Interesting to read the contrasting views about NZ. We spent a month there in Spring 2007 and then again in 2009, touring both islands each time on self-organised trips, and we simply loved both the country and the people, so much so that we are hoping to return again early next year. In contrast, an hour each way in the Emirates transit lounge in Sydney was more than enough of Australia for us. As ever with travel, each to their own I guess.
Although it still seems a long way off, we're as usual looking forward to heading back to Plakias and Stella's again in September. On the flights front, Jet2 can no longer be considered a budget airline when it comes to the end price you pay, but being able to fly directly to Heraklion from Leeds Bradford just 20 minutes away is brilliant for us after years of having to trek over the Pennines to Manchester.