Monday 19th January came fair and sunny as all our days in San Francisco have been. John drives us to the airport stopping en route for coffee and bagels. Sad to leave, but we're not leaving yet - we've got hours to wait even for the first, local, flight down to Los Angeles. I don't know how the time goes but it does, and then we're at LAX airport, which is very large, and surprisingly friendly. the Qantas staff say that we can check in at 2pm although the flight's not until 8.30pm. There's a long wait in the queue to do that, but it's worth it as we can get rid of our bags (why hasn't experience told us not to take heavy luggage?) - and we are officially on stand by till we find out whether we're crossing the Pacific or not tonight - and that will be much later in the day.
So it's lunch - Tom Bradley building best for that, say the senior citizens who man the travellers aid desks - what a brilliant idea for ageing volunteers - and then find a post box. Postcards are part of travelling so it's not good to post them in the wrong country. Our ancient advisor suggests we take a walk almost out of the airport to the nearest hotel. This is a great idea as it works and it fills time. Standing by is all about mental state. It is necessary to remain calm and philosophical. Some activity, even walking though the airport environs, helps.
By the time we get back from this walk it's time to get through the security checks and hover around the departure desk. The staff explain that it's a busy flight so they won't be looking at standbys until they've checked everybody else in. OK, so we wander around, trying not to crowd the desk. The flight is called and a huge number of people stand up to queue for boarding. Gradually I notice that there are other people standing by - we all seem to be trying to look nonchalant over by the left hand end of the desk, but not too close as to seem to be hassling the staff. Every now and again a list of names is called- perhaps ten names but only 3 or 4 people go up to the desk. This looks positive to the strange mind of the stander by - it suggests that some of those booked on the flight haven't turned up. Still trying to look nonchalant we edge a little closer and then retreat to just within hearing range.
Then suddenly our names are called. Others too, and there is a surge to the desk and in no time we have our boarding passes, have passed the boarding gate and are standing patiently in the plane, looking for our seats, having politely thanked the Qantas check in staff who have it all to do again tomorrow.
New Zealand
And so to bed - managed to sleep for 5 out of 10 hours. Arrived Auckland before 7am,through the airport without any fuss, bus to the ferry terminal, coffee and croissant, ferry to Waiheke island and then the whole pace of life slows, even though it's not yet 9am.
Not sure I know what happened to the rest of that day. The island is astonishingly like the perfect tropical island paradise, especially in this hot weather with the sea full of boats.
The feeling of not wanting time to go by was balanced by anticipation of the next activity. the greatest afternoon was spent fishing. 16 snappers ended their days as our dinner for a couple of days - well there were 16 but some of them went to the other person on the boat. No point in feeling sorry - it was great fun and the best dinner!
I had a go at sailing in Auckland harbour on one of the Americas Cup boats - with a few others and its professional crew of course. Even with such a strong team we couldn't whistle up the wind, so just a couple of hours drifting around hoping for a wind. We winched a man up the mast to look for the breeze, but even such sophisticated technology didn't bring it on.
Saw old friends Danda and Ulli, and Ulli took me on a journey in the imagination round the South Island - now doing the real thing pretty much on his recommendations.
Saw a tug boat race and then it was time to catch the train to Wellington - more treats in store.
The dog is Georgie. The frame is an exhibit in the sculpture walk on Waiheke Island. Oh yes and Waiheke makes excellent wine - not only that but the tasting is fun - more of that later too.
