“said Simple Simon to the Flyman, Please let me go there”

Off on our next Orienteering across the ditch to Oamaru and Queenstown on New Zealand’s south island for their National Championship, the famous three, Debbie Ilze and Me, were waiting in the departure lounge at Melbourne airport for the arrival of the fourth member on this trip, Simon the Simonator. Ian had to stay home for boring work reasons and anyway still recovering from a tough fall onto a gravel path at last Saturdays event.

“He’s cutting it a bit fine” I muttered. Queue eerie music, then my phone rang.

“Hey Pete” said Simon, “I am at the airport but I have left my passport at home and I am trying to get them to let me in”

In a later interview with DROC Media, Simon said that he discovered this fact after leaving his car at the airport parking and getting on the shuttlebus and immediately felt sick. Thoughts of canceled  flights, rebooking, hiring his own rental car flashed through his mind but the driver said he should ask at departure immigration if there was anything that could be done.

It seems that being a dual national, (together with groveling) has some advantages. The airline would let him fly on the basis that the Kiwis would let him in (as a distressed citizen) and the Australians were happy to get rid of him. On the other hand, getting back might be a “wee bit of a” problem but he has ten days to get his passport couriered over. Simples, you might well say, but its Easter and there are only  four business days before we go back.

Still there are worse places to wait. The view from our house overlooking the town and the harbour in Oamaru is breath taking, we will post some photos later.

Simple Simons mother had the last word when being told of the misadventure.

“Don’t try this going to Syria”

No races today, we are off in search of penguins.

Pete.