From: "Philip Merryman" <phil_merryman@hotmail.com>

Date: Sun Apr 07, 2002 03:15:34 AM Etc/GMT

Subject: Ever been had?

Hi everyone!

In my last communal mail I told you about the story of the village of Rotomoa and how the dance called the Haka came about.

My non-UK friends, and especially those for whom English is not their native language, may be excused. However, for the rest of you Poms the following translations may help make the story a little clearer:

Rotamoa = Rotor Mower

Ovvamoa = Hover Mower

Aving'u Ona = Having you on

Kempe van Heijr = Campervan Hire

What was the date ???????????

The Haka IS a dance performed by new Zealanders before a rugby game. There are many different versions of a haka. However there are several stories about how the one used by the All Blacks rugby team came about. The most accepted story is probably even more bizarre than my ficticious one! However as the book about it is somewhere on its way back to the UK you'll have to wait until I get home to find out.

Now maybe you all saw through it straight away and treated it with the cntempt it deserved, or maybe you all really did believe it. I suspect the truth is somewhere in between. I'll leave it to your own conscience!

The stuff about the parrots IS true! Just an excuse to make the "Pining for thr Fiords" Monty Python Reference!

Share and Enjoy!!

Phil