Finally the big day had arrived. After a spot of something to eat down at the bach, I got back home to get ready for the wedding. After about an hour under the air con I was about ready to hit to the road with the others via a private bus to Chardy Ridge. This was to be the location of the wedding of ceremony between our friends Helen and James. It was an absoultely brilliant sunshining day (if that is a word ?), and from the vantage point overlooking the whole island, the Sky Tower in Auckland could clearly be seen. The wedding ceremony was held on top of this clif with this stunning view in the background. Helen and James exchanged their wedding vows and gave each other rings and they were married. It ... read more

We woke up and headed down to get some breakfast in our hotel and then we headed out to use the internet and sort out the final elements to the Magic Bus tour. That is all now sorted so we have that to look forward to for the week after Waiheke. We met Laura and Macky at the ferry, my old housemates and a couple who I haven't seen for such a long time. It was quite a surreal moment and we got on straight off the bat as if we had seen each other the day before. We got some food together and then we got on the Fullers ferry to Waiheke. The weather closed in slightly as we got going and we had to head downstairs to enjoy our Steinlagers. We hoped for the ... read more

So, here is part 2. So after an eventful journey from Balham to Redhill on the train (yes, I got my bag stuck on the train) we got on our plane to head to Dubai for a quick stop and then on to Auckland. But, the flight got delayed, we got told that we had to go back to the gate and a part on engine number 2 had to be replaced. As the Captain said, it was a good thing this problem didn't happen 40,000 feet up in the air. The outcome would have been slightly different. So after a 2 hour delay we were in the air. When we got to Dubai we were 5 minutes late for our connecting flight and we then got told that we were to be taken to a ... read more

4 days to go..... Well, this is the first weekend I have been out of work for 9 and a half years and it does kind of feel pretty liberating. There was a spring in my step yesterday when I work up knowing that work was over and my travels were about to begin. Leaving work, or should I say the people, was quite difficult. I have made some very good friends there and I will miss them. But from my viewpoint looking forward looks great and exciting and I can't wait to get going. I think these last few days in the UK are going to be some of the longest days of my life, waiting for that 10pm flight on Thursday to Auckland. My trip starts this Thursday and the plan is to come ... read more