28/10/2007

Sleep is for wimps!!!

Posted in News at 4:51 pm by Mags

and thats why I don’t have very much!!

mind you have done well today – didn’t get to the computer til 5 a.m.!
Got a sore throat tho so maybe the bugs have got over their jet lag now…

And just to make you all feel better it – it rained yesterday!
Proving that even the Kiwi weather forecasters get it wrong as much as the Brit ones!

We went to visit Nan Moff and then do some grocery shopping – which was quite an experience for My Beloved – especially as I was spending his money – can’t use mine yet til I’ve activated my account at the bank!

We also got ‘married’!!!

Well in the eyes of the furniture world …
in the holy temple known as Furniture City we became Mr and Mrs – I’m assured its legal, binding and fully affiliated with The Vatican – plus with a money back guarentee should I not be satisfied … – and whats more there wasn’t a merengue (sp?) frock or flake of confetti in sight!

You may be pausing now to wipe the screen as some of you may have spat coffee (or tea or beverage of choice!!! ) at it !!!!!! especially My Beloved

Don’t worry won’t deprive anyone out there the opportunity to sit in a hat should I get presented with a ‘ring pull’ ( – or are we going with the tin foil version My Darling? )

I know I’m almost back to normal as I was shouting at the radio yesterday there was a sports talk back discussing the NZ GB RL test match (I got to ‘hear’ it on Sky! Complete with Heavo and Steaddie!!! No picture just sound!!!! ) They don’t half take it seriously here – not as serious as onion but by jiminy – but what made me laugh (and shout) the most was the way they were hailing the GB players – (apart from Big Ade who has a price on his head down here!!! ) – as being wonderful – the same ones we slate during the normal SL season!! I became very convinced the presenter had never watched a game of league in his life!!!

I think I may have to do some very serious missionary work!!!! Where’s Deano’s phone number

for now

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26/10/2007

G’day from Sunny Auckland!

Posted in News at 1:54 pm by Mags

Yes I’m here!!!!!!!

arrived safely 10.46 a.m Thursday 25th October 2007 – to brilliant blue skies and sunshine!
(and a rather gorgous man!! )

It was the end of a l-o-n-g journey that began way way back in January …

Didn’t leave the UK without a hitch though that wouldbeen too easy!

We left for Heathrow with plenty of time – only to be turffed off the Tube at Acton Town and told to get on another line for a couple of stops and then the Heathrow Connect train because of a security alert!

So me and backpack, my dad with my mega case which has been packed – unpacked- repacked etc etc hundreds of times in last 2 weeks cos I was paranoid I wouldn’t fit everything in, two sisters , a neice and a pushchair all got off (with the other couple of hundred people!) the tube to stand and wait for the connecting train which was then so mega packed there was no way anyone could move easily – so much so that the announcement ‘Please have your tickets ready for inspection’ was greeted with laughter … they don’t employ people who can levitate in the British transport industry!!!
I guess it was just their way of saying ‘goodbye’ after giving me a treat last Saturday!!!

Any hoo – the clock was ticking – had to book in by 7.30 p.m. – at 7.29 p.m. I was sticking my mega case on the scales (If all had gone to plan we would have been there with time to spare for a drink!)
Very ‘nice’ man booked me in – two window seats (and my 27kg case!!! Even travelling business I have to push it almost to the limit!!!!!)

We then looked at the queue to go through security almost stretched back to central London!!! Even the fasttrack one for peeps like me – so decided to join it which meant farewells were shorter … which was possibly no bad thing … or I might not be here now typing this

Was thoroughly checked – my bargain plastic ‘airbag’ for carrying the ‘liquids’ was brill – even went through gate without it buzzing – which for me is a first! (Maybe they’d heard about me and my boots in Poland!!! ) – but they are getting canny – just when you think the duty free shops are within your reach you get stopped again ! To take your shoes off to be checked!!!
(and the opportunity to stand on something that hurt your foot – dunno what it was but luckily for them won’t be suing this time!! )

Then it was hey lads hey to the ‘lounge’ which after all the hustle and bustle of the previous 3 hours was an oasis of calm

Nice cool drink – a few texts – then it was up to the departure gate and onboard …

I had a bed!!! (well a seat that converted into one! )
and I was upstairs!!!! – and at the front !!!!!!!
Definately the celeb life for me!!!

