Arriving in Auckland

Friday 19th January 2007
After a pretty gruelling 27 hours travelling we arrived in Auckland to be met by Tim, one of the guys from TMI NZ who has done a great deal of organisation of our trip. We only just managed to fit all EIGHT suitcases into his station wagon and then we were off to 53 Rutherford Terrace, Meadowbank, Auckland.
As we drove up our street both Joe and Millie screamed with delight and recognition when they saw our house. We had shown them photos of it before we left and they recognised it immediately. You may not be surprised to hear there are not many big yellow houses in Auckland, never mind in our street.
It took a while to unpack, have a quick snooze and have some lunch (or was that midnight snack if we were still on UK time?).
We spent the rest of the day investigating school, supermarket and neighbourhood. All within 15 minutes walk of the house.

Departing UK

Wednesday 17th January 2007

The first day of the trip and Millie is starting it in style. A shower followed by a fashion show of the Crowne Plaza's towelling robe.
Joe on the other hand didn't care for the fashion show but was more interested in the All Day Breakfast at breakfast time. What a boy!
Flight left on time 2.35pm but we were not sitting together. Jes managed to wangle himself a seat a few rows in front of the rest of us, so he spent the whole 27 hours sleeping, reading, playing games and watching movies. Louise on the other hand spent 27 hours looking after the kids. Not sure we'll have the same arrangement on the return flights!!