Starry Welcome...

Guess what. Another day another plane. Should be qualified to fly one of these soon. This time an internal from Auckland down to mums and dads in Nelson. As per usual I seem to always be on planes with learner pilots, so after what felt like 4 or 5 left turns (which must have meant we were going in Circle's) we eventually touched down in Nelson. I was excited, weirdly it felt a little bit like touching down at home. Too be honest I've forgotten what the feeling of "home" really feels like over the last 5 or so years - but something nostalgic in me makes me smile a little and remember what it feels like for a second. Something else which helped that homely feeling was the unwelcome presence of rain.....lots of rain....flooding the runway tarmac...Great.

Step of the plane to cheers and a "Welcome Home" banner from 3 silhouettes on the airport balcony who have braved the elements. Sure enough its Mum, Dad and Jess. "Welcome to Sunny Nelson" shouts Mum....

Jess is unrecognisable, even from just 18 months ago when I last saw her. Smartly dressed and towering over me she gives me a lovely hug and almost crushes one of my vertebrae in the process. I've missed her. Mum's all excited and hugs us both and then just when you try to let go she grabs even harder! And dad is just cool calm and collected as always...but there's a nice smile, we're both trying to be all manly about it but I feel like a little boy again really.

Get a first look at the vehicle will be using for our travels. Dad has been using it for work but its a nice big silver monster. Jess is quick to point out how the seats can be arranged around a table in the back. Mum's even quicker to point out the automatic shades that come down over the windows. Dad, sensible as ever, keen to point out that its a reliable spacious vehicle....I notice he hasn't kept the fluffy pink steering wheel cover I bought him for xmas two years ago.

This morning its lovely. Sun is shining and we can see the sea and the mountains all around us. It's great to be here.