Surprisingly, it was another overnight flight during which we hardly slept. But we each managed to watch two films and were pleased that one of them was The King's Speech which we had not seen in the UK - two of the very few it had seemed. On picking up our luggage in the International Airport at Auckland we enjoyed watching the beagle sniffer dog looking for incoming passengers carrying drugs, but, more likely, foodstuffs which you are not allowed to bring into NZ and about which you are warned on the plane. There is always someone who fails to remove an apple or similar from their hand baggage. The fine is NZ$400. After checking in our baggage again for Air New Zealand, we walked to the Domestic Terminal - about 10 minutes (though there is a bus if you prefer). It was busy there. There are flights to even the most remote and small place in NZ because it takes so long to travel between places by road. And it was busier than usual because of the teams of support workers receiving families who have left Christchurch. Most of those we saw were mothers with young familes. We arrived into Wellington after our 40 minute (bumpy and ear-popping) flight at around 5.30 pm. We were surprised again this time
to be met by Keith and Wendy before baggage reclaim. It felt like we had never been away when we came into the house - everything comfortingly the same and very "English" (see photo of house from back garden). The only new addition was Lily, the black flatcoat retriever, who is now 3 years old. 
She arrived with Keith and Wendy the day after we left in March 2008. We had been worried that Belle might have felt her nose had been put out of joint but they get on like a house on fire - and Belle even seemed to remember us (photo shows Belle on the left and Lily on the right on 'their' sofa). After Bombay Sapphire with tonic and lime, we had a delicious cassoulet and veg followed by an extravagant chocolate and orange 'cake' - and accompanied by the inevitably excellent NZ wine - from Hawke's Bay this time, which Keith says is the area which produces the best quality NZ wines. Today was the first time I have ever nodded off sitting bolt upright at a dining table. We went to bed early.
to be met by Keith and Wendy before baggage reclaim. It felt like we had never been away when we came into the house - everything comfortingly the same and very "English" (see photo of house from back garden). The only new addition was Lily, the black flatcoat retriever, who is now 3 years old. 
She arrived with Keith and Wendy the day after we left in March 2008. We had been worried that Belle might have felt her nose had been put out of joint but they get on like a house on fire - and Belle even seemed to remember us (photo shows Belle on the left and Lily on the right on 'their' sofa). After Bombay Sapphire with tonic and lime, we had a delicious cassoulet and veg followed by an extravagant chocolate and orange 'cake' - and accompanied by the inevitably excellent NZ wine - from Hawke's Bay this time, which Keith says is the area which produces the best quality NZ wines. Today was the first time I have ever nodded off sitting bolt upright at a dining table. We went to bed early.5 March 2011
After more than 8 hours' luxurious sleep we were ready to face the sticky heat of Singapore - though I didn't think it was as 'trying' as on our previous visit. We had limited time so after a buffet breakfast of immense choice and temptation we opted for the air-conditioned SIA Hopper circular bus journey which took us all the around the places we reme
mbered. If we had had more time we would have gone to the National Orchid Collection in the Botanical Garden which I had last seen in 1986; and it would have been good to visit a museum. Instead we stayed in the centre and were amazed by the fantastic buildings we had seen lit up last night (see photos of concert halls/theatres and the Marina Bay Sands complex.) We also took a walk by the river to see the now truncated Merlion in a new position - looking inward to the city. We were relieved to find that the Padang is still there. It was very much in use by teams pla
ying various sports, but we guess that there is still a cricket pitch there somewhere. We had a swim in the outdoor pool before checking out of our room at 3 pm and then after lunch/tea in the hotel we took a taxi - by then in torrential rain - to the airport. Even though we had about 4-5 hours before the departure of our flight, Singapore Airlines efficiently took our hold luggage immediately and we had a relaxed time in this fantastic state-of-the-art airport, with Richard using the free wi-fi and me browsing through the masses of shops and visiting the Butterfly Ga
rden. Others were sleeping/lying on ergonomically designed seating or having reflexology either from a person or from machines dotted about the place. There were also plenty of computer screens with internet access throughout the airport available for free use by any traveller. It was with relief that we saw the large group of Japanese children all wearing face masks go through the gate for a flight to Sydney. We also had a group of children on our flight, but not nearly so noisy. In fact we were not aware of them at all on the flight.
mbered. If we had had more time we would have gone to the National Orchid Collection in the Botanical Garden which I had last seen in 1986; and it would have been good to visit a museum. Instead we stayed in the centre and were amazed by the fantastic buildings we had seen lit up last night (see photos of concert halls/theatres and the Marina Bay Sands complex.) We also took a walk by the river to see the now truncated Merlion in a new position - looking inward to the city. We were relieved to find that the Padang is still there. It was very much in use by teams pla
ying various sports, but we guess that there is still a cricket pitch there somewhere. We had a swim in the outdoor pool before checking out of our room at 3 pm and then after lunch/tea in the hotel we took a taxi - by then in torrential rain - to the airport. Even though we had about 4-5 hours before the departure of our flight, Singapore Airlines efficiently took our hold luggage immediately and we had a relaxed time in this fantastic state-of-the-art airport, with Richard using the free wi-fi and me browsing through the masses of shops and visiting the Butterfly Ga
rden. Others were sleeping/lying on ergonomically designed seating or having reflexology either from a person or from machines dotted about the place. There were also plenty of computer screens with internet access throughout the airport available for free use by any traveller. It was with relief that we saw the large group of Japanese children all wearing face masks go through the gate for a flight to Sydney. We also had a group of children on our flight, but not nearly so noisy. In fact we were not aware of them at all on the flight. 4 March 2011 (or 3 March in the UK)
We had a straightforward drive up to Woking after leaving Charlie at the local cattery - luckily she can have no appreciation of how long she's going to be there. Don and Jean provided a delicious light lunch to set the scene for lots of nice meals to come, and we had a relaxed afternoon chatting before Don drove us to the airport at around 6 pm. We were able to 'lose' our suitcases straight away so then just had to while away the time before boarding the flight. We had two seats together on the upper deck (A380) which struck us as unusual for economy. It gave me a useful locker alongside my seat and some extra room that side for fidgeting into when I failed to sleep much during
the flight. But we did have a reasonable choice of films and both managed to watch two before arriving in Singapore in the early evening of 4 March - having left England in the middle evening of 3 March. Though we were tired we went out into the pleasant night-time heat to get a look at some of the fantastic new buildings which were not there three years ago - construction never stops in Singapore. The city was buzzing with people - mainly youthful - but all were peaceful and law-abiding of course! We stopped off for a beer at a terrace bar/restaurant beside the river and listened to some good live music before turning in for the night.
the flight. But we did have a reasonable choice of films and both managed to watch two before arriving in Singapore in the early evening of 4 March - having left England in the middle evening of 3 March. Though we were tired we went out into the pleasant night-time heat to get a look at some of the fantastic new buildings which were not there three years ago - construction never stops in Singapore. The city was buzzing with people - mainly youthful - but all were peaceful and law-abiding of course! We stopped off for a beer at a terrace bar/restaurant beside the river and listened to some good live music before turning in for the night.
