Tuesday 18 March
Our plane from Auckland to Singapore departed at 0100 and inevitably we had to eat a 'supper' before we were allowed to sleep. Luckily we did both sleep reasonably well after that. We duly arrived to the hullabaloo involved in the launch of a new plane. Firstly we had to have our photographs taken to go with a commemorative stamp which will arrive here on an envelope in a few weeks' time; then we had a (not very good) buffet breakfast to the sound of an accompanying jazz band. The speeches followed - including ones made bythe Vice President of Singapore Airlines and the British High Commissioner. Then we were allowed to board and the flight left 15 minutes behind time. The economy passengers are on the main deck, at the front of which are the much advertised (not economy) 'suites' - little cubicles in which highly paying passengers can be alone with a massive flat screen TV and then shut themselves in and sleep full length when they feel like it. The economy part of the main deck has a feeling of spaciousness that has a lot to do with the fact that the ceiling is a higher than normal and is well lit. The seats themselves - in the usual configuration of three on either side and four in the middle - are marginally wider (you'd hardly notice) and slightly further away from the seats in front (a bit more helpful). The inflight entertainment system has the same programmes as on our other SIA flights but the remote control is more user-friendly, a bit like a TV remote. Service, as on all SIA flights, was excellent and the plane was quiet and smooth, but my overriding memory will be of the cold. Everyone needed to use their blankets - it was freezing! The flight took around 14 hours - giving plenty of time to examine the laptop bag full of goodies that each of us was given (two pens in a leather case; a leather baggage label; a 100ml bottle bag; a padlock; a model of the plane and a book all about the A380). We were also presented with individual certificates. During the flights some passengers were filmed and interviewed (we kept our heads down). On arrival at Heathrow the plane was water cannoned and we were presented with a corsage of fresh orchids each. I was much too tired by this time to enjoy any of this.
Our friend Barbara met us at the airport and sped us home and afterwards she and Graham gave us a lovely welcome-home dinner. Now we just need to get our time-clocks sorted out - it seems to be taking a long time. It was a really terrific holiday; we enjoyed every minute.
Monday 17 March
We returned to Wellington in the late morning after coffee at The Village Cafe in Martinborough. The weather was beautifully sunny and hot again and we idled away the rest of the day sitting in the garden enjoying a late lunch and the inevitable bottle or two of wine. In the late afternoon Keith and Wendy took us to Wellington airport and we departed for Auckland having paid $50NZ excess baggage! This occasioned a re-packing of our bags at Auckland and transfer of lots of heavy material into our hand baggage. On checking in for our next flight (no excess baggage charge now) we were presented with our invitations to the launch in Singapore of the A380 at 0630 - the plane on which we were to travel back to Heathrow
Sunday 16 March
After a refreshing night's sleep we awoke to a warm but overcast day which was just about right for our 10km walk "Round the Vines" - a fund-raising event for the local school. There were lots of people taking par
t, many in imaginative fancy dress. We never found out whether the man with the splinted leg really had damaged it or not - he was very realistic. Bo-Peep had a significantly-sized flock of sheep and one cow because the hire company ran out of costumes. The Runaway Bride and her bridesmaid often seemed to be apart from the Groom, but perhaps that was how it should have been. This was a very civilised event in that the stops involved tasting the wines at each of the vineyards through which we were walking and helping ourselves to grapes and water melon. Some of us got around quicker than others depending on how many tastings had to be made at each stop. But we did manage to complete the course in time for the sun to come out and to make our way to Alana Vineyard for another excellent lunch accompanied by their superb wine.
t, many in imaginative fancy dress. We never found out whether the man with the splinted leg really had damaged it or not - he was very realistic. Bo-Peep had a significantly-sized flock of sheep and one cow because the hire company ran out of costumes. The Runaway Bride and her bridesmaid often seemed to be apart from the Groom, but perhaps that was how it should have been. This was a very civilised event in that the stops involved tasting the wines at each of the vineyards through which we were walking and helping ourselves to grapes and water melon. Some of us got around quicker than others depending on how many tastings had to be made at each stop. But we did manage to complete the course in time for the sun to come out and to make our way to Alana Vineyard for another excellent lunch accompanied by their superb wine. 
Belle had been left at home for the morning so in the afternoon we were duty-bound to take her for quite a ramble around Martinborough and, in particular, around the area near the cottage where other buildings are being built (or are arriving complete either as existing buildings re-sited, or as new buildings - as Keith and Wendy's had been). We also examined all the olive trees in the communal areas to decide whether they would produce sufficient crop to enable Keith to make olive oil this year. We spent some time talking to four Alpacas on one of the 'lifestyle' plots who were happy to accept grass offerings but were mostly keen to 'eye-ball' Belle. The afternoon came to an end with traditional kite-flying and an equally traditional roast chicken and all the trimmings and BBC 2!
Saturday 15 March
After a walk on Mount Kaukau, we set off, mid-morning, for Martinborough using both Keith and Wendy's cars - lots of baggage and Belle to transport. Richard was driving Wendy's automatic, and after the traffic-free roads of the South Island, Wellington'
s suburbs seemed pretty busy - and we kept coming to traffic lights! The road to the Wairarapa involves a very long, windy, road up the Rimutaka range and then down the other side. Once on the other side the country seems strangely flat compared with Wellington and the South Island. It was a hot, sunny, day and once we had unloaded the cars at the 'cottage' at Martinborough, we went on to Greytown. We had an excellent long lunch sitting out on the terrace of 'Saluti' and then enjoyed having a look around the town's antique and interior design/gift shops. When we got back to Martinborough we visited two of the many local vineyards; sampled some of their offerings and bought some chardonnay and pinot gris. In the evening we had dinner at The French Bistro.
s suburbs seemed pretty busy - and we kept coming to traffic lights! The road to the Wairarapa involves a very long, windy, road up the Rimutaka range and then down the other side. Once on the other side the country seems strangely flat compared with Wellington and the South Island. It was a hot, sunny, day and once we had unloaded the cars at the 'cottage' at Martinborough, we went on to Greytown. We had an excellent long lunch sitting out on the terrace of 'Saluti' and then enjoyed having a look around the town's antique and interior design/gift shops. When we got back to Martinborough we visited two of the many local vineyards; sampled some of their offerings and bought some chardonnay and pinot gris. In the evening we had dinner at The French Bistro. 
