This domestic executive has had more excitement than she normally does in the last twelve hours. A nail biting finish in the England V France rugby match this morning followed the New Zealand Opera Turandot performance last night in town.

Connections between opera and sport were made when Nessun Dorma as chosen by the BBC for the opening credits for the 1990 World Cup. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mPZ5Wbrunsg

It’s fair to say that I’d rather have less excitement in the final next week for England but it’s labour day here (yes a day off from work) which means that we will at least have a day to recover, whatever the result!

Turandot performed by the NZ Opera in Wellington. Amazing production borrow from the Welsh National Opera that put a modern twist on the tale. Even if Nessum Dorma hadn’t been sung it would have been one of the best opera’s I’ve seen.

There’s nothing the kiwis love more is an event. It doesn’t matter too much what the event is and whether they are truly interested in it but if it’s an event, then a ticket must be bought and a social extravaganza organised around it (usually involving getting dressed up in strange clothes and having your faced painted).

Can you imagine what’s going to happen to the box office now that Becks and possible Posh are coming to town. Galaxy FC are to play Pheonix (our new footie team) here in Wellington and I’m pretty sure that there aren’t going to be many tickets bought by football fans.

I for one will be queuing up to see Golden Boots in action. Hope his new football strip is more attractive than the Man U one used to be!

This will be a true Wellington occasion – just to prove it, the Council chipped in to pay the appearance fees to get the players to come over to Wellington. Big events such as these swamp the economy with lots of dosh as people stay, eat, party and shop in town.

Wellington does big occasions well and it brings a real sense of excitement to have big names in town – whether its sport, art, culture or music you can be sure that the Wellingtonians will go out and have a ball. And who can blame them – any excuse to get away from NZ TV!

I can’t be sure but as well as having the highest number of cafes proportionate to the population Wellington must have the largest number of cinemas. There are all shapes and sizes and a film festival running in one cinema or another all the time.

Trips to the movies were regular things when we first moved to New Zealand but after a few evenings being blown up Courtney Place by a southerly whilst we waited ages for a bus we seemed to settle into a routine of DVDs on the TV instead.

To avoid becoming couch potatoes we renewed efforts this week to get back out to the movies and think we’ve found the perfect solution. A lounge cinema!

Not a new concept I know but a growing breed in NZ. Small cimenas (often with more than 1 screeen) with excellent cafes with plenty of parking. The real treat is your very own sofa to sit in, complete with cushion and lovely wide arms to put your drinks and snacks on.

We went to see Notes on a scandal which was a fabulous movie and well worth watching blog readers if you get the chance. Dame Judi was very spooky but still up to the usual high standard of acting.

Anyway, the point of it all is that New Zealanders have civilised movie going into a fine art. You can get a drink (alcoholic if you like) and take it, and the accompanying nibbles with you in to the cinema. If it wasn’t for the other 30 people also on sofas eating their nibbles you’d think you were actually in your own lounge.

You’ll be pleased to know I am sure that there is a lounge cinema in Upper Hutt (10 minutes drive from Kaitoke) so we’ll continue to be well served when we move to the country.