I was away from January 26 until February 10. The day after, was the 39th anniversary of my arrival in Australia from the UK as a new resident. I determined to rectify the omission of favouring other overseas destinations over New Zealand after my return from the UK and Europe at the beginning of August, 2024. During my stay in England I was given advance notice of the wedding of my ex brother-in-law’s daughter at a castle in Ireland in August 2026. Planning two overseas trips in the same year was a novelty and a challenge to my finances, though I paid for the New Zealand flights, insurance, accommodation and tours between August 8 and December 17 2025.
The Air New Zealand flight from Brisbane to Auckland on a 787, my favourite plane, was excellent; the food good, and I watched Paddington in Peru, which I had missed in the cinema. I’m averse to lugging my case long distances. Alas, due to a stuff-up retrieving it at Auckland’s International Terminal, thanks to our flight’s luggage being unloaded onto two carousels, my already tight deadline to check in for my flight to Kerikeri, seemed unachievable, in the absence of… Read Complete Text