Sunday 28 April 2013

Returning to Scotland

In 14 hours and 24 minutes I shall fly away from here for the eighth time.  Not only does life now seem to go so fast in six-monthly chunks but it seems to go even faster in decades.  I first came to New Zealand in 2005.  I seems like yesterday.  Yet I seem to have lived in New Zealand for ever.  It's a funny old world.  Talking of world Kay asked which way I was going back to Scotland.  I'm going this way:

Naoier to Auckland on an Air New Zealand 50-seat Bombadier Q300
Auckland to Melbourne on an Emirates A380
Melbourne to Dubai on an Emirate A380
Dubai to Glasgow on something with wings and engines
Glasgow to Stornoway on a Dash 7
It's a long way whichever way one looks at it.

20 comments:

  1. Hey, thanks so much for showing this!
    As a travel agent, I often had to work out the best route for a journey, not just the money side of it, but the length of time that it would take.
    I just added it up, it is about 12,689 miles. Wow. Get some rest after your flight is over!
    Then, read "Sailing Alone Around The World" and think of someone doing that all alone in a small boat! :-)

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    1. Thanks for the comment Kay. As for the read I think that would be thanks but no thanks. I can't even begin to imagine what that would be like.

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  2. That is some travelling! I think I'd go nuts, confined for so many hours to such a tiny space like a typical seat on a plane. But you probably take enough precautions against boredom/restless legs etc., and you've done it often enough to know what to expect (although I guess no two trips are ever exactly the same, are they?).
    I know what you mean about it seeming like yesterday when you arrived in NZ, and at the same time feeling as if you've lived there forever. I often get that kind of self-contradicting impression about certain situations and places in my own life.

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    1. I've just got the traveling down to a routine Meike. I have my iPod, Kindle and crosswords and there's always the films, food and, hopefully, some sleep too. The one thing I do avoid nowadays is alcohol when I'm traveling.

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  3. I started counting and came to the conclusion I've been "following" you -blogwise- on half of those regular flights across the earth. Myself I've hardly moved an inch in the same period... But I still share the same feeling about the movement of time. I wish you as smooth a journey as possible - once again!

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    1. Thanks Monica. Now that we play Words With Friends we never seem to be far away anyway.

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    2. Aw, that's sweet. It's true that it doesn't much with internet communication whether you're in New Zealand or in Scotland... Mostly a question of remembering whether to say good night or good morning :)

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    3. forgot the little word "matter" ... "doesn't matter much" that should be, of course...

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  4. Yes, have your water. Stretch and move around. And there's nothing you can do about jet lag. Are there any long lay overs?

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    1. There are no lay-overs Red. I prefer to do it in a oner. I am very fortunate in that I don't suffer from jet lag.

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  5. That is a great visual! I knew it was a LONG trip, but somehow didn't get just how long! And twice a year!

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    1. Yes Lisa. Twice a year. "Beam me up Scottie" has it's appeal I have to admit.

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  6. I wish you safe uneventful flights all the way home.( Speed bonny boat ( plane ) like a bird on the wing )

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  7. Thanks Ali. Good to see you here.

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  8. I am always impressed when I see your trips all mapped out like this...a LONNNG journey for sure, but a necessary one.
    Your mileage points must be a treasure trove for you...smile.
    Safe travels. See you on the other side.

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  9. Have a wonderful time for me!

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  10. WOW!!! It is a while since I visited!! Back to the UK already??

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  11. Thanks Liz (and Virginia and Cat whose comments I read as emails but never acknowledged). It's now over a month since I left and my feet have hardly touched the ground.

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