		Meyricke Serjeantson
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October 28
Wellington to Sydney

I must be getting old. I staggered down the steps on a warm but murky morning feeling the weight of my bag becoming heavier and heavier. By the time I reached the station platform, I was convinced that I must have over packed and that it must weigh at least 20 kg.

Right: Dull & murky in Paremata

The train arrived dead on time and the airport bus arrived after the signposted wait of nine minutes to whisk me out to the airport. There, after a five minute wait, I checked in my 13.9 kg bag - so light! - bought a book and headed to the departure tax desk. There was a huge queue so I groaned inwardly and started to formulate a letter of complaint to the Mayor. At that stage, a young man appeared, armed with an ice cream container full of change and a roll of departure tax stickers draped around his neck. Having a sufficient amount of cash, I was able to avail myself of his services, thus avoiding the queue.

I passed through Immigration in no time at all and quickly made my way to the Koru Lounge. This lacks the view of its domestic equivalent but was comfortable enough. I risked the Thai pumpkin soup - pleasant but not exciting - had some sandwiches and also some very presentable Sherwood Riesling.


Tasteful pumpkin soup ...	… and sandwiches

Outside the lounge, I bumped into one of the Camera Club members, heading to Melbourne, so chatted with her and her husband until our respective planes were ready to depart.

My plane took off five minutes late and arrived 15 minutes early. It wasn’t particularly comfortable but there were no bumps and it was completely uneventful.

At Sydney, everything worked amazingly well. The longest wait was the ten minutes for my bag and I was on the train within 30 minutes of landing and in the hotel within one hour. The hotel was expecting me and I was in my room a few minutes later.

The Sydney Travelodge is large, basic and clean. It appears to be equipped with everything that a normal mortal could require. The bathroom was huge, obviously intended for a disabled person.

Left: View from the Sydney Travelodge

Downstairs again, I met Cory and Ana, who escorted me a couple of blocks to a small dark bar in Surry Hills. It was obviously a young persons haunt and I was the oldest person there by a good 20 years - Cory was probably the next in line! The beer was cold and the food surprisingly good so we spent a happy evening before I crawled home to bed.
	Surry Hills chic

Cory and Ana	Surprisingly good food

October 29

Meyricke Serjeantson

October 28 Wellington to Sydney

I must be getting old. I staggered down the steps on a warm but murky morning feeling the weight of my bag becoming heavier and heavier. By the time I reached the station platform, I was convinced that I must have over packed and that it must weigh at least 20 kg.

Right: Dull & murky in Paremata

I passed through Immigration in no time at all and quickly made my way to the Koru Lounge. This lacks the view of its domestic equivalent but was comfortable enough. I risked the Thai pumpkin soup - pleasant but not exciting - had some sandwiches and also some very presentable Sherwood Riesling.

Tasteful pumpkin soup ...

… and sandwiches

Outside the lounge, I bumped into one of the Camera Club members, heading to Melbourne, so chatted with her and her husband until our respective planes were ready to depart.

Left: View from the Sydney Travelodge

Surry Hills chic

Cory and Ana

Surprisingly good food

October 28
Wellington to Sydney