Day 1&2 - Arrived Safely

So - the adventure begins! Last minute stress to the fore as Adrian lost his work phone somewhere and was stressing with the concern that someone may pick it up and start charging heaps of calls to the taxpayer. Andrew and Aaron arrived just before 8 as arranged. Stopped in at work to leave a message for the cell phone co-ordinator when such co-ordinator was entering the building at the same time! Must have meant to be! So arrangements made to block sim. Adrian to sort finding phone on return. 90% sure it is at home somewhere. Note to oneself - put a lock on the phone!

So adrian had calmed significantly by the time we got the airport. Check in went quite smoothly. We both had 30kg of  allowance and at least 10kg of fist day stamp covers for Sharon in the bags. Alyson's total 29 kilos and Adrian's 34 kilos. The kind AirNZ staff let that pass by without comment. Nice! So then it was off to the Koru Lounge to await the departure of the domestic flight through to Auckland on the A320. We were seated near the back of the plane but no worries as we had heaps of time. Decided to stroll to international on our arrival. Border control wasn't without it's minor dramas. Adrian was pulled aside for a luggage swab/drug check. Swabs were taken and put in to the particulate machine. You know that feeling of confidence when you know nothing is wrong but are awaiting the results! Green light and we were off to Koru again after the compulsary purchase of Jetbplanes and pineapple lumps for some homesick kiwis we re visiting.

We decided to travel business class early in the planning as we thought we only had three weeks for the trip initially. Boarding was done without incident and we departed on time at 1:30pm. Business class was very comfy and service very nice. Arrived in Hong Kong at about 1am NZ time. Wow what a big airport. Hopped off at gate 60 something and our next flight departed for London from Gate 2! The walk made you realise just what a wee airport Auckland is in comparison. A shower then boarding for the 12 hours to the UK about 5am NZ time. Now for the real test. Can Adrian ( for the first time ever) sleep on the lie flat bed during the flight. Answer - No! Aly managed to get about 6 hours though.

Arrived in the UkK right on time at 0620 UK time. Another long walk to customs/immigration. Passports stamped then straight through customs ( as if they weren't there ). Obviously heavy use of profiling and XRay. So arrived safety but where are the family? Apparently the web site they looked at had the plane delayed, so a 5 minute wait while they parked! 

Then off to Welwyn Garden City to the north. Brilliant first day weather wise. 2 hours sleep then off to the Wicked Lady pub for lunch. Then 4 hours sleep for Adrian...

BBQ lunch with Sharon's mates tomorrow.