FLYING HIGH

SATURDAY 30th APRIL

  Scott's house is situated in Abbotsford on the side of a hill, and the view out of his livingroom window is on to Saddle Hill and is quite impressive:

  Got up at 9.00am and after coffee and toast and a bit of a chat we set off for the local airfield where we met Scott's pilot friend, Scott Montague.

   After warming up the four-seater craft, we took off going up to 1000ft and flew out over Dunedin towards the coast, which was much closer than I realised.  We then flew out along to the penninsula and threw a right turn and flew along the coast line.  We had to turn off before Taiaroa Head because it is a breeding ground for the Northern Royal Albatross with a colony of some 700 birds using it as a nesting ground. The three quarter hour trip simply flew by!

As can be seen from the photos there wasn't a cloud in the sky and visibilty was perfect. Fearing it could be a bit chilly I wore my thick zip-up shirt and fleece jacket.  Howewever with the enclosed cockpit heated by the sun I must admit I was far too hot!  The pilot, obviously better versed in these matters, only wore a T-shirt! Anyway, it was a great experience and a wonderful start to my stay in Dunedin.

  We returned home and picked up Scott's lodger Michael and headed on out to Roslyn FC Black team's match.  It was set on a slightly sloping pitch that had formerly been a tip, but was beautifully situated, nestling between the hills.

  The game got of to a poor start with the goalkeeper allowing a chip shot to slip through his outstretched hands and drop into the net.  Scott played at no 5 and struggled for pace against a speedy centre forward at times but defended gamely.  His team equalised before half time, from a low level goal kick that went over most of the opposition team before being latched onto by "Brownie" who slotted it under the keeper.  There was quite a transformation in the second half with Roslyn scoring two goals and dominating play, emerging 3-1 winners.  After the game we went to the club house where all eight teams congregated (the club was founded in 1888), and each captain gave a match report and nominated the player of the match.  Bianca, the only female member of the team - and not an unattractive one at that - with a crunching tackle that won possession on numerous occasions, won the award in Scott's team for her display at left back.

  Afterwards we went for a meal with a Scottish team mate, Robert, his wife and two young boys at a pub called Tramways.  The 400oz steak accompanied by two fried eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomato and chips was enough to feed an army!  Afterwards we returned home at watched the Sydney Warratahs beat the Melbourne Rebels (Rugby Union), before calling it a night.  I was in bed when Skype went off - it was Robert and we had a good chat (he confirmed it was still raining in Sydney, and a couple of good meals had helped alleviate the loss Reilly was suffering due to my absence), before I finally went to sleep.

HEADING FOR DUNEDIN

FRIDAY 29th APRIL

  The alarm went off at 8.00am but I couldn't find the "Off" button so instead I pressed the "Snooze" one.  It gave me 10 minutes peace and then went off again.  I continued pressing the "Snooze" button until 8.50am when I gave up and got up.  I packed my suitcase, made a cup of coffee and took out the remnants of my Pinot Grigio that had been chilling in my insulated cup overnight and put it in my bag.  Just before 10.00am I went down to reception to check out and leave my bags for later collection.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn't charged for my WiFi access, nor the newspapers I had, nor the bottle of fresh milk I was given to go with my tea and coffee.  (Only a small portion was used and the rest now resides in Scott's fridge).

  I walked off round the corner to partake of breakfast at Brown's Cafe, sitting outside in the morning sun.

As I sat eating my toasted sandwich and drinking my coffee I read my book and then set off for a walk in Burnside Park.  There I found a bench in the sunshine and sat reading, until I decided it was time for lunch.

I walked back across the park towards Brown's Cafe.  In one direction could be seen the hills outside the

city of Christchurch.  In the opposite direction could be seen the snow capped mountains.  I settled for an

iced chocolate and meat pie for lunch, again sitting outside with my book.  A bunch of middle aged locals sat at the table next to me.  One of the ladies produced pads of sketches, which she said had been done by her 91 year old mother over the years, many of buildings no longer standing.  She was going to publish them with the proceeds going to the Christchurch Re-building Fund.  Back at the motel they called a cab for me which took me to 126 Sealey Avenue, the temporary staging post for the InterCity coaches.  We were about half an hour late in leaving.

