Noah

Travel

I've always been a bit lucky with travel. I seem to be able to organise to get where I want or need to be with the minimum of fuss and without it costing over the odds. There has been one notable failure in this and a couple of close calls.

The failure was not my fault. How could anyone know that a simple trip from Auckland to Doha via Dubai would end up with us camped on the runway in Karachi for hours and spending hours in Dubai's notorious Terminal 1. That trip took over 40 hours, not so flash when my bag went missing for several days as well. I learnt a lot about the nature of people from that, those who were wonderful and those who were not so. I also learnt that when using an iron to quick dry your only pair of knickers you need to keep the iron away from the lacy bits. They melt and are not too pleasant to wear after that.

The close calls range from misreading the flight time, yes 12.05 am is just 5 minutes not a whole day after today, to having my name called because I had a good book and was oblivious. This trip my good luck was pushed a bit. I booked the connecting flight from Sydney to Melbourne a bit later than I thought I might on good advice. Sydney is a pig of an airport to get through and planes are often late leaving in the afternoon.

Yes, mine was about 90 minutes late and as I sat at Christchurch I smugly thought that it really was a good idea to book that later flight. I didn't take into account the time difference, two hours late at night really does make a difference or poor Sue having to come out so late to pick me up. I had a dream run through customs and found myself quickly outside looking for the bus to the domestic terminal.

My bag weighed in at 26kgs and the allowance for my next flight was 23. Unpacking the bag was an option but I took it to the transit place just in case and the lovely man put it through there. He charged me $15 for the privilege. I thought it was a good investment, carrying that bag would have been a trial. It became a better option when he had no change for my $20 and gave it to me for nothing. Then there was the almost three hours to wait in the domestic airport. Not such a good idea. I managed to find a comfy seat in a cafe and with a good book, a couple of cups of tea and some raison toast managed to while away the time.

That was nothing compared to today's or was it yesterday's effort. Checking in was a treat, the plan was very late due to technical difficulties. Oh well, I thought. Nick was with me so we had pizza and beer, a chat and a lesson on his i-phone (I really, really need one). When he left the hours dragged and over 4 hours later, we were hurried onto the plane. It was very reassuring when the pilot shared with us that the problem was with the engines. He had to start two of them while we were stationary to make sure they went, I'm assuming. Didn't really fill me with confidence and there were a few nervous giggles from others.

There are two types of planes that travel the Dubai-Australia route. One is comfy the other is not. This one was not. I'm not very short, 5'3" is not short okay, and I couldn't reach the floor when seated. I usually wear shoes that have some elevation to fix this but even these didn't reach the floor. There's nothing more uncomfortable than sitting this way for 15 hours. Than trying to sleep when the circulation is cut off below the knees. I was so pleased to land at Dubai, to get onto solid ground and to feel the humid heat.

I got back to Al Ain only to find that I had been locked out of my apartment building. Someone had locked the bottom door and I don't have a key for that. It was getting warmish so I called people and the lovely Marilyn came to the rescue. There are very few people here at the moment, I'm the only person in both the apartment blocks in my complex, so I was very lucky. I was thinking that I might have to head to the Rotana for the night.

That thought had it's advantages but I'm over living out of a suitcase and am really looking forward to a couple of nights in my own bed before the next adventure. I'm feeling a little jet lagged and tired but am making the effort to stay awake until a reasonable time. Tomorrow it's gym time, I ate far to well in NZ and Aus, and a chill out in the sun later in the afternoon when it's bearable.

The snowy foothills of Oxford. The mountains are under the cloud, white and chilly. Well I suspect they are given the foothills but there have been no clear skies for a while. It's bleak and gray outside now, 5c at 4pm and it hasn't got much above that all day. Most say it's colder than usual, I can't help but agree but it is winter.

Brunch mmmmm

I'm staying out in Oxford for a few days, out in the country close to the high hills. This morning there was snow but the intrepid photographer slept through the good, early morning light reflecting off the new whiteness. By the time I surfaced the cloud had lowered and all was hidden for the day. No worries, by the feel of things, a clear frosty day will mean some good shots tomorrow, fingers crossed.

We lunched in Christchurch today, a yummy brunch in true kiwi style. There were some nice sights and I captured a few shots of the garden city deep in winter. The bare trees, the gray sky, the chill wind and the warmth of the cafe contributing to a good day out. Noah joined us, he's such a cool little boy. He sat and watched us eat, he had had his after all and is not on grown up food yet. We got the four generation shot and I'll add this soon.

