MMDown Under

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

thanks a lot. not a lover of oysters, but wrong season for whitebait is a disappointment. i will definitely check Ki Maha Restaurant out. we have driven around the island and used public transport but it has been awhile. I think the island is Auckland's secret. I recall enjoying walking around the harbour. As we usually have a car, we head for the beautiful Bay of Islands or the Coromandels

Where would you take your visitor for two days in Auckland. Wednesday evening 10/1, Thursday 11/1, Friday 12/1 prior to cruise departure (final boarding 4pm?). Any live theatre for those dates? Where I take visitors is not where cruise ship excursions usually go. Are roses out at Parnell? Is it still nice to walk around the Harbour and the waterfront. Waiheke Island day tours. Davenport Auckland by ferry Is it the right time of year for whitebate? Best seafood/fish and chip shops? Best Maori cafes? Best Pavlova? Best Kiwi desserts to try. What Kiwi lollies/chips should I buy to take on 11 day cruise (I have crystallised ginger for seasickness), honey and eucalyptus and.eucalyptus drops (all sealed). Can you buy a ticket on Auckland public transport or do you buy an OPAL type card? I will also have an overnight stop at Tauranga. Did I mention I absolutely love the brilliant itinerary of my cruise departing Auckland on 12/1, with two overnight stops at Tauranga and Sydney, NSW, arriving in Melbourne in time for Australian Open and Australia Day.

Thanks I will any recommendations for flavour?

I seem to recall parts of tamborine mountain requires power for water.