9th Day in a Chic September

Today's chic post has been overtaken by a major event in New Zealand's history. Today is the first day in the 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament and it's hosted by us.

For those of you in North America, imagine the Super Bowl where every state supports the same team. That's what it is like here with the All Blacks. Oh, and by the way, this Super Bowl lasts seven weeks!

It wasn’t until a few days ago that I realised what a big deal this was when couriers asked us if we were going to be ‘closing early on Friday’. We thought about it and realised there wouldn’t be many people around – either they would be attending festivities or going home early to avoid mayhem traffic.

Just to tie it in with the French, this being a French Chic blog and all, rugby is one of the biggest sports in France, with crowds of up to 80,000 regularly attending club matches in Paris.

I live with a sports-mad man, which is quite amusing to me because I grew up in a family which is not into sport at all.

I'm not going to turn into a butch rugby-girl, but today I took advantage of the fine early Spring weather and we headed downtown to join the crowds and soak up the atmosphere. Naturally we stopped and had a pub lunch and pint on the way.

(Top photo): giant rugby ball down by the Viaduct Harbour

(Below): building windows festooned


Me heading downtown


Amongst the crowds


A beautiful blue sky and the Sky tower


Where the All Blacks stay when they are in town apparently


French fans with decorated berets (aren't they handsome?)


French fans wearing flags


When we were here downtown the area was filling up fast - we heard it was 100,000 plus people.


After mingling with the crowds for a short time we decided we liked our own company more and went home. It was such luxury to both be away from the shop during opening hours! We were trying to remember the last time we had lunch out together (it's been years).

Lucky for us our two-storey house has a good view of the Sky Tower and tonight we watched a 3-tonne fireworks display from our bedroom window. It was rather spectacular. Some may say it's a waste of money and I tend to agree, but it was pretty all the same.

Vive le All Blacks!