Back home from an enjoyable UK trip and getting back to NZ normality.

The return leg went pretty well, the Heathrow Qantas lounge worth the expense being able to recharge, refuel and get a pre-flight shower.

The flight to Hong Kong went quickly thanks for an umpteenth viewing of the Avengers Infinity War & Endgame films plus a couple of naps.

Transfer in Hong Kong gave me the chance to enjoy the “sky garden” along with a hundred Asian smokers puffing away in work breaks or between flights. Cool to see a bunch of dragonflies having a passive smoke amongst the wilting flowers.

Bonus on the AirNZ flight to Auckland – last year’s Premium Economy trip secured me Silver Airpoints status which enabled me to put a request in for getting bumped up to Premium again on this flight, which I hadn’t realised until boarding I had been granted, so that flight came with extra legroom, wider seat and better food!

The only hassle on the journey was Auckland Airport’s inability to unload the cases from the flight (30 minute delay) with the clock ticking for bag drop for the domestic flight.

Also had to declare some food items in luggage including 3 tins of Heinz chicken soup (I know, pretty sad but you can’t get them over here). Apart from the Customs guy’s silent judgement they got cleared and I managed to get through biosecurity in time to make the Wellington flight.

Great to get home and enjoy some time with The Duchess and fluffy, to unpack and get back into my own bed.

After a crap night’s sleep I’ve left the luggage at the hotel and walked over to The British Museum to catch some culture before heading home.

There’s been an outcry recently about a curator helping himself to thousands of artifacts from their – seemingly undocumented – collection. Bit rich given we pilfered most of it from their sources.

The highlight for me was definitely the Rosetta Stone, along with some beautifully carved though damaged Egyptian, Greek and Roman statues.

Now sitting in a restaurant across the road called “Munchkins” waiting on a foutlr

There were no West End shows this evening, so after a nice steak (served up on a wooden board and eaten with a little cleaver cos it’s poncy London innit?) On a whim I took a dusk bus tour, and was treated to a gorgeous sunset to grab some pictures with, though once the sun went down the temperature dropped quickly.

Finished up the evening with a beer in Leicester Square watching the World go by before heading back to the linen cupboard of a hotel room.

Got to see some major art works at the National Gallery this afternoon, spread out across a massive site. Felt quite cultured but must confess I got art-ed out after an hour and skipped to the headliners.

After a lovely week and a half with The Oldies it’s time to begin the return leg, this time with a day stopover in London to catch a few sights and a show.

Found a decently (for central London) priced hotel with good reviews so booked ahead. I can see why my room was cheap – it’s tiny!! I can genuinely touch the opposing walls at the same time! Still it has a comfy double bed, a toilet (that I could probably pee into while lying down) and a shower, and it’s bang in the middle of the West End so it’ll do for me.

Now to see if I can snag a return ticket for a show tonight before I leg it over to the National Gallery!

Second Friday in Hull, so last chance this trip to take the Oldies to local fish restaurant Papa’s for a nice battered haddock and a couple of waht wahns (got the accent back) to wash it down. Delicious!

Six races and all won by blue or green. Bloody Green Steve, you’re useless!

Been out to Cannon Hall Farm with The Oldies, Sissyface and her family – after a lot of aimless driving round the countryside cursing the lack of road signs – to wander round looking at, erm, farm animals and that.

Misread the local pizza shop’s special offers and accidentally ordered All The Pizzas, which we struggled to make a dent in.

I present to you the latest artwork in Hull (City of Culture 2017) – The Leaning Tower of Pizzas.

Enjoyed the chance to catch up with most of Man’s side of the family over a typical British BBQ.

Cuzzie Jack and his wife Stiff were also over from Papamoa on a much grander 5 week trip taking in a dance competition in LA and sightseeing in NY and London. Both fun company as usual and nice to meet their youngest.