Abroad Susan Mary 2025

Jan picked me up at the airport upon arrival. Once again,SingaporeAirlines advised me that they were not informed early enough, to provide me with a meal that was definitely free of mushrooms.  How much longer than over 6 months do they need?  Have filled out a survey and complained which will probably have about as much of a result as my complaint about the same situation when I travelled to the UK.  Very poor.  Very disappointing. Anyway, I was home by 9.30 am without a glitch - have since done three loads of washing (presently drying in front of my heat pump.)  Evidently Christchurch had very bad, strong winds yesterday - making the Alps particularly beautiful, laden with snow as we flew across them to the airport and the temperature was decidedly low, upon arrival. Have had seven “pop in” visitors throughout the day.  I’d better, get myself into bed now though - before I turn into a pumpkin. 

 Yesterday was pretty wet but the temperature was far more pleasant.   Not the promised storm from the previous day, but pretty wetting.  Part of our Singapore costs included 2 days’ “free” rides on the “hope on/hop off” two storey open topped bus .  Not many people braved the top deck -  but the drivers handed out “attractive” yellow plastic capes with hoods to folk as they embarked.  We were already soaked by the time we got on, so neither of us used ours - I’ll keep it for a special occasion at home, instead!! Because we COULD, we hopped off at one stop and had a look around.  With an hour between buses, and with the onset of the rain, perhaps it wasn’t our best decision of the week but all part of the experience.  I’ve been keeping my eye open for a (cheaper than home) mahjong set on my travels, but have only found one place selling them - for $100+ - with a few “different” symbols, so have decided not to bother. In the evening, we went into ...

 What a busy day!  Another 10,000 steps according to Julie’s ap.   We woke reasonably early and breakfasted royally, before once more braving the underground, driverless train, to catch a bus which drove us around the city in a 90 minute circuit which gave us a bit of perspective around the city - at the end of which, we made our way to the Singapore Flyer (Ferris wheel) for a 30 minute circuit, giving us expansive views of the city as a whole - including the Formula 1 racing track being presently being prepared for the October event. I can’t say I’m over fond of heights but the views were spectacular and we really couldn’t feel it making its way round - but just to prove how very brave I was: We had the whole capsule to ourselves so moving around wasn’t quite as nerve wracking as it might have been … and so, possibly if our feet allow, we might go up to look at the view from the Skypark Observation deck, also pictured above, tomorrow.  It’s certainly in a commanding...

 Julia drove me to Heathrow and guided me through all the intricacies of self-service in the departure area.  I rather suspect I would still be there, wondering what to do, without her.   I thought Christchurch airport was awkward but it’s got a lot to learn about making the self-service department more complex.  However, once through that maze, I found the Assistance desk and life became much easier. As a result, after a quick look at the shops, I was taken (with 2 younger people in plaster casts and an older lady) to 3 separate “layovers” in different buggies.  I was grateful not to be having to walk all those distances - according to the notices normally it takes about 20 minutes. The Singapore Airlines pillow and see-through blanket were much the same quality as on the way TO the UK - and my window seat gave me a perfect view of one of the wings.    But at least this time I had only half the distance to travel - which was just as well, because one ...

 I will be swapping my British phone card back to my NZ one on the plane (around 7.30 pm.) If you need to get hold of me after that, you’ll need to use my usual NZ number:                                                 0064.21.650.582

Emma made a special effort to drive over for a couple of hours on Monday with 2 year old Charlotte - Thomas was on his first day back at school for the “new year”.   It was lovely to see them both and we had a toasted sandwich together in the township.  She needed to go back to pick Thomas up - he has a 6th  birthday coming up, so we picked up a couple of helium balloons to “get the party started”.    Julia and I enjoyed a bit of a competitive afternoon - Rummikub and Phase 10  - after they had gone so it was a nice relaxed time together … we were evenly matched although I MAY have lost that challenge.  But not the next one … hopefully. The UK, generally, has a bit of an invasion of spiders, coming in from the cold, at present.  I’m not overly fond of them at the best of times but it turned out I was slightly more able to deal with them than Julia was.   In fairness, they are also pretty quick on their feet so eventually Julia purchased ...