New Year's Day

NZ time...1/1  5pm

Jan has a cousin Mandy who lives in Auckland and around 1pm Mandy and her daughter Reese picked us up at our hotel and drove us out along the coastal drive to Mission Bay for lunch at a beach restaurant.

After lunch, while Jan & Mandy walked and chatted, 12 year old Reese kept Mike busy playing football in the park (guess who was puffing most at the end!).

Mandy then drove us on a tour of Auckland & it was good to see areas off the tourist track. We also went to the top of Mount Eden, as well as a visit Eden Park Stadium.

Tomorrow we leave here to start our trip south, not sure how available WiFi will be for us, but we'll continue to update the blog as often as we can.

New Year'sEve

NZ time ...1/1...10.30am

Last night we went out about 6.30pm for dinner. We decided to try for the Harbourside Restaurant (one of best on the bay), see view below taken from the ferry on way back from Devonport earlier in the afternoon.

The restaurant has a first floor terrace overlooking the harbour (which you can see above) which was initially due to be closed, but as the weather had improved significantly (warm, clearing skies and no rain!) it was opened up and we got an excellent table on the terrace.

The food and service was excellent, along with a fine Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (note also Jan's glass of champagne to start!).

After dinner, we returned to our hotel to relax before going out around 11.30pm to join the crowds along the waterfront and watch the fireworks display off of the SkyTower. Much fun and the fireworks were good, but unfortunately a patch of low cloud descended on the SkyTower just before midnight and somewhat obscured the display, but it was still warm and no rain. We then returned to the hotel and joined the celebrations in the bar, where there was a well-known local DJ playing. Unable to dance to the continual "thump-thump" music we finally retired to our room around 1.30am.

A great new year's eve for us and we wish you all a wonderful HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Auckland

NZ time ....31/12 ..16.00

Rained hard last night, so stayed in hotel to eat, along with a glass of NZ wine (or two!). We both slept well and feel acclimatised already.

Our hotel is behind the cruise ship, which came in last night.

Raining again this morning, but decided to brave it. Walked to Parnell district (very pleasant) and had brunch there. Got a bus around city to return to the harbour. Believe it or not, by this time weather greatly improved so we took the ferry over Devonport, a lovely suburb across the bay with blue skies! Walked to top of Mt Victoria for view back across to the city, then found a bar to sit outside having a beer.

Coincidences do happen....another couple came and sat at our table and we chatted for quite a while...they had emigrated about 7 years ago from Yorkshire and had a brother living in Middlestown, the small Yorkshire village where Mike was born, and they had been there too.

Just back to the hotel to rest before this evening's action. Hope to eat at the Harbourside restaurant and then join local festivities somewhere.

In NZ at last!

UK time 30/12 4am (we'll date/time all future posts with local time out here)...some 30 hours after leaving Heathrow.

The flight from Sydney to Auckland was good and arrived on time, Judy Murray was with us in Economy on this flight too! Bit of a delay at Auckland immigration as a few flights seem to arrive around the same time as us.

Anyway got to hotel around 4pm local time & intend to shower and rest before going out this evening.

Overall we have both coped really well with the travelling & it wasn't as bad as we might have expected. Some weariness kicked while we were delayed at NZ immigration.

Weather is grey , but earlier rain has stopped, not what we were expecting!

Arrived in Sydney

UK time 29/12 20:30 landed on time in Sydney and now have an hour to wait before our last leg to Auckland. Flight was good but Mike had to calm down the young French lady seated next to him when we hit a short period of turbulence!!!! Saw Judy Murray in Business Class. Food was ok but we have had 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts and no lunches!! Auckland here we come (can't wait for a sleep in a proper bed!)

Landed in Bangkok

UK time 29/12 10.15am (please ignore future website date/time for postings as system is incorrect, so we will date/time stamp our entries) Landed on time in Bangkok & now have an hour or so walking round terminal. Flight was good and managed to get some sleep. Next stop Sydney.

Packed and ready to go!

28/12 4.15pm after hectic last few days, we're now relaxing with cocktails before neighbour David chauffeurs us to Heathrow at 5pm. Happy new year to all our readers.