No need to worry about over eating, over drinking, over anything this trip.

Christchurch to Auckland plane – first row which was lucky as the plane was late.

Koru Hour which means free wine and beer.

Neither are my jam so I didn’t partake.

Because we had a connecting flight and were 1/2 hour late, once we arrived, we jumped out of our front row seats and ran over to international, which is quite a distance.

Got through customs fairly quickly and were actually able to sit in the Koru for 20 minutes.

MoD had a cheeky little red but it was soda water for me.

No, I wasn’t a total reform. They don’t offer vodka in the Koru anymore. Probably a good thing. And I’m pretty much at the stage of not drinking unless I like it. Which doesn’t cancel out wine, I will try it and if it’s not for me. Well MoD disposes of it. Hic 🍷.

I think based on that alone he needs to remain my MoD.

ANZ did offer vodka when we boarded for Chicago and yes I did have one.

Our lovely flight attendant has clearly taken lessons from the school of MoD with a vodka I could not only taste but had viewed her filling the glass to half. Serious watering down with Diet Coke was required.

With a 14 hour flight at least one medicinal vodka was in order.

As it turned out we had been upgraded to a SkyCouch.

Last time we got upgraded to Premium Economy where you got a little bag of nuts to start, pillows, blankets, your own menus, you were curtained off from the those nasty plebs ( who were not using your toilet thank you very much) and your chairs had foot recliners. Between each chair there were wide heavy metal arm rests which couldn’t be moved. I am sure there were many travellers disappointed that you could no longer lie on the unsuspecting person beside you, only to wake up with your head on thier shoulder, gazing incoherently into thier eyes and drooling on their sunday-for-best travelling clothes.

The sky couch on the other hand is three seats where all the arms move up and out of the way. The foot rests raise up to bed height. You get pillows, blankets, an under blanket/sheet, and a harness to hook to your seat belt in to keep you safe while laying down.

We both got 6 hours of reasonable sleep and in between watched the movies Whale (MoD) and A Man Named Otto (me). Movies we both liked.

Utterly gutted there was no Barbie of course. It better be on when I get back via ANZ.

When we landed we knew it might take some time to get through customs. Even with low expectations we had to lower the lowest from the gutter down to the storm sewer.

Aus and NZ both have amazing electronic E passport entry. I can literally get off the plan in both countries, and get through customs in not more than 20 minutes. Sometimes 10 if don’t have check in. Melbourne can be bit longer at times, dependent on the baggage handlers Smoko schedule. Switch the conveyor belt on mate, hey got a smoke, light her up, drag on that baby, pick up three bags and put them on said conveyor belt. Have a rest, drag on that smoke. Have a chat. Ten minutes later, better throw on another bag or four. Drag on that cancer stick. Oh someone bought muffins? Yum let’s get into it. Better put another bag on . Need a smoke now….

You get the picture. Slowest baggage handlers in the world.

Chicago don’t hold that title. Well they could but by the time we had waited in that ridiculous line it’s nearly two hours to get to our baggage and they all their waiting for us. My heart felt sad for the families with young children who didn’t get priority.

Today Chicago staff shuffled us out of the plane and up some very long passageways where I regretted not putting my fitbit on. In due time we finally reached our destination, a large hall completely full of travellers waiting to be processed, potentially about 1000. We were directed down a few more corridors to the end of the line which was about 500 meters before we even got to the big hall. Lucky I have my latest David Baldacci book on my ipad.

1 hour 30 minutes to get to the front of the line.

Only to be entertained by this very happy guy directing traffic.

His big personally and over the top ways, dare I saw very gay flouncing around, moving people and shaking his fingers at some of his staff, had us all in fits.

A nice relief from the previous staff who were angry and yelling a lot.

The benefit to all of this was that our bags were right there waiting for us as I mentioned. Yes I am repeating myself.

We hopped in a Thrifty car and heading out on the wrong side of the road to Milwaukee for an overnight stay before we head to the wedding destination.

And what’s the first thing I see on the way?

MoD’s personal favourite.

The place where he thrills at being able to buy a double fridge beside a drill kit beside boys singlets and undies, which are beside the cheese, sauce and the milk. Get with the programme MoD, everyone needs and loves Aldi.

Just endorses you are the only one in the world who doesn’t love Aldi.

After that trauma MoD needed a stop at Maccas.

Not because we wanted fast food but it was getting close to 11, bed was calling, and sitting in a restaurant for 45 minutes was not appealing.

MoD wanted a chicken sandwich. Maccas call their burgers sandwiches here which explains a lot when I go to Maccas with MoD and Finn in ChCh.

I keep thinking he wants a toasted chicken sandwich from McCafe which never hits the mark.

Tonight I wanted the Lot. The fatty two patties, the greasy pretend cheese, the teeny bits of bacon. I didn’t care about the calories. I didn’t bring the extra tight frock. I bought the baggy one. I’m laughing 😀

So I went in for it, double bacon cheese burger with chips and Diet Coke. Inhaled.

And off we drove into the centre of Milwaukee.

Aamazing at night, seems like lots to do.

Like check in and go to bed – our room is fabulous.

But not before checking out this little number for our grandson Finn. Parked outside our hotel. I think it was the Bellboys.

We might come back for a few days after the wedding.

Going to try and get up early in the morning and take a wander around before we head up to Green Lake.

The overnight temp will be 22, tomorrow highest temp up to 29.

Perfect. ☀️