I got my dates wrong, that is what comes from not keeping up to date with my blog so the second part is Katharine's last day which was 16 July.
We were up early and sorted out and I took Tot over to kennels and Heather and Katharine were ready when I got back and we set off to the airport to catch the 9.15 flight to Auckland to meet Jon.
Our flight was on time and a small 19 seat plane. The pilot said the flight would be bumpy to start until we got over the Kaimais. We took off and it was a little bumpy but I didn't think it was too bad at all. However, as we were making our descent into Auckland it was really, really bumpy. I turned round to look at Heather and Katharine and Heather was white and Katharine was a sort of green colour while a girl behind them was crying!!!! Fortunately, we landed safely and I had to be the adult and put a brave face on.
Jon was there to meet us and as it was too early to check into our hotel we went directly to Auckland Museum. We have never been there before so it was new for us, too. It is a really lovely building set on a hill and looks really old but isn't. We chose to see the Maori cultural show as Katharine had not seen any Maori things and it was a cheaper option than the one in Rotorua.
There were only about ten in the theatre and we had a front row seat so were able to get some good photos. The show was very enjoyable and the hunky men stood outside for the girls to have photos taken after the show which they enjoyed.
The museum is really good and we spent ages there and had lunch in the cafe and finally left at about 3.00 as we wanted to go to the Sky Tower. We couldn't really see very far as it was misty and a few showers were crossing Auckland. It was the first time we have not had a good view from up there and it was a bit of a shame for Katherine.
We had some photos taken up there on what they call a 'green wall' where they put the background in of your choice. Jon and I had one taken of me pushing him off the Sky Tower and another holding Kiwi birds and both are really good. The girls had one with the Kiwis and another showing them doing a bungy jump of the tower, it is all very clever stuff.
We were very tired by this time and were glad to get to the hotel for a rest and a cup of tea.
We got ready for dinner and went and had a nice cocktail in the hotel bar. The girls went across the road to -5 Degrees Ice Bar. Heather had discount tickets for them both. When we visited we were able to take as many photos as we liked but now they have a photographer and you are not allowed to take your own!!! So they had to buy the photos which is a bit of a shame but they are good and as they said they will never go there again.
We went out to a very nice little Italian place to eat. Apparently it is new and the waiter asked us how we heard about it but we told him we had seen it when walking back from the tower and it was close to our hotel. As it turned out it was a good find and we all enjoyed it.
Back to the hotel and more than ready for bed and Katharine still has no idea why she is in Auckland!!!
WEATHER
Cloudy with occasional showers.
Katharine's Last Day
We sorted out the packing and Katharine's luggage and then took Tot to kennels before setting off.
The journey up to Auckland was the usual boring trip with a stop by the big L & P bottle in Paeroa for a photo. Katharine and I used the toilets in the car park and they were very plush. Once you lock the door music starts to play and a voice tells you you have 10 minutes!!! Not sure what happens after 10 minutes but I think the door might unlock itself!!!
We drove directly to the zoo, Katharine has never been to a zoo and so although I don't particularly like Auckland zoo we decided to take her there. The weather was by now more cloudy with some heavy showers.
We were walking along a wooden boardwalk which said 'slippery when wet' and I was just about off it when I slipped and went flat on my back much to the amusement of Jon, Heather and Katharine!! I managed to hang on to my umbrella, like Mary Poppins but the pain in my left thigh was unbearable and I really thought I had broken my leg. I managed to get up but felt pretty sick so we went and sat down for a drink and some lunch.
I managed to hobble my way around for the rest of the afternoon and we dodged the showers. The zoo was worse than it was when we took Jane as they are doing a lot of building which is good but not a lot to see. Plus as it was such a miserable day not many animals were outside so a bit of a disappointment for Katharine's first visit to a zoo but she seemed to enjoy it anyway.
We left the zoo and headed to the Novotel at the airport and I was glad to put my feet up for an hour. Heather and Katharine went across to the airport for dinner and found out that Katharine's flight was delayed by two and a half hours. She was due to fly out at five minutes past midnight!!!
Jon and I went down to the hotel restaurant for dinner a bit later and the girls joined us after they had checked Katharine in,for a drink and a bowl of chips. I had a very nice pizza.
We went across to the airport to see if we could find out what would happen if the flight was late and Katharine missed her London connection as she was very worried about it, she was due to have a two hour stopover in Kuala Lumpur anyway. They said they couldn't say for sure but the plane might be held up if not she, and all the other passengers, would be put into a hotel as the next flight was not for 12 hours!!!! We had to call her dad and tell him and told him to track her flight so that he would know - a drive to Heathrow from Chesterfield 12 hours early would not be a lot of fun!!! With all this 'toing' and 'froing' from the airport we were so glad we had chosen to stay across the road otherwise we would have had to sit in the airport till 1.00 with her. As it was the girls came over to the hotel and used the gym then watched some TV before she went across to go through to departures at 1.00. Jon and I went to bed but Heather texted me to say she had gone and so I was finally able to go to sleep.
WEATHER
The weather was a bit cloudy with a few showers 15 degrees
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