SAffas in Cardiff

Cardiff baby!

So having watched the Boks klap the French 52-10 in Paris about 10 years ago now, and Cath having watched the Boks beat the Irish in Dublin about eight years ago, we figured it was time to get together and watch the Boks beat the Welsh in Cardiff. Of course, the Welsh are 6-Nations champions, so we weren't taking them lightly, but hey, we'd never been to Wales so why not...

We even got an extra ticket for Emma as her surprise birthday prezzie - but then she decided she wanted to go home and be with her boyfriend, Delano so we needed a back-up plan. Step up Kate Petersen - Cath's old high school friend, now living in Wales, and who was keen to see the game. Bless her, she even organised us a place to stay. What a bonus!

What can I say about Wales - well, you've just gotta love the Welsh language, which was everywhere. In some languages, place names stay pretty much the same - not Welsh baby - as the board above indicates. Note the Welsh name for Swansea (Abertawe). Ay caramba.



So we stayed with Kate's folks and just outside their house, nestled in the middle of suburbia, was this cool field, complete with tons of sheep. Was really beautiful, well, apart from all the sheep crap.

On match day we headed to Cardiff where we first went and did a tour of the castle. This was the fort bit outside which we climbed up frankly, being match day and all, felt obliged to give our flag a flutter.

In the castle there were dragons everywhere, it being the Welsh symbol and all, and Cath and I tried to intimidate these ones. I know what you're thinking but don't worry, it was a girl dragon that I was flicking tongues with.

This guy was guarding the castle - it was only right we posed with him.

This was on the tour of the castle - just to show you how my beautiful wife walked around (YOU SEE, it isn't just me!!!). Photos were not allowed but I got this one before he told us that so ssssh. Don't tell.

Now Cath tells me that you won't want to look at tons of my (our) rugby photos but screw you... I went to great effort to take these - and it's a hobby of mine - you'll look and you'll like it!

Before

I thought this might be a sacrificial goat, that the Boks would get to braai or something if we won, but alas, it was just a mascot for the band geezers.



Anthems and getting ready for kickoff. Note Schalk in the photo above, second player from the left - he's a legend!

Scrum time.

Us on their tryline and them on ours. Difference - we crossed theirs - twice.

Lineouts. You've just gotta love Victor and Bakkies.

Random guy enjoys the moment near the end. I thought this kinda said what I was feeling, namely, kinda like shouting "Yessssssssssssssss!"

The Welsh penalties. I swear that bloody Irish ref had only one arm in the second half - and it was the one closest to the Welsh. Feckin eejit. Thank God our defence didn't let in any tries.

Anyhoo, final score: 20-15 to the Boks.

Our beautiful flag. There were quite a few around in the 74,100-odd crowd.

Cath and my Schalk wigs. Did i mention he's a legend?

John Smit gets a random trophy for winning.



Kate and the two nutters.


So after the game we went out for supper with Kate and her man and then drove home - but not before a quick stopoff at the theatre at Cardiff Bay for a quick photie.

Kate was a real honey the whole trip, and on sunday, before dropping us off at the train station, she gave us a drive around - and down to the Mumbles in swansea - where we had a mean hot chocolate and ice cream - despite it being about 3 degrees outside.

We also went to a beach and grabbed a few momentos, Cath tried to steal a whole beach's worth of rocks in the hood of her jacket. Okay that was me, secretly loading her up one at a time before she nearly fell backwards from the weight. "Are you guys up to something?"

"No, no," snigger snigger.

And then last stop - a castle on the way home... where Cath and I frightened the sheep. Stoopid sheep.






Kate earned maximum respek with a dress, despite the above-mentioned three degrees.



And then back home. Cool weekend, thanks to Kate.

That's all our leave until Christmas now... when we visit Martin in London again and then go skiing with Louise in Italy over new year! Bring it on.