Bloody Consolate

So... 6 weeks ago I sent to Wellington my passport and all the malaki that is required to get a working permit for the UK.

So... 22 days before I leave the country the British Consolate sends my passport back - without a VISA. My passport is faulty!

The plastic that covers the photo was pealing back and you could almost tamper with the photo! Fair enough. No customs official would have accepted it. Lesson 1 - always check the condition of your passport before traveling!

BUT SIX WEEKS TO FIGURE THAT OUT! That is ridiculous!

The people at the New Zealand Internal Affairs were really nice people and were more than happy to hold my hand and walk me through every thing. $300 later.

So, my NEW passport is being urgently processed. After that I need to send it back to Wellington and HOPEFULLY (fingers and toes crossed - not to mention a few prayers of desperation) they will issue me a work permit.

I will be in Wellington by the time they are finished - I will let them know that I want to pick it up. I bet that my passport will end up back at home, in Christchurch.

We'll see