Parting Shots

6 days 6 hours 44 minutes to go...



So Les finally left today! He was ready to go at about 9:30am and we left home, after twiddling our thumbs all morning, at around 12 o'clock. We stopped on the way at Warehouse stationery so that we could get Les updated wallet photos of the kids... always essential when you are travelling.
I kind of forgot that when it comes down to it Les is what I describe as a meat and three veg/small town sort of guy. So he was a little nervous... not as nervous as he had expected... but then the guy is so anal about stuff he was totally prepared. (With one small exception). After a Sushi lunch (YUM!) we headed to the airport...

You know we haven't had photos taken together since before Will was born... it seemed like a good time.

One of the more incredible facets of this trip for me is how much Les DID NOT pack, for him it was like a small miracle... he takes more in his day pack to the flying field let alone 21 days across the planet!

Hmmmm this bag looks interesting says the man at the checkout. 15.2kg model box plus 14.6kg suitcase and the lady at the counter says "Do you realise your baggage allowance?" (He did, she didn't he got a special deal as he is one of those awesome fellas that serves his country... NZDF has gotta be good for something right?)

Checkout lady has called for back-up.... arms crossed... that can't be a good sign....

Les disappears behind the door. "We're not sure if that will fit in one of our containers"

Phew it fits!

A bit of spare time to ....

Eat some tasty finger!

Goodbye Daddy....

And Les departs for......

You would think the story ends here but no....

I got multiple texts....

• Anton Oliver was in the transit lounge... no autograph for Kieran though.
• He took a photo of the plane... ahhh he's a well trained scrapbookers husband.
• He was amazed at the stuff people wear when they are about to spend hours on the plane.
• He was boarding.
• He was in Brisbane and had just met the "most grumpy security screening cow ever".

Now he's on the plane for the next leg, Brisbane to Singapore and then an hour before he heads to Dubai.

By the way PLEASE don't text him while he is away it will cost US 80 cents for each text he receives... and we really don't want a big bill when he comes home!