Thursday 15th November

Docked at about seven this morning at Tauranga and took a few pictures of the sun....rare sight now that we have hit NZ.  Down to breakfast and into the lounge to await the tour of the thermal hot mud fields, lunch on a paddle steamer while being serenaded by  a Maori group.  This afternoon we did a kiwi regeneration project and that's the bird not the fruit.  Lovely day out and took just over two hundred photos and too knacked this evening to go through them and select a few treasures for you so you'll have to wait until tomorrow.  Docking in Auckland tomorrow and sadly it will be the last stop before Sydney and weather dependent as to whether we go ashore or not.  

Show tonight covered the British music invasion around the time of the Beatles and still unsure what they were trying to achieve.  Off to my virtuous pit...photos will follow...promise....LN

Friday 16th November

So we arrived in Auckland and the view of the sunrise from the balcony promised an iffy sort of day for weather but the sun came out and only a few light showers this afternoon.  We went ashore and walked round the city but it was too big to get it all in and yesterday was quite a tiring day so back on to the ship for a late lunch.  The film 'My Fair Lady' was showing on the big screen so I watch the second half and reminisced that it was probably fifty five years ago that I saw the play in London with my mother....or even longer.

So tonight is supposed to be a deck party but I think some of the passengers have started early.  The ship has been a little more relaxed about bringing alcohol on board so there have been a few bottles cracked open since it is out last port of call and now it is a three day sea treck to Sydney. I think I shall forgot the festivies....having successfully managed to stave off a serious cold with honey and lemon despite the evil intent of some of the other passengers that cough and hack all  over the place....don't want to tempt fate.

Took pickies of the small boats in the harbour and our departure.  Auckland bay is huge and it appears to be completely built up.  It's a long way to the open road toad.

Hair washed, showered and time to glam up....LN...I have things to do...

Saturday 17th November

Well the 17th brings back memories....it would have been my sister's birthday today but the dreaded 'c' got in the way.  

As for the cruise...we are in the middle of the Tasman Sea....the waves are going well as are the rain and the wind.  Had a minor glimpse of the sun today as I waited outside for the morning TV on the big screen but the weather got the better of me and I returned to the warmth of the cabin.  The main reason for going up on deck was to bring back the lemon and honey hot water speciality that seems to be keeping the germs away.  The ship is full of sniffers and coughers and I think I've done well to managed to stave off most of the germs.

Picked up a Patricia Cornwell from the  library this morning and I have precisely three days to read it.  I saw it there in the first week but when I went back for it it was on loan so grabbed it and ran this morning.  I'm not sure if I've read it before but it must have been a few years ago.  The story seems distant but it's still a good read.

Tonight's entertainment is a talent show made up of the crew that work at other jobs.  There was supposed to be a passengers talent show this afternoon but only three managed to avoid the dreaded lurgy mantling the ship.  Tonignt's dress is smart casual so not a lot of effort will go into it.  A little red before we go up for supper.....and hopefully we will have a full table of six tonight but I'm not holding out much hope on one,  He missed last night and this afternoon I did concoct my special flu remedy and sent it down to the cabin with his wife....let's see if the miracle cure worked....LN....supper calls...

Sunday 18th November

Well the sun was shining this morning although very weakly so down to the back of the ship after breakfast, on with the swimming costume which only got uncovered briefly until back the sun went behind the cloud and back in for a warm.  Only managed to knock up nine points out of twenty in the quiz today, down this afternoon to watch the newly formed passenger choir and back to the cabin this afternoon with the rest of my book to finish before we land.  Had a bit of a surprise...there were whales out and suddenly there was something bigger.  The Dawn Princess was sailing towards NZ but there was not horn tooting as we passed which was a bit of a surprise but maybe our bridge were asleep thinking that there wouldn't be anything out in that weather.

This evening there was the captain's leaving party with free drinkies, then on to supper, cabaret and then the balloon party in the atrium with the resident group working its little socks off.  Managed to last through until eleven fifteen but we  have the saving grace of gaining back one of the hours that we lost on our way to NZ and tomorrow we get back the other.  So ready to turn in....packing tomorrow and working out what needs to be left out of the suitcase for the journey home.  Ready to go....it's been a long time on the ship....LN and just a few pickies of the events.

Monday 19th November

So where has the last five weeks gone.....I've just finished my packing and it's again like trying to get a quart into a pint pot.  Haven't bought anything except two bottles of exceptional port that were too good to miss but my luggage seems to have put on weight just the same as I have.  And yes I have...the saying goes that we come on as passengers and go off as cargo.

Tonight there is the invitation to party until dawn but I think I'll give it a miss.  There will be the usual round of swapping emails and addresses and the promise that 'well if you are ever in the UK or BG look me up.  It would be nice to think that some will but I'll just have to wait and see.  I have my email connection until tomorrow morning when I get off and so I might update if there is anything to report but I'm eyes down and thinking about the onward journey.

LN....it might be a couple of days but by then I should be in and around our own time zone so it might even be only one day.  Got a job to do when I get back.  While I have been away there have been three and a half thousand applications to join the site from the advertising specialists with most peculiar email addresses and user names...no chance or fat chance....LN....supper calls...

Tuesday 20th November

Up at silly o'clock to watch the sail in under the bridge back into Sydney.  Very nostalgic.....it seems ages since we left and now back to sense and sensibility.  Off the ship by ten and out with old friends who live south of Sydney to catch a few more sights and over to the airport for seven for the ten thirty flight.  Saw Bondii Beach, had lunch in a super fish restaurant further along the coast south of Sydney and watched hang gliders take off and land.  Fed friendly birds on the hotel roof while sipping a beer and filling in time until we went to the airport.  Panicked a little at weght in and had to remove a couple of items from my luggage and put it into hand luggage....I seem to do it everytime.

Just a few of the last hours.....

Thursday 22nd November....

Well I'm back to the UK.....washing blowing in the gale force winds...suit case unpacked and stuff ready for packing.  The flight was long, boring but the hospitality between flights by China Southern cannot be faulted.  So just a couple taken from the plane on the journey and I've had my first sighting of snow but rain and howling winds greeted us as we landed last night.  Ah well....let's get on with the day...

Friday 23rd November

I'm cold, I'm missing the sun and the television is rubbish.  I have so much to do and I know that I shall be leaving it all to the last minute.  It confirms that I've moved on from England and miss having the routine of Bulgaria.  

So while I'm here I might as well think about Christmas shopping and get them packed up and under early trees and cards written.  It's been a couple of years since I sent out other than family so I shall be able to post early for the festivities which should please the post office.

Had a bit of a panic on this morning....the card on my camera was full and I'd changed the power input cable end to Europe by removing the end of the plug and could I find it, could I buggery.  I turned out all the corners and now battery restored to full power and I can download the photos on to the laptop.  My next job is to go through them and put them in some sort of order and delete the rubbish.  You only had the tip of the iceberg but the best may I add.

So time for another coffee with maybe a little brandy to warm the cockles....I think a trip down to the local for fish and chips might be on tonight....cooking seems to be out of the question...LN...shopping in Brighton tomorrow.

Hi Elsa, Glad you made it back ok. Was thinking of that long trip back for you both. Hope you did enjoy your time away. As I said before great to see you and hope it was the same for you. Look out for small xmas gift coming your way and a letter I forgot to put in is also on its way.lol   Take care and have a wonderful xmas and New Year. xxxx Linda.