The Journey

Very sad to say final goodbyes at airport, but got a wee bit excited on plane. Easy flight to London. Immediately struck by how friendly people were. I thought London wasn't? Next stage exciting because we had all these movies and music to listen to. bit of a problem when I was watching Sex In The City and there were naked people frolicking about - I felt as though I was watching dirty movies and everyone could see me doing so.  Saw stewardess coming with coffee and panicked. Managed to freeze frame on man's naked bum just as she asked me what I'd like!!
Children's eyes began to stare in their heads when afternoon tea arrived around 3am. Los Angeles customs a bit intimidating. Elderly lady put us through our paces and was wearing a gun.
Next stage to Auckland seemed shockingly long. Everyone managed a bit of a sleep, but when we crossed the equator, with 7 hours flying time left, the plane dropped so suddenly and sharply with turbulence that would have satisfied an adrenaline junky. Everyone yelped and I tried to reassure Finn that this was perfectly normal, whilst mentally preparing myself for holding onto two children as we free-falled through the air, hopefully landing on a bit of fuselage and tried not to think of what sharks may lurk down there in the never-ending sea.  It really did feel as though some damage must have been done to the plane.
Auckland was immediately warm and welcoming. The pilot spoke in a warm and friendly tone as he told us that we would have a smooth beginning to the flight but should expect turbulence as we got closer to Queenstown. 120km winds, but nice at ground level. We rocked about at the beginning of the flight and I gripped the seat, staring straight ahead as I imagined the even worse approach to Queenstown. He asked the flight attendants to sit down early as winds were up to 180kms. Having survived thus far, it seemed a shame to die when we were so close to our destination.  After some intense anticipation on my part, where I could no longer offer reassurance to the children (who didn't looked remotely bothered,) we floated down to ground level as smooth as a bird coming in to land. Stunning. I had come all this way to have the life scared out of me, only to have the easiest landing ever. I think they make things up just to keep living on the edge. Spooks new boss did tell him that they'd re-directed a plane earlier, and last week he'd come in with one wing pointing at the runway, the other up in the sky, so the plane had just shot back up and returned to Christchurch without landing.
Welcome to New Zealand.