And the crowd went wild!!!

It felt good to sit in the bar of our hotel in Manchester this afternoon watching a thrilling cricket match. The sound was down low but being the avid cricket watcher that I am, that didn't stop me from becoming animated in a crowded bar full of English teachers recovering from a hard day of 'conferencing'

It was Sky Sport - what more could you ask for as The Cook and I sampled a Tetleys and fed Morrocan Lamb Crisps to our son and daughter! It was Australia versus South Africa. The score was tied at 213 with two balls left to bowl and no wickets left and then there was a godawful runout as the Sth African's lost the plot. I shouted out loudly 'run ya b*****r!' to which heads turned at once to me and then to the screen. Unluckily for me, this game took place in 1999 at Edgbaston. We were watching a repeat of a game long ago played. Not only had I showed my hand in supporting the Seth Efricans, but I'd also made a complete tit of myself.

The OC roared with laughter and the YC, like Ken Barlow, remained perpetually perplexed. I really must be more 'avid' and actually keep up with the draw for the Super Eight lest they put me on the next boat home.

Had a good day at the conference. Listened to an enthralling professor from the University of Sheffield on the topic of "Digital Beginnings: Young Children, New Media and Digital Literacy" - it was looking at the Foundation Stage (our Kindergarten/Pre-school type age) and into early Primary. Still, it was food for thought as I can guarantee that the students we will be meeting in our high schools over the next five years will be well versed in digital learning and interaction.

The evening was taken up by a festive dinner and a performance by The Oddsocks who performed The Tempest. Sadly, I forgot to take my camera as the 'enchanted trifle' ( a man dressed as a huge cake with a red swimming hat on representing the cherry) was truly a sight to behold.

The fandamily spent the morning together walking around Manchester. In the afternoon they attacked the huge load of washing that was days overdue at a laundrette in the building (there are huge benefits in staying in University accommodation). We now smell a little better and our clothes are a little whiter.

We get the feeling that Terry Jones must have read one of my earlier blogs because what should we see in the Guardian this morning but this and it's right up our alley. You know what The Cook and I are like! It's nice to know we share more than just humour with the Pythons.

As Kiwis we know already that this is a small world, but tonight I met two teachers from a comprehensive school here in England who waved goodbye to a Dunedin teacher as she returned to KVC last year, and they lament her absence from their staffroom. Do I know her? Of course I do! This made me very tight with the crew at my table and I left them to continue the quiz with our team name of "Kaikorai" - I couldn't last the distance (so to speak)and returned here to the hotel to rest before another busy day. I hope that a little bit of Otago luck rubs off on them and they clean up the prizes.

Kia kaha Kaikorai!