Here we are sat in row 20 of a jet star Boeing 737 enroute from Sydney to Auckland. Our flight from Hong Kong to Sydney was delayed for an hour which meant that the connection at Sydney was looking dodgy. The flight to Sydney was on the new Airbus 380….massive aircraft with fab seats …But for some reason none of us slept…hmmmmm so we are now all exhausted.

After we landed at Sydney the airline staff read out our names saying we had to rush to the gate to meet our connection….poor Juney…she had tried to run but struggled with her blisters.

Anyway, with seconds to spare we made it…phew…. BUT…..would our bags make it?

Well the answer to that question is a big NO !!!!!

Having safely arrived in Auckland after a fairly pleasant flight, we managed to crawl through immigration only to watch the baggage carousel go around and around and around until a chap came along and told us that all the bags had been unloaded. To be honest we were not surprised and so we trotted off to the baggage claim desk to fill in the paperwork and receive an apologise bag from Qantas - a bag containing a washbag and a set of pajamas !!!!

Still, never mind. I was nervous that the car rental place was about to shut (They closed at 5pm and it was now 4.30) and so without waiting for Simon I dashed off to be picked up by the car rental company. I had only waited 2 minutes when Simon walked through the door - looking a little scruffy but not bad seeing as though he had been living in a hostel for 9 months. I cannot describe the absolute joy at seeing Simon and giving him a massive hug…. Fabulous.

The Car rental pick up went smoothly and off we went to Devonport to meet the Barkers. We found the house easily enough and there they were to greet us….with a lovely cold bottle of pink bubbly - Brilliant. The rest of the evening was spent catching up and trying to stay awake - Shelley did well and managed to last until 9pm. June and I managed to stay until 1030 and then couldn't cope any longer….off to bed Knackered but elated.