6 May 2026 - Wellington to Christchurch

Travelling solo this time!

Allan is in Spain walking the Camino, so I am off for a wee break in Melbourne with my dear friend Nicola. First time departing from the Apartment in Lower Hutt, so I took the opportunity to drive back to Churton Park, and do a school pickup and then land on Michelle for the night.

She drove me into town and then I got on the Airport bus - pretty easy really and lots of time so had a pleasant coffee break before boarding my delayed flight to ChCh.

Had a long chat about the virtues of retirement village living with my older, widowed seat mate who was contemplating a move herself. I told her I was going to Melbourne for a girls' week. She saw Nicola waving enthusiastically at the arrivals gate and said to me ' You ARE going to have fun, aren't you?!'. That's the plan!

A lovely dinner and catch up before we hit the sack in preparation for an early wake up.