Castlecliff

Flying to New Zealand in one go was always going to be tiring. Everything was going smoothly and I arrived at Aukland Airport about 30 hours after I left home.

The luggage conveyor belt at Aukland wasn’t working. Regional travellers were invited to put their luggage on the arrivals carousel – not the most reassuring of instructions. My plane to Palmerston North was delayed, a bit more delayed, a bit more delayed. Another plane to Palmerston left and eventually we boarded the plane. The pilot announces “The reason we were late in was a problem with the left engine. And now it’s not working again” Thoroughly unreassuring Air NZ! We deplane – that was a first for me. Eventually we board a new plane (phew) and fly South.

John and Janis’ cottage in Castlecliff is perfect. We managed to keep me awake by going to get pedicures. I managed a good 10 hours sleep which went a long way to restoring me after the journey and this morning Janis and I took to the beach and I clocked up my first swim of the trip.