  I was the second person on the bus and made a grave mistake.  I took the window seat behind the driver.  First there was nowhere to stretch my feet forward, and secondly at the second stop in Christchurch I got a fellow traveller sitting next to me, so I couldn't move my feet sideways.  I was trapped!  Trapped for 6 hours with just a break outting in Timaru where we stopped for a 20 minute break. Driving out of Christchurch I saw several heaps of rubble as well as the remnants of a church.

  The last two hours of the journey were in night time darkness and we duly arrived half an hour late.  But Scott was there, and it wasn't far to his home.  We had several cups of tea and caught up with each other's lives.  Scott has a temporary lodger, Michael who I haven't met yet, so he has given me his bedroom and he slept on the couch.  His parents were over in December/January and he took them around New Zealand, so he has a good idea of where I should go on my travels.  We will discuss this further over the weekend, but apparently tomorrow we are going on a half hour flight over Dunedin!  I adjourned to bed about 1.30am.

NEW COUNTRY - NEW ZEALAND

THURSDAY 28th APRIL

    Still hammering down when we got up at 4.00am.  Robert loaded up his Chelsea picture and a bag into his car - the start of clearing out of Ward Street.  We drove over to pick up Jane's car because she has the motorway tags in it.  Getting to the airport at 5.00am it still left plenty of time for Robert to get to work for 7.30am and drop Jane's car off in Epping.

  I booked in pretty quickly and had no problem with my 29Kg suitcase.  Much to my disgust my lounge pass was not valid for the Business Lounge in Sydney, so I had to go and sit with the plebs by the departure gate.  Dawn broke and what a miserable one it was too, dark and wet, but plenty of action on the tarmac with loads of flights coming and going.

  I got a window seat in the 7th row, with the two adjoining seats empty, so I had a quick getaway when disembarking. I read a book most of the way, apart from the break for breakfast.  As we started getting nearer New Zealand the clouds that had lined our route hitherto melted away leaving a clear view of the fast approaching coastline of New Zealand.  And what an imposing side it was with the snow capped peaks of the west coast.

   I filled in the visitor's card on board - it kind of replaces a visa as far as I could make out - and got a very friendly welcome from the immigration lady, who after a few questions wished me a happy stay in New Zealand.  I popped into the Gents and upon coming out immediately spotted my suitacase on the conveyer belt. After assuring the Customs that I had no fruit or food in my luggage, and passing it through an X-Ray machine I found myself officially in New Zealand.

  I found an ATM and stocked up on NZ dollars and then went in search my shuttle bus.  I drew a blank, but a help desk quickly located the hotel I was booked into and arranged for their shuttle car to come and pick me up in "6 minutes sir".  And indeed that was the case.  Again extreme friendliness all round.  I checked into the Aiport Delta Motel, which is quite close to the airport.  Although it is a beautiful sunny day, I was glad of my fleece lined jacket as there is a distinct nip in the air - and I'm not referring to the Japs!

It has WiFi - hence this updated blog.  A three minute walk round the corner saw me in Brown's Cafe where a pot of tea and a stuffed enchilado did me for lunch.  I have a large room with a massive bed, a settee, a table with two chairs, a bathroom with shower but no bath, a fridge, sink and microwave and kettle.  There is also a TV with loads of Sky channels - many of them showing rugby! Only slight problem is I have to vacate the room at 10.00am and my coach to Dunedin leaves at 2.00pm, but I can leave the luggage here.


   I set of for a stroll with a street map in hand - they are kindly provided for patrons in reception.  I walked across a large park where the rugby players were practising assiduously, and the sun continued to shine.

I followed the map to the Avonhead Shopping Mall - which turned out to be much further than it at first looked and promptly gave up all further thoughts of walking towards the town centre.  I purchased a bottle of Pinot Grigio, a packet of salami and some rolls, and turned around and headed back to the motel.  As I write this, the time is 5.30pm and the sun is just setting - I reckon by 6.00pm it will be dark.  Anyway I have drink and sustenance in house, plenty on the telly and a large bed to recline in - what more could a man desire?  (Answers on £20 notes addressed to Adam Komorowski).

GOODBYE TO WARD STREET

WEDNESDAY 27th APRIL

  Didn't sleep well at all, got up and had a bath, and gave Reilly a couple of treats.  It was just too wet to take him out for a walk especially as my old shoes (muddied as they are) were placed in the garage and the garage was locked, so I only had my travelling boots to wear and I didn't want to get them filthy nor get myself and Reilly soaking wet.  I let him come indoors and lie beside me as I did things on the computer and then took my leave of him.  (I think he thought I was telling him that I was taking him for a walk, so he must have been disillusioned to see me walking down the path).  I didn't have the heart to look back on him.

