HILARY ARRIVES IN NAPIER

Boxing Day, 27/28th December (Guest editor Hilary Hodge)

Well for those who follow Luke and James blog once again I have been designated by’ he who shall be obeyed’ to be the guest editor during my stay. Unfortunately I cannot replicate the amusing and insightful blogs which Luke does so expect a much more prosaic approach!
So what has happened so far. Sedbergh to Napier in one continuous journey is not a fun thing to do but something to be endured. Luke was appalled that I had ‘wasted’ money by upgrading to business class but I knew it was the only way I could survive the journey. ‘Take note of everything about business class’ Luke demanded as he said he would always be to mean to ever travel that way. So what are the benefits? The main one is that you can lie down properly and sleep comfortably which is what I spent most of the 27 hours flying time doing. I estimated that you have about 3 times the space you would have in cattle class – hence the huge difference in cost. Then there are the privileges – going down the priority lane to have bags checked - although unfortunately I missed that advantage as I hadn’t realised at Manchester – it was stamped on my ticket but being of a rather unobservant bent I didn’t notice until later ! - having white linen tablecloths plus decent meals with wine and drinks on tap as required, getting on and off the plane first so you are first in the queue for passports etc and ever attentive cabin crew to see to your every need.

We landed at Auckland around midnight and then I had to get the shuttle bus to the hotel. Next morning back to the airport for the one hour flight to Napier. So I arrived safely in Napier to the forecast of rain – must have brought it with me from Sedbergh! I was met from the plane by a friend of the boys as both were at work. However Luke came home for lunch and then took me out on his visits around the ‘council estate area’ visiting the tenants. If he hadn’t told me I would have thought it was ordinary housing as in comparison to England the housing stock looked much the same as other areas.

As by the evening the threatened rain stayed away we were able to sit outside and consume too many beers catching up with our respective lives.
29th December

James has finished work until 23rd January but Luke had to work today so James and I had the day to enjoy together. We both went to the chiropractor for a ‘top up’ before our trek next week – an interesting experience at his home which I had been warned was pretty chaotic – but the treatment was good.
We met up with Luke for lunch at Zig Zag where Luke had worked. It in a good location in the art deco town which is Napier and which reminds me of places in my childhood before the redevelopment mania took hold in England.

James and I then went to the lido and I swam outside and we sat in very warm pools and had a sauna. The evening brought odd spots of rain and an overcast sky but the threatened downpours have yet to materialise. However I awoke at 4am to a heavy downpour and it was still raining when I woke up. Never mind it is warm with it!

My first impressions – lots of lovely bird song, stunning trees and masses of colour from a wide range of flowers and plants, tin roofs on many houses, lots of space and houses of many and different designs but mainly built of wood and bungalows predominate.