We love you, now go away

It was my eldest sister's birthday on Friday - one of those big scary ones, with a zero at the end of it.

As a happily divorced single mother of three, Jane hasn't had much time to herself lately. Now that I think about it, being the older sister to three loud attention-seeking little sisters, she probably hasn't had much time to herself ever! I can't remember the last time she had a decent holiday without having kids to look after - at least 16 years.

Anyway in the lead-up to her big 4-0, her dastardly extended family has been plotting to send her away for a week's holiday "overseas" in Wellington for a while now - stealthily organising time off work for her with her boss, booking flights, swearing her three kids to secrecy - basically ensuring that everyone she knows and loves has lied to her in some way leading up to the day.

In the middle of last week, we thought she'd rumbled the secret mission when she was helping Dad sort out a problem with his email - there were a bunch of emails from the planning stage of the brithday plot sitting in his inbox - but luckily she's not the nosy type.

Even her youngest son was able to keep it secret, which is quite a feat in itself.

So Friday morning we shanghaied her, took her to breakfast at Drexel's (mmm, Drexel's...) and - over her protests that she'd be late to work - gave her a bunch of very odd clue-presents: DVT compression stockings (not really necessary for a short flight, but what the hey), a travel-size bag of toiletries, a book to read on the flight (she's not a magazine-y person), a map, a tourist guide and things-to-do-in Wellington pamphlets, oodles of cash (with strict instructions to spend it on herself, not the kids), a personalised list of 40 things to do in Wellington, and lots of chocolate (which wasn't a clue, she's just a chocoholic by nature) - and confused the heck out of her.

Then we presented her with a card with her e-tickets in it.

She was so shocked and surprised that she actually burst into tears, but happy ones (I hope...).

So (having been helped by my other big sister to plunder my wardrobe for clothes and steal DVDs from my collection, while I was stuck helpless at work - I didn't realise that's what Liz meant when she said she'd help Jane pack! I thought she meant she'd pack her own stuff, not mine). Jane safely touched down in Wellywood airport, to be greeted by my Aunty Pinky and cousin Cathy and various members of their entourage, dressed in silly party hats and waving witty signs, and generally mortifying the poor shy wee thing.

I hope she has fun and finds time to visit the Weta Cave while she's there. Look at some of the cool people who have already been there. (Bring me back an Orc, Jane! Make it a nice one!)

I've already been to visit Weta/Camperdown studios, etc., but it was ages ago, before the Weta Cave existed. I was on official filmy business, back when they were still filming Lord of the Rings - or the final pickup shots, anyway.

It was ridiculously cool getting to have a tour behind the scenes, and it allowed me to get a sneaky pic with this guy, who was just sitting around one of the warehouses:

(Yeah, yeah, spot the cave troll, v funny ...)

Hope you're having a fun time, Jane! Meanwhile, I'm adjusting to having a teenage girl in the house for the week. It's quite fun, since the Overlord keeps her entertained quite well (and she's very handy at volunteering to change nappies), except for the fact that I get the distinct feeling she finds me quite amusing, and not in a "laughing with you" kind of way... 

Oh, and she seems to question her existence if not attached to a digital device by either her thumbs (I've never seen anyone text so fast, without looking at the keys) or her ear cavities (iPod).

Now, if anyone has any other suggestions on what Jane should do while she's relaxing in Wellington for the week (it's been years since she's been there), please feel free to add them below. (Or how to surgically remove a 14-year-old girl's thumbs from her cellphone...)

Follow NZStuffBlogs on Twitter and get fast updates on all Stuff's blogs.