Well hello again my dear reader. We are back, travelling together, no 'ridiculous' bushwalking adventures on this trip. No, with Jayne by my side it will be the usual luxury to which she has become accustomed. That said, I'm not complaining.
For the next three weeks we will be circumnavigating the South Island of New Zealand. As an extra challenge we are confining the song related titles of the blog to that of New Zealand artists. Today, Christchurch was an absolute picture when we arrived, blue skies, light breeze, a true slice of heaven. Cheers to Dave Dobbyn, actually Sir Dave Dobbyn, wtf, all the way from the 1980s. Sought of apt in some fashion. The time period, not the knighthood, although they belong to the past as well. However, I'm getting ahead of myself.
We set the alarm to ensure we woke in time this morning. It's a simple thing and yet something so intrusive and most unpleasant. Yes, we lived by the bell in more ways than one in our working lives, but now prefer to respond to natural life rhythms. Not so today. Up, dressed and out the door before 7am. Since my last excursion the the airport went so well via Sydney Trains, I thought we would utilise that mode of transport other than a taxi or Uber. Hmmm. Signal failure in Campbelltown caused delays to all airport trains. Typical.
Anyway, we wrangled the luggage and crowd at Central Station, checked in and negotiated security. That is always interesting, negotiating security. They seem to create random rules for each occasion. As is usual I was selected for a body scan, well they are only human. However, I was ahead of them today and wore joggers not my usual boots. I would not be sent back for a re-scan. Wrong. "There is something in your pocket" ... a handkerchief that the dude at the scanner said not to put into a plastic tub. "And your back?" sorry, it was humid, I was sweating and that always shows up. "Please put your glasses on and go through again". Made it. Why do they always win?
Meanwhile ... where is Jayne? Still coming through and just when she can see Nirvana and freedom, out of the shadows pops the guy who checks for explosive residue. He speaks to Jayne and I smirk. Too many years working with young people - this young man is on the spectrum and he is following every textbook step as he has been taught. No jokes, no smiles, just procedure: hands, shoes, pockets, inside bags, even the mobile were all swiped to test for residue. He has found the perfect job.
Finally free, Jayne relates her saga. She was sent back to remove her glasses. Yes, I was told to put mine on. "Put them in the tub," they said. "The tub has passed through to the other side," (not that sort of other side, just through the x-ray machine) says Jayne. "Then go back and get another tub." FFS. I'm sure they do this for fun. Even the Qantas staff questioned the shifting sands of regulations at security.
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| The food is better than the view from First Lounge. |
As time draws to its inexorable end on my platinum status with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, I enjoy the First Class Lounge more and more. Today for breakfast, a long black, BLT and champagne, of course. Jayne had some egg thing. You know I do not understand the fascination with eggs, my long suffering reader.
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| Random shot as we approach Christchurch. |
The flight was unremarkable. It was 30 minutes late leaving. Nothing unusual for Qantas. My bag was returned unscathed. Now THAT IS remarkable given my recent experience. By 4:30pm (NZ time) we had picked up the car (scored an upgrade because I didn't expect or need one) and checked in to our hotel.
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| Last time I saw a river that wide I was in Canada. |
"Should I call you 'doctor' or 'sir', "enquired the hotel manager. "Call me Brad," I replied.
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| The view of the Cathedral from our room. |
A quick reconnoître and off to the supermarket to purchase some items we opted not bring. Then it was back to our hotel to watch the evening descend slowly over Christchurch, while enjoying a bottle of rosé from Wooing Tree with the BEST POTATO CHIPS IN THE WORLD. No, I'm serious. They are very difficult to procure in Australia. See the photo below.
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| Find them. Buy them. Eat them. |
That is pretty much the first day. Jayne is researching options for tomorrow. Sadly, our slice of heaven is about to be replaced with something, well, less heavenly or more heavenly in a literal sense. Rain is forecast for the next couple of days, but hey, it's New Zealand and the South Island, you have to expect some rain.
I will, as usual, attempt to blog every day, but I'm fairly certain that is a bridge too far.
Until next time.
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