So what I thought would take the first week of my NZ trip ended up taking all three weeks. The drive West was predictably uneventful, with nice weather en-route.
The Taranaki farmlands and Mount Egmont welcomed me back. No rest on arrival though, I rush to the local aero club to get some documents endorsed by the local CFI, before my application can finally be despatched.
Such a shame I can’t take the folks for a spin before departure, that will have to wait till next summer. I suspect my father is secretly relieved!
Sunday’s departure is aborted, high winds at New Plymouth halt the domestic connection, meaning I am grounded for another day. Monday after some flight reorganisation I finally escape to Auckland for a back-to-back flight to take me home to Switzerland. I leave my license application form in my parents’ capable hands!