THE VINTAGE RUGBY CARNIVAL – CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND.
SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2008
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTCHURCH
ISSUE 2, JANUARY 5 - 2007

*Explosions of joy are normally few and far between. If you join the Vintage Whines there are explosions all over the place*

1. HAPPY NEW YEAR – Good luck on that weight loss program.

2. There are a number of Old Boys tours in 2008. Some are going to Edinburgh, Scotland and some are going to Christchurch, New Zealand. The Vintage Whines will be attending the Christchurch Carnival, which begins Sunday September 14 through Saturday September 20, 2008.

3. You can be from any club in any country to play for the Whines. All you need to be is over 35 years old. Wives, girlfriends and children are welcome.

If you're like to come with the Whines to New Zealand please contact me at geoffandrews@gmail.com for more details including costs.

4. Following is the Carnival program…………….

Sunday September 14 – teams arrive in Christchurch and will be met and transferred to their selected accommodation. Later in the day the Opening Ceremony will include a parade of teams walking through the city to the Welcome Party with a Maori Welcome, speeches of welcome and continuous music and entertainment, a substantial finger food buffet, three hours of unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks - all in the company of good rugby friends. Transfers will be provided to and from the function.

Monday September 15 – teams will be transferred to the 3 host clubs for the first round of games. Refreshments will be available throughout the day and special areas will be setup for post match hospitality. The host clubs will be arranging evening meals and continuous entertainment.

Tuesday September 16 - today is a day to take one of the many tours available. Check them out at http://www.southern-world.com/vintagerugby/sightseeing.asp NOTE: local tour prices are in NZ Dollars. This evening will be the famous Vintage Whines pub-crawl.

Wednesday September 17 - the second round of games. The host clubs will be arranging evening meals and continuous entertainment.

Thursday September 18 – today is the Whines golf outing. If you don't want to golf today is a perfect day to explore Christchurch or go on one of the other tours available at http://www.southern-world.com/vintagerugby/sightseeing.asp - NOTE: local tour prices are in NZ Dollars. Tonight is the Whines team dinner with presentation of the Tim Cassidy Award.

Friday September 19 – the final round of games. Early evening buses will transfer teams to the Grand Finale Dine and Dance function. It will be a fantastic night to remember, featuring awards, non-stop entertainment, great music, a table-served 3-course meal and continuous beer, wine and soft drinks.

Saturday September 20 – its time to say farewell to Christchurch and all your friends – until the 2010 World Vintage Rugby Carnival. Buses will transfer all groups to their point of departure for onward travel.

5. Thanks to the anonymous Whines who sent in their New Years Resolutions

"Fight global hunger... starting with this Ding Dong."
"Quit squeezing pimples, especially other people's."
"Work on building buns of mush to fit in better at next year's Vintage Rugby Carnival."
"Try to tone down my sexual magnetism."
"Say "Thank You" afterwards -- because even goats appreciate a bit of courtesy."
"Bathe -- right after the fall season."
"Finaly inschtall thet sutpid spell check prgram."
"Get out of these handcuffs; retrieve those faked pictures of me with the goat."
"Improve bench press max from already impressive 38 lbs. to phenomenal 43 lbs."
"Stop writing resolutions during work hou-- oh shit, gotta go!"