Brugge - bikes, beer & bloody good chocolate

Hello all - seems like a while - here are a few snaps of our first bank holiday - well spent in Brugge, Belgium. We didn't really know what to expect and had a great time exploring this quaint little city biking around the canals. I absolutely loved seeing everyone on bikes - made so much easier by the fantastic cycleways (and lack of steep Wellington hills).

We also went on a Chocolate Crawl around the many specialty shops, did the standard canal cruise and a peek at the local crafts. Was great to bump into Tom and Olivia on the street and have some mates to catch up with and enjoy a couple of local beers.




We tried to bike to the coast but had no idea where to go so decided instead to return back to the comfort of more beer and chocolate.




We had a quick look at Brussels before we got back on the Eurostar - though not surprisingly all we did there was buy beer and chocolate.

The Oval - one for the cricket historians

Ah, the Oval. Where England first lost to Australia in 1886, prompting newspaper headlines that English cricket had died and providing the catalyst for the trophy now known as the Ashes. The sortof place that really floats my boat.

An appropriate place to catch up with Frasier on his second day in London and enjoy a good day of cricket. After 3 false starts, the game and the weather eventually fired up and we saw plenty of high quality cricket.

Full scorecard

First pics of Oscar Edward Elliott

New Zealand - 1 drew with Charlton Athletic - 1

It was a big day out for a few of the kiwis in the London region as the All Whites were hosted by premiership team - Charlton Athletic. Two weeks out from the start of the Premiership season, the atmosphere in "the Valley" was relaxed which meant we were able to mingle with the players prior to kick off, enjoy some Corporate hospitality and enjoy premium seats on halfway for only 10 squids.

As for the game, the kiwis played admirably for a deserved 1 all draw in a good quality game - a cracking goal from the magnificently skillful Marcus Bent put Charlton ahead in the first half before a gutsy run from Jarrod Smith (who will always be referred to as son of NZ wicketkeeper, Ian Smith), set up the kiwi equaliser.

Before the game with Denmark international Dennis Rommedahl:

A few pre match beers - fanks to Charlton's new Sponsors!

Baby Oscar

Just a quick note to tell you about the latest member of the Elliott clan.

Oscar Elliott was born at around 11am on the 4th of August. He weighs 8lbs and apparently is a bit of a cone head due to a forceps delivery - but is otherwise perfect:) Pleased to hear that they didn't name him after Blair's favourite Coronation Street character - Fred. The loud, fat butcher!

No photos yet - but will post some when they come through.

G xx