h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can't find the NZ trip you mentioned - only 3 come up 19, 13 & 15 days long respectively and as I recall you were looking at a 31 day trip. Hope this doesn't mean it has sold out! Do keep me posted.

Jane

Yikes - rushed to check . It's still there but limited availabilty. It's an explore one - code ZSN.

Better finally book it then - there were only 6 people booked on it last week....

I've been trying to work out if I can afford to be away for longer and go to Australia for a couple of weeks (just to Sydney to relive my childhood!) and possibly stop off somewhere on the way home. But the cost of flights (and the mortgage back home) may put me off

Apologies for the smilies - couldn't resist them!

hebe

Oooops looking at wrong company! sorry to have worried you.

Reading the itinery has made me nostaligic - I hiked in the Tongariro NP through the wierd volcanic landscape, a real experience (which involved several pauses to empty boots as I recall) Rotorua is v interesting and you must go in the hot pools.

I didn't go as far south on the south island as this trip does but hada great time on Fox Glacier and in Christchurch. Greymouth in my memory lived up to its name though!

On the North Island I also went north of Auckland which is a lovely area - great beaches, we canoed and went horseback riding up there. From memory it's a fairly historic area.

Found the Moari history very interesting.

Am probably going to get out my trip diary, photos and map now to refresh all my memories!

Jx

Hi Jane,

Trip booked - New Zealand here I come! Am now getting excited (and it's a great distraction from work). I've decided not to go anywhere else - nerves about no job would begin to get to me.

Can't wait (34 working days to go.....)

hebe

Oh how exciting! I'm sure you'll have a great time - it's a wonderful country. Will it all be on the trip or are you adding some days on the end to do your own thing?

Surely no-one can expect you to be as focused at work now you're leaving and have something great lined up to do.

a celebrationary glass or two is called for I think

Jane

when do you finish work? it can't be long now. Bet you're looking forward to the trip - remember to relax and enjoy it and forget about w*rk issues and having to find a new job until you're back in the UK

Jx

when do I finish?

I've just walked in the house 15 mins ago after my last day! Have arranged all my lovely cards on the bookshelf, made a cup of tea, listened to TA and am now dipping in here not quite sure how I feel.

Think it'll be a few days before I really begin to believe I've finished - I somehow kept going flat out till the end and really haven't even begun to switch off.

Just need to sort Christmas out (very disorganised for me, still lots of shopping to do and all my cards to write) and begin to think about getting ready for NZ (and supporting stuff like sorting the car insurance - due a week before I get back etc).

Anyway I'm going to a carol service tomorrow lunchtime and starting off the book club in the Village Hall and seem to have arranged to see lots of people - and I turn 40 on Sunday.....

thanks for asking and hope you're feeling better (I'm trying to convince myself that my husky voice is v attractive rather than rasping)

hebe

yippee!

How exciting it all sounds. Enjoy the next few weeks before you go away; take enough time out for yourself so that you leave 100% fit. Every good wish for Sunday in case I miss you in the meanwhile. I'm only 3 months (and a few days) behind you!



Jane