We are on our way...

Well we've made it as far as Auckland without serious mishap.
Packing was a complete nightmare – I’m useless at it anyway and always try to pack the kitchen sink.  Compound that by travelling to a very cold country needing 2 pairs of boots, big coats, lots of warm layers, add the necessity of having to put non fragile camera equipment into your check in bag (tripod etc) and you can imagine the result.
I got a telling off from the man checking bag weights at Wgtn airport but was allowed through. Fortunately there were no problems at Auckland. That is not because we complied with the weight restrictions for carry on baggage; lets face it a couple of cameras and a laptop & you are well over the restriction anyway; but  we managed to slip through while the guard was busy checking some other poor sucker with too many bags. Next stop San Francisco!