Strong cross winds and aeroplanes are not a good combination for nervous flyers and so it was on the Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Christchurch on the night of the 24/1/13.

Two hours into our flight, the plane started to shake violently upsetting the coolest of travellers, the flight attendants looked visibly tense. Heather, sensing the tension aboard took command of the situation and said loudly "we are going to die". The flight attendant released her trolley, which came to rest by jamming in our seat - "do you serve complementary wine?" Heather asked. The response was negative but they decided to give H a free bottle for medicinal purposes. The plane regained its stability, the attendants their composure and the flight returned to normality - Phew!

We arrived in Christchurch at about 2:00 am and taken to our accommodation by shuttle bus. The shuttle dropped people off around the city - it was a spooky experience, much of the city has not been repaired from the earthquake and driving past collapsed buildings in the darkness felt like moving through a war zone. We finally reached our accommodation - It was a Jailhouse. Breaking in to a jailhouse at 3 in the morning is a bizarre experience and our room was a real cell complete with bunk beds and steel door - Just like Porridge.

"Goodnight Fletcher", "Goodnight Godber"