So a friend enquired when the posts would start getting more interesting. She’s a good friend so I’ll not name her. Let’s just call her Sarah. I guess the reality is possibly not for a while yet. If at all. But I’ll give it a go. 

The day started with school work. You know that, “oh shit I forgot to write those letters” moment.  So letters and a few emails knocked out before heading down to the Peppermill for breakfast with the rest of Team Halladale and a couple of wannabes from Ngaio. I guess the owner of the Peppermill will notice a drop in takings over the next seven weeks.

Home. Then remembered that I had to go to MItre 10 to swap the bulbs (of the electrical type) that I had bought yesterday. I had remembered they were screw in not bayonet but sadly I bought fat stalks not thin. Such is the complexity of the electrical arrangements of our house. How many different types of light bulb can a house have and what does it mean? I am sure that there is a PhD thesis in there somewhere.

Then having finally locked up the bag it was time to head out for lunch with the parents. Now that they have moved to Whitby Lakes we are starting to get quite familiar with the menu at the Co-Op. Time for a frequent fliers card there I think. The Calamari (mine), the prawns (Ju’s) and the roast vege salad (Mum’s) were all great. So was the Aloha Pizza apparently. Didn’t really speak of old Napoli to me but hey…….

Team Halladale taxi service duly rocked up at 4:15. Thanks guys. It was a tearful farewell at the airport even though I did reassure Geoff that we’ll see him again soon…..

Good flight to Auckland although I have difficulty with people reading newspapers on the plane. So much rustling and carrying on. Although it didn’t stop me falling asleep soon after take off. Would have slept the whole way if the woman sitting next to me hadn’t prodded me – starting to snore apparently. 

Now in the Koru lunge at Auckland. A quick skip through duty free. Not much bought. We’re having to be careful with our luggage – the Ryanair flights to and from Spain restrict us to 20kg which is quite a challenge for us!! But did get myself some Kiehls Age Defender Eye Repair – lifting, anti-wrinkle, dark circle reducing eye cream for men. Given that it cost nearly $4 a ml I’m expecting significant results!!

90 minutes to departure. Looking forward to getting on board and snuggling down for some drug assisted sleep across the Pacific. Looking cold in the UK. But no shaking going on….