May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home

We just got back from a whirlwind tour that took us to Tucson, Arizona for a wedding and family reunion. Nothing will be said about those events at this time. If you were there, you know what fun we all had.

Let me tell you about overseas air travel.

If you take the actual flying time, waiting time, driving time... you might as well figure 24 hours if you are going to New Zealand. The poor folks like us can do it for about $1500/person. If you have money, there is business class. We were able to sneek a peek into that section during boarding. It looked like there was heaps of walking around space and some sort of lounge chair seats. I'm sure the food and drink was flowing all day and night. Probably warm moist towelettes to wipe lobster sauce from the hands and face.

If you are super rich, there is a stairway to heaven on the plane that goes to some sort of first class area. We believe there are couches, big screen TV, buffet food and naked playboy bunnies in hot tubs.

Like a fool, I always ask if there is room in first class when we pick up our boarding passes. It does not work that way sir. We will never see first class. Kimberly thinks we might. Or, SHE might.

OUR seats, meanwhile, were 3 across, quite small. Being the gentleman, I took the center seat and gave Kimberly the aisle. I thought it was going to be for the first 6 hours and then we would switch.

It did not work that way sir.

After 12+ hours, 2 movies, 2 meals, very sore butts, we landed in Nelson.

The car was still there waiting, so we jumped in and readied ourselves for the 5 minute ride to our rental. It didn't work that way.

We got rear ended by a guy who did not see us stop at a light. He was very apologetic and took the blame. We both have the same insurance company. To be honest, everyone in town has the same company. A cop came along. He did not issue any tickets, but told us to work it out and he went on his way. Welcome to New Zealand.

As luck would have it, the other driver owns his own panel beating shop. Panelbeaters are body shops. So all will be well.

We got to the rental, moved all our stuff to the new house, had a man shampoo the carpets, went out to dinner, watched a torrential rainfall, and passed out in our little sleepout due to wet carpet everywhere else.

Here are some pics of the house and yard and view.