MMDown Under

I'll let you know how it works on Virgin Voyages with its 21 restaurants. All are free but some need to be booked. Mine is a 11 day cruise, so no problem. However, it may be a problem booking particular popular restaurants on very short cruises.

What a wonderful memory of your WC with your weekly shop. Such a useful gift in our climate.

Bring your best remedy with you. You can't bring sprays on flights I remember taking Avon "Skin so Soft" to Canada on someone's recommendation. Wear light cotton long sleeved clothing to give the sand flies less skin. Try to go inside before dusk. It all helps.

I have just gotten NZ cash for a pending cruise from Auckland on Friday. I asked for the currency in $20 bills because it is more convenient to use. The notes are so beautiful, I feel they should come with a description. I recognise the Queen because she was our beloved Queen also. I think I recognise the beehive Parliament. But the birds and yellow flowers no. Just think how much work was done developing that beautiful note, with its special clear hole for security. And people say paper money is going to be replaced. My bills are in my purse just waiting to be spent! I'll not make the mistake of getting $100 bills, like I did for USA once. Every shopkeeper held the bill up to the light and looked at the $100 suspiciously like I must have been a bank robber. Dirty $1 bills they don't give a glance, but a new crisp $100 bill you must be up to no good.

Oh dear my prized blue Princess Cruises "escape completely" bag just disintegrated in my hands. Was my bag meant to last longer than me? Do they still give bags to passengers? I'm going on Virgin Voyages on Friday. Does Virgin Voyages give bags? The last time I got such a shock was when the soles of my almost new English "hotter concept" shoes, started to fall to pieces in my hands. I have four other pairs still living which this hasn't happened to. Note to self write to company for replacement pair of their "made in England" shoes. Does anyone know why this happens?

Qantas is Qantas in name only now, unfortunately. It is no longer the National Carrier. We don't have one. It is sad to watch the demise of Qantas. I'd start with "happy staff"! Some of my happiest flight memories are with Qantas overseas. Its staff were its greatest asset. I still smile when I think of the steward who gave us a Cook'w tour in the dark on flight from NY to LAX en route long haul to Australia. Boarding had been bedlam with luggage banking up everywhere at check in, so exhausted passengers.

Maybe I forgot to mention that I live in a fisherman's fibre shack, one of the few left in Anglers Paradise. But a few are still there, treasured by their owners. The positive is like living in a tent with a cool sea breeze, but the negatives are the mossies, flies, sand flies. My soil is sand. Usually after a period of torrential rain and local flooding, the Council sprays. At present the Council has bigger issues like people still without power and water (Mt Tamborine). Our local library and tavern lost power, so my next problem is how to return a pile of library books and a glass I "borrowed" from the tavern. I have been assured my latest library request will remain on shelf awaiting collection until I return to my local library. Trees are still down everywhere, but in neater cut up piles. Workmen are working on the traffic lights all around us. My neighbour's fence is looking like falling down in the next storm. (He built up his land, under Council regulations, to build a house without steps. It now shows on flood maps as flood free.) My lasting memory of the Christmas storm is a heavy tree branch which went through the top of my tall paling fence, delicately splitting the palings in three places. Only Mother Nature could do that!

Previously we have done a private yacht tour of Auckland Harbour and it was a highlight. We just sat back and enjoyed.

Half day tour to the Western Wineries with a visit to the Gannets is a perfect fit for our final day in Auckland - thank you. I haven't previously travelled to the west of Auckland.

Sob - Fly has committed suicide in my fresh cup of tea. I'll have to find those little crocheted things with beads to put on my cups as well as glasses.

You'll be able to see my ship "Resilient Lady" on Saturday and Sunday overnight 13/14.1.24. Do many ships stop overnight?

Just watched a fly crawl down a glass to check out his dead friends, then crawl out and fly away. Admired his skill. Just killed fruit flies by covering my prize apricots with water, which are an expensive luxury in Queensland. Safe now in fridge

The Gold Coast is currently inundated with flies and mosquitos, after all the rain and local flooding. Mosquitos - This morning, I had to put Bushman repellent on in my own house. Flies - Flies keep committing suicide in my fresh orange juice. I must remember to cover my juice! Fruit Flies - Attracted by fresh tropical fruit. Eat before fruit gets too ripe or put in refrigerator. Midges - I keep away from gardening at dusk to avoid being eaten by midges. Does anyone remember those glass "things", where the flies can get in, but not get out?. I thought they were revolting, sitting on the kitchen table, but I'd love one now. Also those "sticky tape things" which hung from the ceiling?. Also those fly spray "things"? Anything to let flies know they are not welcome here. I live in an house like a tent. Heaven forbid, I fall asleep with my mouth open to discover a dead fly in my mouth (as happened sleeping outside on a verandah on a Queenslander in the bush.) Be prepared visitors to the Gold Coast. .

When I visited Vancouver, Canada, I envied locals their variety of visiting cruise ships.

Forgot to mention, I also know someone who got hit from behind by a person out of control in Central Park. She spent many months recovering from her injuries. I don't know what authorities were thinking allowing Segway tours in tourist areas. Although I imagine tours would be more regulated than individual rentals. I have enough trouble hearing the bell on bikes on shared pathways. My daughter warns me long before I see the possible danger.

It must be wonderful to live in a place from which ships come and go. When we stayed at Parnell, I

What is the itinerary?

I know someone who fell off her bike on the first day of a on a boat cruise in Europe, who broke her leg and caused her whole party to cancel. I guess you were lucky and I'm risk adverse.

I think Segway tours are a tourist hazard and dangerous for the elderly like me.

I hope you are joking.

Thanks for such a wonderful recommendation as Ki Maha Restaurant. Ive been trying to book and it says my email address is invalid. Says I must accept terms and conditions which I had already done. Asked in Notes how to get there from the ferry. Would we need to hire a car on the island? Our previous meal highlight was a cold call at Huka Lodge.

Wednesday, 10/1 - 16-25 Sunny 1% rain, Weather looks great.

Sorry keyboard jams when I type too fast. Does anyone know how many passengers are booked on Resilient Lady from Auckland departing 12/1? Just a few on roll call. Where is everyone? Decided to take a few of my new books with me.

Yes I am a museum person I love the Auckland War Memorial Museum. That will be my go to place, if the weather is miserable. Getting close enough to check out the weather forecast. I don't tend to visit Maritime Museums but I'm sure I would enjoy it. That will be my go to place if the weather is miserable. I have stayed at Devonport and agree the view of Auckland skyline was impressive. Does anyone have access to how many passengers will be on Reiselient L