We have arrived, and to prove it, we are here!

And by the way, we were upgraded to Business Class from Auckland to Singapore, but only when we got to the gate. But bliss to be able to lie down. It was about 11.45pm when we boarded so I eschewed the dinner (what, dinner at midnight!?) and the lovely stewardess made up my bed almost as soon as we had taken off. Of course, I didn’t eschew a glass of bubbly on boarding – of course not – that would have been ungrateful!

Sideways down the runway ...

I was very very tired - my eyes tell that story for sure!

Then back down to earth with a bump on the Singapore Air flight to London – Premium Economy. The seats are bigger than Economy with more space beside and in front, they recline more than those in Economy, but the meals are the same – you just get served sooner than Economy. But 14 hours was an eternity. And to think I used to be scathing of our B&B guests or others we met in the UK who would love to come to NZ but said they couldn’t bear the thought of the long flights. I really struggled on that flight – I did sleep but not for more than 50 minutes at a time – I know because I was awake to count down the hours one by one. And even though the seat was more comfortable than Economy, I still got very sore legs, knees and ankles.

So a decision has been made – it is Business Class from here on. Even David is prepared to do it. Being able to lie down is bliss.

When we were having breakfast in the hotel near Heathrow after a night lying down (and drinking tea at 3am), David declared that it was worth $1000 for each of the following:

·      Travelling down the runway sideways (see photo above)

·      Not having to climb over someone or be climbed over for toilet/walking-around-getting-the-circulation-going stops

·      Being able to put your feet up

·      Having hot toast with breakfast – Vogel’s, no less!

I said it was worth $1000 for each of the following:

·      Being able to lie down flat (that’s actually worth $4000 to me)

·      Getting hot tea in a warmed china mug (as opposed to lukewarm tea in a plastic cup)

·      Being looked after by 2 staff who only had 24 people to attend to

·      Not having to dodge urine drips and puddles on the floor around the toilets …

So here we are, on the boat – a good drive from LHR on Saturday to Debdale Wharf Marina, via the Co-op in Market Harborough for essential supplies – chardonnay, muscato, pizza, salad veges, salmon steaks, bread, butter, milk, choccie biscuits …

A bit of a sort out** just making sure the bed got made, the fridge was on, then pizza and wine, with Mel in his place at the table.

He has waited on the boat patiently for 18 months. He is happy we are back!

** I am the mistress of the understatement, as you will see – all will be revealed in the next post. Right now it’s 4.25am and I am going back to bed, to put my cold hands and feet on David – isn’t that part of the marriage contract? Are you sure that being a human hot water bottle isn’t in the vows somewhere? I am sure I said that was a requirement and he agreed. However it was nearly 43 years ago, so I could have forgotten, I suppose!

See the tui in the cabbage tree? He was there when we were getting ready to leave home on Thursday. He and his mates sing and croak and melodiously chatter very loudly around Waikanae - they are beautiful and great mimics and have been known to imitate the sound of people's cell phones ...