It's time for NZ wine in NZ, sitting at Level 50 at the Sky Tower, Auckland. Watching the twinkling lights of the city below.

I loved my Airbus A380-800 experience with Qantas. Much more legroom even in cattle class, much quieter and yummy food. But why was the plane called Reginard Ansett? I thought only Eddie Stobart lorries have names.

I'm sitting in T3 waiting for my flight. My friend Tony dropped me off at Heathrow extra early which meant I dropped my bag off without queuing. In fact I was the only person there. I'm on an A 380 airbus, the big planes with 2 floors. I did ask for a sit on the upper deck but it was hard enough getting an aisle seat from the lady at check-in. I'm flying via Dubai & Melbourne and finally get to Auckland at 6am Thursday morning. They are 12 hours ahead. Hopefu...

I've booked an expensive swanky hotel in Dubai for 3 nights on my way back from NZ. It's called Fairmont on the Palm. It's not the type of hotel I usually stay in but because I booked using Avios points I thought why not and it's free. I'm meeting Sian an ex work colleague in Auckland for lunch next Friday. Since returning to NZ about 8 years ago, she's met a man, got married and had a baby. I could get used to travelling round the world being a lady who lunche...

I've have now left work but going back to have a late leaving lunch with the Comm Ops team on Friday. I've looked at lots of websites and guidebooks this week, in between sitting in the sun, but not made any firm bookings apart from 2 nights hotel accommodation when I arrive in Auckland. I want to keep things as flexible as possible. 2 things to resolve - transport and type of accommodation. Darren - sorry but there is no room for you in my rucksack. Perhaps y...