They Speak English (ish)

So, eventually got here landed about 11.15. I think between us we managed to get about an hour's snooze, but didn't feel too bad for the effects. A quick fight with very organised and big Maori passport control, you don't want to argue with these guys !!! then off to get the cases and then have all your bags x-rayed again. This time it's the ministry of farm and fisheries looking for food and germs. I hadn't cleaned my pair of walking shoes properley so the very kind man took them away and washed them. Not too sure if it was bleach or disinfectant, but they've gone a funny colour since, then through to arrivals.

Dave and Helen haven't changed a jot in 2 years since they got here and it was really great to see them again.

About an hour's drive to their place with a running commentary from Dave on driving standards etc. After reading the book and seeing the series 'Grumpy Old Men' on BBC2 Dave definately qualifies and has done for years. By the time we got our feet back on the floor both R and I were getting dizzy spells. 12 noon and we had managed about 3 hrs sleep in the last 36.

Their place seems a lot smaller than I had imagined but Dave has been going flat out since May on a 2 storey extension to the back complete with wraparound 1st floor deck that doubles the size of the place. They look out over a small privately owned nature reserve then a road and a few houses across the bay toward Auckland. I could spend all day in a chair just looking. Parrots and Mina? birds are local and the greenfinches, kingfishers, starlings etc have the same name but they've all swapped plummage, so it's a bit confusing, especailly when the pigeons are a protected species.

WE struggle through till about 5 when Rose bailed out and went to bed. The rest of us went off to the chippie for some steak burgers (real steak) and sat down by the boat club to eat. By the time we got back to the house at eight I was experiencing spells of missed conversation so decided to call it a day as well.

Tuesday

Sun comes up about 6

we know cos we were awake at 4.45 and on our third cup of tea by then!!
trying to keep the noise down but woke Hels early as well. She works part time in Westpac(gov't bank) so disappeared about 11. so Dave took us off shopping!!!!

now for anybody that knows Dave, this is unheard of and needs recording, perhaps somethings have changed.

Pottered about and both crashed about 4.30 (dizzy spells again) for a late siesta, but got up about 6 for more tea and chat. Went to a really tacky looking but really great vietnamese reataurant for a meal. They serve complimentary tea (not recommended) but big portions and little money, first class. Home for about 10 and enough for another day.

I'll try and sort some pictures and get them posted but until then it's off for steaks and snags on the barbie (she's a small blonde lady who likes to pay for other peoples food apparentley)

M

19.22 NZ

Half WayThere

Not too sure what time it actually is, it seems to vary every time I wake up or eat !!

So far so good, Sam took us to the airport and got away without getting a parking ticket but I think she bust her cam belt on the way home and had to be rescued by the AA, so it's not just me that suffers from cars breaking down on holiday !! Last we heard was that she had been recovered and was being 'lifted' back to Swindon, still, she sounded quite happy on the phone.

Flight was ok, but who can sleep on planes for more than 10 mins at a time?

Only saw two famous faces, both were sitting a couple of rows behind us. One was Oliver Tobias, seventies drama hunk (hope he doesn't read this !! he's still a big bloke) but like the rest of us looks like S**t after a 12 hour flight. The other guy's name I can't remenber, but if anyone can remember the actor that played the part of the butler that fell for his boss in a 70s sitcom. Honor Blackman played the mother if that helps

anybody any ideas????

tried getting the moblies sorted, but got conused and went for another coffee and a fag. All the smoke rooms are outside, which is ok, but with air con it's 20 degrees warmer outside.

Rose has crashed on a lounger while I have a type.

WORD TO THE WISE

If ever you travel this way, don't bother with duty free in England, 200 fags #13pounds, here they're 6 punds for the same thing.

Managed to resist buying the $3000 dollar bottle of whisky

but we have to come back this way.

OK Local time is 17:45 = UK 11:45 Sun and our next flight boards in 2 hrs

laters

M

Getting ready to go

11:00 Friday 22/10/04
I've had a calender on my desktop since we booked this jolly, I think it started at about 166 days and now we're down to 1.

Cases are packed, hopefully e-tickets will work, friends said goodbye to and now just have to justify my existence at work for a few more hours and that's it.

Flight #139 tomorrow at 18.30 out of heathrow 3 to Singapore then a 5 hour layover and on to Auckland arriving about midnight Sunday (UK time) 11.20 in NZ.

Being a 20 a day smoker it could be an interesting trip, but what can you do? (note to self - remember patches)

A long and very interseting year so far, a birth, a wedding, two deaths and Rose's treatment and now if not THE holiday of a lifetime, certainly the TRIP, never so far south or east, but at least thay speak a version of English and drive obn the right side of the road (the Left)

No intention of writing to this every day, but hopefully keep up with what we've done and where we've been as often as possible.

Feel free to add hints and tips for getting the most out of NZ or the short space of time we have in Singapore (5hrs going, 9hrs coming back)

laters

off for more coffee