So the journey to Seoul was fab – comfy, a sleep, so only really watched one film … food and service were great too!

Seoul Incheon International is a very big airport – but there didn’t seem to be many planes there …
spent the 3 hours in the lounge (not quite so cosy and calm) before boarding the plane to Auckland

Sadly it was an older model so no bed – and I wasn’t able to get as comfy – so watched more films on that leg … and of course the excitement started to kick in …
Kept checking on progress of flight – we seemed to be stuck at around 5 hours away for ages … didn’t fly over Aus this time … and it was dark outside much longer – even when I knew the time in Auckland was 8 a.m. – still by the time they served breakkie we were in bright blue skies (I sneaked up the screen to re adjust my body clock – I read somewhere that when daylight hits your eyes it does that!!)

As we approached NZ it was very easy to see why its known as The Land of The Long White Cloud – all light and fluffy…

as we flew over Auckland itself I was able to pick out things I’d seen on my last trip (ever the Geographer!!!!) – we did a big loop so we flew over Flynn St ….

Passed through immigration like a dream – obviously the memo got lost – the one saying don’t make it too easy for her A very nice man welcomed me to the country and wished me lots of luck

Then was the bit I hate – the baggage carousel – thats where Captain Paranoia really starts to shout down my ear …

But Mega case was about the fourth piece through – then it was a short walk through the ‘MAF’ nothing to declare and through the doors ….
And ….

I was actually the first one through too …

It was a glorious day too weather wise …

I’ll fill you in on the next bit later – but for now need a drink – body clock didn’t quite get the message – think it thinks I don’t need any sleep but I am hungry

for now

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21/10/2007

And away we go….

Posted in News at 6:12 am by Mags

Logging in from the first stop on my journey to paradise
Its been quite a week and a bit from the emptying of the house to the sale finally going through to the innumerable variations on packing and extra packages being sent over

Sitting on the train yesterday – I decided to travel First class because I needed the space to put my luggage! – it all felt surreal
Its actually happening …
I had a lovely send off felt like a celeb …

The fact you get free refreshments brought to your seat and that the ticket man didn’t come to check the ticket so I wasn’t given the opportunity to ‘upgrade’ it more than made up for the last few journey’s to London I’ve done when I’ve either had to stand up or perch on my case or even sit on the floor!!!

I may literally be the other side of the world but all this technology will make it seem as if I’m still there – can’t get rid of me that easily!

Just need to repack my case – again :roflma: and then its off to the airport Tuesday
for now

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09/10/2007

The Final Countdown ….

Posted in News at 2:08 am by Mags

No not to the Grand Final at Old Trafford which could have featured the team which made the ‘greatest comeback in sporting history’! instead of the same old same old (I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time Rob – just don’t forget to wear your protective gear – and plastic bags for your feet – brave man entering enemy territory

No not to the semi final that shouldn’t have been – how DID the AB’s lose?????
Mind you if the anchor man on the TV so much as whispers ‘Cry God for Jonny and St George’ during another completely cringe worthy jingoistic commentary (yes I know its against the French – but the ‘RaRa Rule Britannia’ speil on Saturday was enough to make me want to eat snails in Garlic – and me a veggie!!!! ) I won’t be responsible for my actions …

Mind you if Jonny keeps being a one man team that ball of his I have will be worth a packet!!!

Its rather more exciting than that well to me at any rate!

No dear reader I married him …

SORRY came over all Jane Austen then …

No after months of faffing in such a way that I should be Queen of Faffdom (please insert appropriate QoF smiley here!!! )
its all happening …
House completion Monday
Fly to new life October 23rd!!!!

Can’t quite believe it myself
But I’ve booked my ticket

And I know a very very happy man

But as you can see its not made me sleep any better ….

Perhaps thats being saved for NZ !!!

Or maybe any minute now I’m going to wake up in a ‘Bobby Ewing Stylee’ (that’ll test your 1980′s cultural knowledge …
) and find I’ve dreamed it all up – even this website!!!

for now …

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