  I caught a bus to Mount Druitt and then a train to Eastwood and caught a bus to the Marist College and walked down to Ward Street with my laden shoulder bag.  I phoned Rob to find out what time he was coming home and as it was 4.00pm, I decided to wait for him. When he got there he went and paid the outstanding rent and gave in his notice.  He is quitting the place on Saturday.  His landlord said they would miss him!  End of an era.

   He then drove me down to the Post Office where I posted cards for Andrew and Shauna's birthdays.  Then it was on to meet Pav for a farewell drink at the Epping Hotel.  His mother Gloria was in hospital with a back problem, but in her impatience to go somewhere with her zimmerframe failed to apply the brake and fell and broke her arm.  Most of the time was spent with Pav relating the stories of his visits to the hospital, and just one about the iniquities of the taxman!

  We then drove on to get Jane and Nick from their new abode in 'Pa's house, and went to a local curry shop where Nick had some butter chicken, needless to say a substancial portion went in a doggie bag to take

home, although he did eat some of it.  We then went for a coffee and cake in a cafe before dropping Jane and Nick back home.  He confidently said "See you next year", and after a couple of quick hugs we were off to Eastwood.  It poured all night and I had great difficulty getting to sleep, with the alarm set for 4.00am.

WET WET WET

TUESDAY 26th APRIL

  I stirred about 9.00am, my back was still a bit stiff, but the eggs and bacon went down a treat.  Weather was overcast and very wet.  I took Reilly out for a walk yesterday but returned with my shoes coated in mud, and Reilly sopping wet, so I didn't repeat the performance this morning.

  Mid morning Robert announced that we would be off to Carlingford in about 20 minutes.  It continued overcast and predominantly wet.  We met up with Jane and Nick on the playing fields round the corner from the flat.  They had rugby posts up and whilst it initially rained, the weather relented and there was even a spot of sunshine whilst Nick practised his place kicks with an occasional kick from Robert and myself, and a few attempts from Jane, albeit she soon left us to our own devices. After prolonged kicking and some coaching from myself (I was a place kicker in the latter stages of my career when I played full back).  We then had a game of Rugby League, with Nick making the proviso that he didn't have to tackle grandad, only touch him.  However the combination of Robert and I versus Nick soon meant that I was recruited to play on Nick's side.  I was pleased to get a good crunching tackle in on Robert, this some 28 years after playing my last game of rugby!  The net result of all this was that my clothes had to go in the washing machine when I got home, let alone Nicks's and Robert's.  The rain started coming down again and Robert called it a day and we trudged back up the hill to the car park.

  We made our way to Carlingford Court where we met up with Jane.  I had a strawberry milkshake whilst we waited for her to arrive and then joined her and Robert in a coffee whilst Nick indulged in his usual KFC meal.  We then our seperate ways with Nick going back to Epping whilst we headed back to Oakhurst.  I completed my packing when my clothes had been washed a dried, as Robert is going to take my case with him in the morning and meet up with me in Eastwood.

  Jeannette cooked another superb meal, chicken in a white sauce with Camembert topped with asparagus and potato wedges - the mouth waters just at the thought of it.  It was a quiet evening watching TV, and then it was time to bid Jeannette goodbye.  I watched a bit more myself and then I too retired.

WIPEOUT

MONDAY 25th APRIL

  I was woken up by Robert from my sleep on the settee, and we drove back to Oakhurst.  I adjourned to my bed and stayed there until 4.00pm.  After a spot of dinner and a bath I returned to bed, but had great difficulty in getting to sleep - and that was Monday that was.

EASTER SUNDAY

SUNDAY 24th APRIL

  We set off after 9.00am for Carlingford to see Nick.  He and Jane are in the throes of moving in with 'Pa in Epping, and Jingles is getting acclimatised to having vast areas to rush around in.  Next week he will be allowed out into the garden.  Nick was out in the garden practising his place kicks with his new rugby ball.  It didn't take him long to hoof one into the branches of a tree, and there it stayed.  He and Robert tried kick and throwing footballs up at it, and were joined by Jane, but all to no avail.  In the proccess, Nick kicked one of the footballs over the fence, and had to be lifted over to retreive it.  Eventually Robert tired of this sport and retired from the fray.  I then decided to have a go, but I picked a brick which was considerably heavier.  At the third attempt I dislodged the rugby ball and down it came.  Nick was awaiting the arrival of his two young cousins and then they would go hunting for the hidden Easter Eggs.  We took our leave and departed for Oakhurst.

