Day 8
Friday 13 March 2026, was another wet day in Waihi but it was our last day. After breakfast, we went to say goodbye to Triona and Liam as well as drop off any perishables we had in our fridge. It has been a fun, albeit, tiring time BUT it was nice to see them both again and I know it was mega important to Di. After the goodbyes, we did a small drive down the main street to take some photo's. In it's heyday, Waihi was a bustling gold mining town and so remains of the old mines are still there along with some nice street sculpturs to look at.
And so we bade a fond farewell to Waihi (for this time 'round at least) and we hit the road to Auckland via the Karangahake Gorge but his time we were able to stop to take a photo.
Then onto Auckland and our accomodation for the next 4 nights, the QT Auckland. Great location and just what you'd expect from a QT hotel
After checking-in, we went for a stroll around the loacl area befor heading back to the hotel to get ready for our evening's entertainment.
If yesterday was an indulgence day for me, tonight was my indulgence revisited!!!
We were picked up and taken to Go Media Stadium to watch the Raiders v Warriors game, which included the Reserve Grade as the curtain raiser. Usually, my idea of heaven...
However, we had to sit through a game where the Raiders reserves were at best, atrocious! Final score, theylost 44-12. So, all hope was on the Raiders NRL side, who looked good in the warm-up. The pre-game team introductions was very good. But, despite us being told by all and sundry, that there would be no more rain, the heavens opened up just after kick-off and despite an early try, we were NEVER in the hunt. Luckily, rain apparel was taken anyway. A final scoreline of 40-6 and a couple of very wet bodies... Another way to look at is a n aggregate of 84-18, which means the U21's will really need to have a great win tomorrow against the Warriors if the "ledger is to be balanced"... Nevermind, the sun will rise again tomorrow, or will it?