I'm now enjoying a nice warm fire with a crisp white and a big plate of roast yams and kumara. I'll need to do some serious gym time to knock off the extra pounds I've needed to add here to keep warm. The photos here are of the Bridge of Remembrance in the city centre, a NZ lion and a church turret on Madras Street.

Christchurch

It's hard to believe I've only been here for a little over a week, funny how I slot back into the lifestyle. My life here has changed. I no longer have my home to return to so I'm dependent on the generosity of my family and friends. I've been staying with really good friends, enjoying their two young ladies and remembering a time when my own house was so full of noise and fun, sleep overs and midnight pick ups, sports and cultural events on the calendar and of course the endless meals and dishes.

I'm really enjoying the coffee and the quality, if not the price, of the food. Eating out for brunch is a treat I've had a few times since I've been back. Although Ruby's French toast with maple syrup and bacon has been the highlight so far. It's become very expensive here and I suspect I notice it more because of my infrequent trips. Luckily pineapple lumps, those little pieces of sunshine wrapped in chocolate, were on special so I've got 8 packs. Well, down to 7 now as we sampled some this afternoon, just to check the quality of course. I've got several orders for these and not just from my NZ friends.

I went for a long walk in the hills this morning, along the paths I used to walk regularly. Winter makes it all look so bleak and it was freezing. It took me a while to warm up but once underway I really enjoyed being out in the fresh air and seeing the sights. I suspect I've become a little unfit because I'm a bit sore tonight, either that or the cold has taken it's toll.

Tomorrow I'm house sitting and then going out to the country to stay for a few days. I've been trying to work out how I can fly home via Melbourne so I can see Nick and think I've got that sussed. I'll just have to go and talk nicely to the Emirates people at the airport. I've had some luck with that lately so fingers crossed they agree to my plan.

On holiday

I can't believe it's Thursday already, time certainly flies when I'm on holiday. I still haven't caught up with many people yet, that may be next weeks job. It's taken me some time to get myself fully here, to get my time zones into kilter but I think after a couple of good nights sleep I'm back to my old self now.

I'm back to drinking coffee in large quantities again. I'd actually weaned myself off coffee having only two or three a week, now I'm back to that a day. There's nothing like Italian coffee and NZ coffee, made well, comes a close second. I'm off to have coffee with my mother soon so should really get organised. I've just hung the washing out and boy it really is cold out there, makes one appreciate the heating inside.

I suspect I'll have to rug up for today's outings. I do have a car so that's a bonus. Fancy going into the company I used to use for work and the man at the counter recognising me. He gave me a good discount so I have wheels. That makes such a difference when catching up with family and friends.

Here are some long promised photos of the very gorgeous Noah.

Chilly

Back in the cold lands, what a drop in temperature. This morning it was -4, a crisp Christchurch morning. Luckily jet lag kept me asleep until 9 so I missed some of the freezing sting. Funny to stand outside and be able to see my breath steaming out of my mouth. I'm feeling a bit disoriented after feeling fine when I arrived. Jet lag is an odd thing, it affects me differently every time.

It was a long flight and I learnt a lesson. One should read one's itinerary carefully before booking the Emirates limo. My flight left at 8.50 not 8.15 so a 4 am start was not really needed. On the plus side, I arrived to no queues and had a nice breakfast in the Emirates Lounge. The good thing with all this flying is that I have heaps of airpoints, enough to get me ungraded, use the lounges and be able to board the plane first. As if I'd want to do that!

Tim, Sarah and Noah met me at the airport, so fantastic to see them all. Noah is very cute, he smiled at his gran and we've had lots of cuddles. He's such a good baby, contented and social. Try getting him to sleep when there's someone different in the house. He sat on the table in his Bumbo and watched us eat pizza for dinner. A Bumbo is one of clever inventions that you see and go, why didn't I think of that. It's a soft plastic seat that supports a child to sit and be part of what's going on. Noah loves it.

This morning he was full of smiles and when Kieran and Sassi arrived, the good idea that he needed a sleep went out the window. They've gone off for a coffee, a walk in the pram just what was needed for the grumpy boy. I've got my camera so will add some photos as soon as I can get some. For now, I'm going to make another cup of tea and another piece of Molenberg toast to have with marmite, yep back in the land of yummy bread and marmite. I've also found patch of sunlight so I'm feeling sleepy again, might just have to doze off in the peace and quiet first.