Rugby World Cup

New Zealand hosted the Rugby World Cup during September and October 2011, in Taupo we were fortunate to host training for the South African, Welsh and Irish teams. The strategy of "Stadium New Zealand" was adopted by the country with enthusiasm, we managed to watch 46 of the 48 games on TV, Maggie and I also visited Auckland where the French team beat England by 19 points to 12.

We will also recall the hundreds of camper-vans using Taupo as the midpoint of a journey from Auckland to Wellington, every other van seemed to be occupied by ebullient Frenchmen and women. I had the pleasure of taking several for a trip on Lake Taupo. One in particular that comes to mind was Jean-Emile. He and a colleague booked for a morning trip and emerged from their overnight camper-van with the flair and enthusiasm that only the French exhibit.

After my usual Safety briefing we started the engine and were about to head out when I jokingly said that we would provide coffee after the first fish had been brought to the boat. With only a "non" from Jean-Emile he leapt from the boat, made for his van, and disappeared into its interior. He emerged a minute or so later clutching a small flask.

Jean-Emile boarded once again and announced with great gusto that he would be awarding himself and his colleague "le cognac" for a safely landed trout.

We set off having enjoyed this diversion, Jean-Emile was a superb raconteur, we hoped his fishing skills were as well developed as his humour. We did not have to wait long before he brought his first Lake Taupo trout to the side of the boat and, true to his promise out came "le cognac" which he proceeded to sample with great enthusiasm. "Le Cognac" had been distilled for Jean-Emile by a friend of his especially for his trip to New Zealand. Each time we caught a fish the level in the flask continued to drop. Unfortunately by the time we had returned to our berth "le cognac" had seen so many fish caught that our guests were only ale to offer us a modest taste of their national liqueur.

I have been promised a return visit by our guests but with their wives as escorts, ah well c'est la vie.

Oh, and the fishing, well I consider it would be improper for me to discuss the number of trout taken from Lake Taupo on this occasion!

Skipper