  After a bit of rest we set off for Penrith and the Caceres household.  It was noticed that the three sisters were all colour co-ordinated - somebody dubbed the Blue Mountain Girls!

The weather was quite nice and the dinner was cooked on the BBQ and we ate outside.  (I did at one point change into my fleece lined shirt though!).  The evening wore on and people disappeared, Juan for one, only to re-appear again.

I sat there quietly drinking my white wine - everybody else seemed to be on red or beers.  In time it was just Juan and I left there.  He filled up the outside fire with wood and got a merry blaze going, so that the chill of the night did not impair on our proceedings.  I've no idea what time I adjourned but it must have been pretty late!

QUIET EASTER SATURDAY

SATURDAY 23rd APRIL

  Rob and Jeannette went out shopping to Mount Druitt, whilst I did.....not a lot!   A bit of work on the computer, reading, taking the dog for a walk and ultimately watching a bit of telly.  I offered to take the pair out for a meal before I left and they opted for today.  We ordered a cab but Rob go fed up waiting and drove us to the pub.  The grub was good and after the meal we returned home.  The United game was on live that evening and I watched that.  Rob then informed me that the Spurs v West Brom game was on shortly after that and I stayed up to watch that - not sure if it was worth the effort!

NOT A GOOD FRIDAY FOR WEST TIGERS

FRIDAY 22nd APRIL

  The day started in the same vein as yesterday with the sun smiling down benevolently on the good citizens of Sydney.  Jeannette cooked breakfast for all of us, and I did the usual business walking the dog and working on the computer.  However after getting up from a session I found my back had seized up on the left hand side and I could only walk at a tilt!

  At 4.00pm we set off to pick up Nick from Epping - he and Jane are in the throes of moving in with 'Pa.  Simon was there with his two daughters who chased after Nick wanting to give him a goodbye kiss, something he wasn't overkeen on!  Rob, Nick and I set off for the stadium adjacent to the SCG, which is where West Tigers were playing tonight against the top team, the Broncos, from Queensland.  We arrived good and early and I had plenty of time to buy Nick a Tiger's rugby ball.  We got some good seats and I then went off to buy some food for Nick and myself.  Robert then went off to get some chips and bumped into his mate Harry and his son who came and joined us.  There was an under-19s game on when we arrived that the Tigers won fairly comprehensively and this was followed by what looked like 6 or 7 year olds playing rugby.  The teams then came out for a warm up watched from the sides by the youngsters, before the game proper started.

  The first half did not prove to be a good one for the Tigers.  The Broncos' winger caught a high cross kick and went over, the Tiger's full back got tackled five yards from the goal line, dropped the ball which was picked up by a Broncos' player who dived over to score.  A third try was scored by the opposition and all three were coverted.  Eventually the Tigers managed to get one back, but the Broncos kicked a drop goal to make the score at halftime 6-25.  The entertainment proved at half time was possibly better than the team's performance in the first half.  There was a race between various mascots in costumes, which was won by what looked like Mr Mushroom but was in fact The Muffin Man.  There was a race between the two teams in inflatible rollers with two guys running inside to make them turn.  Tigers were well in the lead but fluffed it on the home straight and lost!

  The Tigers fared much better in the second half scoring two converted tries bringing the score to 18-25 before the Broncos scored again to kill off the game with a final score of 18-31.  By the time the match was over by back was in a really bad way and I struggled to get back to the car - no way could I keep up with the dashing pace was setting, as my shuffling gait was not suited to fast progress!  It at least gave Nick a chance to play with his new ball, although that did accidently hit the occasional passersby!

  We dropped Nick off at Epping, and changed cars back to Robert's (Jane's has the tags for going along the motorways so we had done a swop).  Nick's ideas of having a kick around in the garden were quashed as it was gone half ten when we got back.  He'll have to wait until Tuesday when Rob and I will take him to the park.  We came off the motorway only to find a spot police check and they were breathalysing every driver.  Robert truthfully answered that he didn't have a drop all evenining, but said he could do with one after watching the West Tigers!  He counted up to 10 on the breathalyser and we promptly sent on our way. It was about 11.30pm by the time we got home.  A beer went down a treat, and I couldn't be fagged running a bath to soak my back, which had been my intention earlier - it was off to bed and the land of nod!