Packing Again

 Where are you going now? 

I hear you. Yes. I'm getting on yet another plane on Friday morning, heading to New Zealand for the weekend.

The weekend, you cry!

Yes, I'm going to New Zealand for two days. I have a mason's meeting, in New Zealand. A delegation is going over. We get there Friday afternoon, there is a dinner on the Friday night, a free day on Saturday, a meeting on Saturday evening, another meeting Sunday lunchtime, then I trot off to the airport on Sunday evening to get back to Melbourne around 11 pm (if the cyclone which is threatening to bear down on the North Island doesn't cause too much havoc). Because I have to leave at stupid 'o'clock on Friday morning to catch the plane, and tomorrow night will be spent dropping off Lucifer at Blarney's place - which he will not like, but it's better than having him home alone for three days. 

Documenting what I'm packing makes me feel a lot better about things. It's part of the process. 

Come with me as I pack.

1) Mason's regalia

Being a freemason means you get to wear some funny stuff. Thankfully it's light and lies flat. I'll put the little instruction book in as well. We've been instructed not to take our swords and capes. The former doesn't give a good look in airport scanners, the latter is just asking for trouble as all superheroes will attest. Haven't you watched The Incredibles? NO CAPES!

Status: Packed. 

2) Travel laptop and accouterments

I don't go anywhere without my little travel laptop, charging cables and a spare jack with USB ports - you never know what the hotel will have in the room. Thankfully, New Zealand uses the same plugs as we do. 

Status: Packed

3) Mason's Garb 

 There is a 'uniform' of sorts that needs to be packed. Think hospo. Black trousers, white shirt, black cardigan, white gloves, black sensible shoes. 

Status: Packed

4) Clothes for the weekend

I'll be wearing whatever it is I wear on the plane - with my basic white trainers. I've got some play clothes to run around Auckland in, a couple of changes of underwear, spare socks. I do no possess a rain jacket, but a brolly might go in my hand luggage - but fat lot of good that will be in a cyclone. 

Status: Packed

5) Toiletries and Makeup

Thankfully my toiletries and makeup bags are already packed . I'm only gone for two nights and three days - if I'm missing anything I'll buy it over there. 

Status: Packed.

6) Meds

Can't go without these, but with the exception of the HRT gel, these can go in the hand luggage.

Status: Ready to go. 

All I have to do now is grab a few things for my hand luggage. Things like:

• Passport (which is valid with years to run) 
• My book
• Hairbrush
• Assorted lipsticks
• Fisherman's Friends (a flyers best made - keeps your ears clear)
• Power pack
• Phone
• Travel wallet with stripped down cards. 

And yes, already organised are things like:

• ESIM for New Zealand
• Travel insurance
• Tickets
• Accommodation
• Uber app

See - all organised. 

Thanks for listening. 

Today's song: