Hong Kong

The pollution in Hong Kong is really becoming a problem, and we all felt somewhat affected by it, as well as the visibility being very poor.  It cleared some towards the end of our week, but more and more people are complaining about it and it ranks high on the list of the World's most polluted cities.  Most of it comes from Shenzen, over the border in China, but some is also believed to be because of lack of emission controls in Hong Kong itself.

The Sevens rugby was the best ever.  A changed format into two leagues - World Series and Qualifier, separates the Greats from the Minnows, so all the games were closer and there were no huge scores as in previous years, much more exciting to watch.  The closeness of the games may have had an effect on beer sales as less visits were made to the bar!

England looked pretty indifferent, losing to Samoa in the Pool, then to Fiji in the Cup semi-final and to South Africa in the play-off for 3rd place.  New Zealand looked unbeatable and favourites for the Cup, but Fiji stepped up their game and put in an electric performance to take the Cup.

Potatoes in the crowd!

Crusaders on red horses!

The South Stand was full by 10am on Saturday, but was curiously later on Sunday, probably due to the hangovers of the imbibers on Saturday.  Many more people had fancy dress than ever before, the population also had a lower average age than previous years, and the security atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed than in the last 15 years.  Even jugs of beer were making it into the upper levels, despite prohibition notices.  It seems that the organisers have realised that a heavy handed security approach is counter productive.

France lost every game, delighting many as it would, although it didn't silence the noisy crowd of French school kids several rows back from us, who had colonised a block as they had done two years ago!  They seemed more interested in constant trucking up and down the steps than watching the rugby.  Hong Kong broke the mould and won all their Pool games to go top and into the Qualifier quarter-finals with the prospect of promotion.  But, a player was red-carded in the opening minute and, despite a heroic effort from the other 6 to hold it to a draw by full time, they lost to Japan in sudden-death extra time.