Franz Josef - Wanaka

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Left Franz Josef. Had a good nights sleep ao feeling refreshed.

The weather wasnt great but once we reached Lake Matheson the sun had punched through the clouds. We took some photos of the lake which had reflections of Mt cook in it. Spent around an hour walking around the lake. Further down the road we were able to take some photos of the Fox glacier.

We stopped of a t some really small town for lunch (id made myself some peanut butter sandwiches). Then got going and entered the Haast Valley. Really beautiful, more like a gorge, incredibly rugged. We stopped for a short wile in the valley to see a large waterfall.

Slept a little on the bus (which is why I cant remember much about this day.)

Anyway we reached Wanaka by late afternoon. Once checked in we went for a wonder into town and down to the beautiful lake. The sun was out everything was great. Wanaka is a really sound place, small but it has everything you'd want.

We saw an outdoor photo exhibition and the Wanaka milenium project (very simple 2000 years of history on floor tiles snacking along the lakeside road, with reach tile representing one year and on it enscribed an event that happened in that year.)

Later we went across the road for a cheap all you can eat barbi. At the bar that evening a pool tornement was put on. Entries consisted of mainly people from the bus and one local (who was really good - spends alot of time here I guess).

Names were drawn out of a hat and a table drawn up. Unfortunatly all the good players ended up on on e half of the table. Local boy, Rob (who plays alot of snooker and was the favourit to win), Euan and Danny (another top player).

Unfortunatly I was drawn into this half of the table.

First game I had was against Euan. Close contest and I played the best pool Id played in a while (maybe the idea of competition helped improve my general game.) It was clever pool, not the hit it and hope tactic I normaly employ.

Won that one and had danny next. Didnt play quite as well, but neither was danny. We were matching each other ball for ball until danny prematuraly potted the black. Some of the Jason Murphy luck! Think I could of had him anyway. By this point Rob was playing the Kiwi in what proved to be quite a contest. You could tell Rob was up for it by the way he was moving around the table. Rob won nicely and he would be my next opponant.

Danny added to the presure by pointing out that the game I was about to play against Rob (semi final) was essential the final since the chap we waould draw up in the real final was what he described as easy pickings.

Having a feeling I would win the toss (heads always wins) I set up the balls so that the two balls closest to the bottem pockets were stripes (therefore more likely to go in on the break - I prefer playing with stripes).

I won the toss broke and potted a stripe. I potted another then fluffed my next shot. Being quite up for this I swore loudly. Rob potted 3 balls on the trot then missed the next. Left with a fine cut for the middle pocket. Potted it and started playing some of the best pool since forever. I could see rob was getting uncomfortable and worried in his seat as I potted everything and had only the black left. Rob still had three balls left on the table, but I knew I had to pot the black now otherwise he would. Left myself with another fine cut, but this time completely missed. Rob then potted everything including the black. Never mind at least I made him work for it.

In the final Rob demolished Freddy (still had 5 balls on the table). Rob was declared champ and got his voucher prize for a free yard of ale (which he would collect in queenstown).

Afterwards went back to the dorm, wrote some notes for my travelblog (falling behind slowely) the sleept.

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Comments

[Devs]

Pool
Your pool story reminds me a lot of the Wheatley pool competition. That night was awesome when you beat Chris (didn't he accidentally pot the black as well at one point?) Then there was the game against Big foot that you really should have won. God he was such a knob. I feel confident that if you had won, you would have won the overall uni title. Always the Bridesmaid - never the bride.

[00jase]

Cheers bud
Cheers Devs, very kind of you. It was sort of panning out a bit like wheatly but essentially ended up the sameway. Ye Chris was so much the better player. Somehow won the first game then he kicked my arse in the second but when potting the black the white also went in.