Oh and you're not coming into our country anyway.' It nearly got even worse in Auckland customs. A large calamity made by one of the U6 nearly cost him a NZ$200 fine. Having declared some sweets, he then forgot to declare an apple, (which is prohibited in New Zealand as it may ruin the country's ecosystems or something ludicrous like that) but was just given a warning letter, as he pleaded that he was only 17 (which very few others in the 6th form seem to do so far this trip. It's a small coincidence the drinking age is 18, isn't it!), so wasn't fined.
We were expecting hot, humid, tropical summer weather, maybe with a nice breeze and beautiful scenery getting off the plane. In all honesty, I envy you reading this back home. At least we can have snow. It was raining cats and dogs (metaphorical ones, as opposed to the ones we had to 'dispose or declare' along with any food coming into Auckland International) and did so for another hour or so, even though it was Auckland's hottest day for 120 years or so on Thursday. Mr Toyne was evidnetly correct when he said that Auckland was the only place in the world where you could experience all 4 seasons over the space of a day.
We then took a tour of the city by coach, seeing the cathedral and other places of interest, briefly stopping at Mt. Eden, the largest of the 50 (thankfully extinct) volcanoes that Auckland is built over, and the Sky Tower, the tallest building in Auckland and also where we ate dinner. We then took a surprisingly long route to find our hotel, crossing over most bridges and circumnavigating most parts of the city numerous times, much to the discomfort of a certain baritone, who ,having made a vow with the rest of the choir not to use the on-board toilet (due to a very unfortunate smell in Germany), had to wait patiently (and surprisingly silently) to relieve himself at the hotel. This was getting increasingly funnier, until our choirmaster brought a stop to our merriment.
The Hotel Formule 1 is a 'lovely' building situated between two conveniently placed adult video shops and a nightclub (Mr Toyne chose where we were staying, didn't he?).
The breakfast room here - which is the same as the bar, the lift area and reception -is widely stocked, offering a wide continental breakfast (consisting of Coco Pops or a cereal that looks remarkably like dog biscuits, and toast) with instant coffee or tea. The fact it was instant was really very important. A certain member of staff was unimpressed by this and so this morning, having returned from his 20 minute 'run' - (hah, if any word was ever more inaccurately interpreted, it was that one) hurried off down the road for a cappuccino from another coffee shop. It could only really be one member of staff couldn't it?
Tom Nichols Year 11
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