Just about back into routine after vitually sleep walking through the last two days and it's time to get back to reality. The holiday washing is all done and may even get ironed.....eventually.
The flights with Royal Brunei were again all good and it's an airline I'd definitely recommend as long as you can go 24 hours without alcohol. The food is decent and if you don't mind the ups and downs I reckon doing the Melbourne trip in three stages is the way to go. Just don't choose an option with a long stay in Brunei as there is literally nothing to do there. At least on the way back they had newly opened what was their version of KFC, but they called it the Golden Egg and it didn't look good. It would take a braver man than me to take it on with some 13 hours of flying still to get through. Fortunately my fellow travellers had the same thoughts and the toilets for the last two flights were usually available when needed. I managed to get three seats to myself again for the last flight and have definitely got the knack for seat selection when checking in online.
Despite having to wait a while for an available slot to land in both Dubai and then London the flights all came in reasonably on time. That's 11 flights with no problems for me and my luggage. Even had a bit of time to see a few London sights before the onward trip to Norwich. I could recall some Kiwis bemoaning the fact that their country had no real history compared to England and this was brought home to me when I saw more people taking photos of 'phone boxes in London than I had of any buildings in New Zealand or Australia. We really are lucky to have the history and these sights in the UK and we should definitely appreciate it more.
Even the last rail trip left London and arrived in Norwich on time, although I was grateful to a chap for giving me a shove to wake me up as he walked past when the rattler got in. Would have been a blow to wake up and find I was on my way back to the smoke. Interesting, having travelled through Paddington station, that they've now made a film about Paddington Bear from kiddies tv. Just waiting for a movie about Bagpuss now, or even Bod. A role for Karl Pilkington that, if ever I've seen one.
So that's another trip over and it was good to see another couple of great cities in Melbourne and Christchurch and a real bonus to see Dobbo and Aaron Watson at two of the matches. Also great to see Clanger and Colina, who kindly put me up again and a bit more of Tauranga, even Mount Maunganui. If you ever go there, just don't take on the hard route up the hill in your flip flops. It might not be Everest, but it's not Ketts Hill either.
Can't help noticing that I'm getting a lot of the blame for England's performances out there and now also getting stick for City losing while I was on the way home, but I don't appear to be getting any credit for bringing some Melbourne sunshine back with me!!! You people.......