10-45am: Arrive at Hamilton airport. It only seems like yesterday I was here. Actually it was just three days ago for Fieldays. Add the life of a travelling salesman, to that of a dairy farmer, on to the list of jobs I could not do! Te Kuiti here we come. It's only taken me 57 years to get there.
12 midday: Lunch is served at King Country Rugby Union HQ. There is a veritable feast of former All Blacks on offer. Sir Brian Lochore, Stan Meads, Earle Kirton, Sid Going, Bryan Williams, Billy Bush and Graham (Moose) Whiting to name but a few. I have a very pleasant chat with a very pleasant English chap at the men's urinal. We don't shake hands but I tell the current Lions' manager, John Spencer, that I can remember him (and his flowing blond locks) playing for the 1971 Lions against Southland. He says he remembers the game well but long flowing locks are a distant memory.
1-30pm: The moment we've all been waiting for, the unveiling of the statue paying homage to Pinetree Meads and the launch of the Meads Brothers Exhibition. Speakers include the Te Kuiti-born MC Keith Quinn, local Waitomo mayor (and driving force behind the project) Bryan Hanna, NZ Rugby President Maurice Trapp, B J Lochore, the aforementioned Mr. Spencer, Stan Meads and then the great man himself. He is very frail and very quiet. You can hear a pin drop, despite there being several thousand gathered in the main street of Te Kuiti.
3-30pm: Following a live cross with Kerre McIvor on Newstalk ZB and Mark Watson on Radio Sport, plus recording interviews for my own show with Quinn, Stan Meads and Sir David Fagan, I reckon I've earned the right for a beer at the Waitete Rugby Clubrooms. At the spiritual home of the Meads brothers I get to meet loads of King Country rugby legends plus more than a few Lions' fans. Much as I love a good craft beer these days, when in Rome, I drink Pinetree's tipple of choice, Tui. It would be sacrilege to do anything other.
4-30pm: It's off to the Les Munro (former mayor and WWII war hero) Centre for the cocktail function. A wonderful spread greets us and more heart-warming speeches ensue. Bee Gee Williams is all class and Pinetree once again has the audience spellbound in his hand. Then Keith Quinn and rugby commentator Paul Allison steal the show with a brilliantly comical piece on how to commentate complex Pacifika rugby names.
7-30pm: Remarkably, after being a very doubtful starter for his own party, Sir Colin is still holding court and chugging away, albeit very slowly, on a Tui stubbie. The large crowd is very respectful of his health. Like many, I get to spend 30 seconds with him. I hope I get another chance in the future.
7-45pm: Time to hit the road to Hamilton. My pre-arranged lift with Arran Pene, Matt Cooper and Stu Forster does not eventuate as they leave without me! I suspect someone got in their ear and warned them I'd bore them senseless with my rugby trainspotting stories on the one hour drive north. Thankfully Mayor Hanna's brother, Rod, takes pity and gets me back to the Tron.
This day will live long in my memory. Thanks for the memories Pinetree.
Jamie Mackay is the host of The Country which airs on Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport, 12-1pm, weekdays. jamie@thecountry.co.nz
