4th and 5th June 2023

Woke this morning with a whole new experience for me. Self doubt. Not a condition I've ever had before and yet, for the first time, I was actually wondering what the hell we were doing.

Over the past five years, since our last overseas cycle tour, we have led a comfortable lifestyle, swimming, surfing, walking everyday and probably, far too many coffees for our own good.
There have been a couple of tramping holidays during that time in the South Island and a month long gravel tour on the bikes, also down south, but no major effort required and certainly, no long distance flights with packed airports and bloody custom security checks.

Our day began early and we got two loads of washing done and dried (albeit in the dryer, which we never usually use), and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast after showering.
The morning soon passed and before we knew it, Irena had arrived to take Julia, while Toff took myself and the bike boxes loaded in the Range Rover for our chat and drive to the airport.  Seeing as we're spending the next three months together 24/7, we thought we'd better get some separation while we can!

I have to say the powers that be, have made a great job in creating the new airport terminal.
After checking in the boxes we adjourned to the Cafe for a pathetic coffee....cold, when extra hot was the requested temperature and eggs bene which had hollandaise sauce all over it, when the requirement was, on the side.
The score at present was airport terminal 1, Cafe 0. Chatted to Dad, Irena and Toff, until Dave, San and the kids arrived, followed shortly by Keren and Greg. It was great to have them see us off and I'd like to say a big thank you to Irena and Toff for the pick up and drop off. We'll both miss everyone. You are all a massive part of our everyday lives.

The time had come and soon we were enjoying a very comfortable flight to Auckland.

A walk from Domestic to International where we confirmed that our boxes were going through to Oslo and then upstairs for a drink in the bar.
Had only been there a couple of minutes when Sue turned up to say goodbye. She is one of my dearest friends and someone I don't see often enough, so thank you Sue, it meant an awful lot and was great to catch up.

Soon, we were headed through security and passport control and waiting to board. Our flight was only half full and maybe those people who weren't on board, knew something we didn't.
As the plane taxied to the runway, it sounded like the overhead lockers were going to detach and hit us on the head and the groaning  and moaning from the hydraulics when the wheels were going up, sounded like a knocking shop.
It was an enjoyable three hour flight to Sydney and we had officially begun our adventure. No sooner had we arrived and we were at the departure gate waiting for a fourteen hour flight to Dubai.

Everything seems very surreal today as we sit here on our third plane of the day, awaiting our take-off to Dubai.   It is going to feel very odd when we walk out of Oslo airport into the Norwegian fresh air, but that fresh air will feel very welcome after all this air conditioning. 

We have opted to wear masks for all the flights in an effort to avoid whatever germs are circulating, but we are in the minority.  Maybe 10% of passengers are wearing masks.

This was a good flight with great service, but oh my God, far too long. Julia began with a headache then began to feel sick. Meanwhile, I was eating everything that was put in front of me, including anything that  Julia wasn't managing. I was also up the back of the plane stretching, sometimes up to forty five minutes. Other than those waiting for the loos, there weren't too many exercising. 

By the time we taxied into Dubai, we were feeling pretty wiped and we still had to get to the departure gate which was a decent journey in itself. Couldn't believe the amount of Chinese and Indian people flying into Oslo, including one woman who pushed her way through an entire row of probably fifty people with an arrogance beyond belief.

Julia managed to get some sleep on the final leg, although not brilliant, whilst I stretched and watched a movie.
Arrived to a beautiful Oslo day. The scenery from the plane on our final approach looked gorgeous, so we're looking forward to assembling the bikes and heading into the city, fifty kms away tomorrow.

We are now sitting outside the Park Inn West, in the shade, waiting for check in to open at 3pm.  It's now 2.30pm, a beautiful day and 20 degrees. Boy, it's good to be off those planes and sitting in fresh air!

The Park Inn

As I finish off the last two days Pete is snoring softly beside me and my eyes are threatening to close as well.  

We checked into the Park Inn at 3pm, made a cuppa and then put the bikes together.   It was a cracking day and our ankles were swollen so we decided to take the bikes for a 12km ride in the sunshine.  That was just what the doctor ordered!

Back to the hotel for a shower and then down to the restaurant for a lovely meal of fish n chips for me and burger and chips for Pete. Pete had a Carlsberg as well which is probably why he managed to fall asleep in the middle of asking me a question.  That's usually my job.  Those three things came to just under $100, so we won't be doing that too often.