Freedom.

 25th October, Aussie time of 16:00

At last, today I tested negative.

Came out of isolation and still with mask on, joined my brother Andy and Sally for drinks and nibbles on the veranda. Oh, it was nice to be able to go downstairs and listen to the sounds of the night. Frogs, crickets and the occasional goodnight call of the Kookaburra oh how I have missed that. Didn't much care for those nasty biting insects though. Ian, in his shorts, paid for not wearing long trousers the next day. Bites all over his knees! Anyway with me now Covid free the flights to NZ went ahead as planned. We left early the next morning, like 6.30am, to get the train to the airport. For some reason we had to be there 4 hours before departure, ridiculous until my brother mentioned a kilometre queue around the airport perimeter because there wasn't enough staff to man the checkouts. We just sailed through, hardly any queues so found the lounge and indulged in free breakfast and as much tea or coffee one could drink. So much more civilised than hanging around a departure hall for hours.

The flight was delayed. In fact both of us were baffled as to what was on the information board. No delay sign, no, it just said relax! Anyway an hour later we eventually boarded, flight was brilliant and three hours later touched down in Auckland. It was here that things didn't quite go to plan. 

Leaving Sydney Kingsford Smith

Auckland

We had hoped to be at our hotel for 5 pm. An arrangement had been made to meet up with John and Dawn at 6 pm. We first met them back in 2020 when a message came through the blog to say they enjoyed following our travels and could we meet. They took us out on their boat. To see the post click HERE Anyway announcements were made saying there could be a long wait to get through to border checks. Wow, they were not wrong! After collecting our bags we joined the throng. Three queues eventually merging into two, joining those already confined in those barriers that took you across from one side to another without any means of escape and causing one to snake across the hall for what seemed like miles. Thankfully the shuffling forward was pretty constant and nearly an hour later we made it to where our bags were to be X-rayed. We were then pulled out of the line! It was to do with the declaration card. NZ border patrol are really strict about anything coming into the country that could cause an environmental disaster. And quite rightly too, as it should be. Shame the UK doesn't follow suit! Anyway I had ticked the food box (I had peppermints in my bag) and ticked the medicine box (had the usual Paracetamol, cough sweets, pain killers etc) well a fine of 400 dollars would be issued if food or drugs were not declared. But it turns out sweets are okay, as are medicines bought over the counter! I felt they thought I had wasted their time but in my book sweets are eaten (food) and over the counter medicines are medicines! I will remember next time not to declare those items!

Because of the delay and because the bus to the hotel took 40 minutes to arrive, we never did get to meet up with John and Dawn. We did manage to phone their hotel and explain why we failed to turn up. All was not completely lost though, because John mentioned they would both be back in Auckland next March, the same time as us so hopefully will meet up then.

On the 27th our flight on Air Chatham was for 9.30 am. I'm not the best at flying so seeing how small the plane was put me on edge straight away. We had the seats right at the front. In fact only the Pilot's door stopped us from being in the cockpit with him! And what was worse was looking out of the window to see the propeller! If I stretched out far enough and no window as a barrier, I reckon I could have touched it!

 

55 minutes was all it took, the flight was smooth and the landing perfect. Whanganui was the smallest airport we had ever been in. It was also raining, shame really 'cos our coats were in the cases and a dash across the tarmac was needed to get into the hall. The luggage came out stacked on a trolley, everyone rushed in and grabbed their bags. Soon found out why. The last taxi was seen disappearing in the distance as we came out! With only a couple of flights a day, only a few taxis arrive. Ian went to look for someone to help us out and this lovely chap came up to me and asked if we would like a lift into town. Wow, you wouldn't get that offer anywhere else. I was just about to except when Ian said a taxi had been organised. It's amazing how welcoming the Kiwi's are.

We spent the afternoon trying to sort out Wi-Fi for the phone and dongle. It's not going to be cheap but needs must for the next 5 months. Tomorrow will be another day exploring Whanganui before collecting the camper on Saturday. 

And a few more photos of the flight.

Air Chatham flight departing Whanganui. The turn around was 30 minutes!