Great to see FT getting back a bit of speed alas, I'm off to FT deprivation for the break in NZ so won't be around. Have a great holiday break for those having one and those that aren't don't work too hard. As much as I'd like to bring you all back a bottle of your favourite plonk, bugger it, I've gotta restock for an upcoming trip report. The mood is so important.

Here's a picture card for you all:

I can just see it now, a shorter flight and an impossibly drunk Goldflyer mixing it with the hoi polloi in First

Get those bottles, Goldflyer and put your thinking cap on so as to spin that yarn. We'll be waiting for the well-oiled fingers to churn out another masterpiece!

People are almost lining up to become characters

Imagine the disappointment when out intrepit GoldFlyer boards the, turns left (as has been his custom for so long) and finds that the "changing room" on this aircraft is somewhat more confined than on his last trip! Welcome to the pleaseure of trans-Tasman travel on a 737 . I can just see the look on Purser's face when GoldFlyer asks for his jimmy jamms, and for her to make up his bed.

I'm going away with Mrs QF WP but nowhere near as exotic as Goldflyer (even if NZ is classified as exotic ).

To make sure I could get some decent accomodation (cost-wise) on the Gold Coast, we are going down Sunday and Monday nights (driving back to BNE on Tuesday AM straight to work).

This ruse worked well. Yesterday, I jagged a Garden View Room at Sheraton Mirage for Sunday night using my V03CAT Award from all those stays with SPG late last year (had to use it before 30 April). Then cancelled booking for $249 room at Conrad Jupiters on Sunday and tried Monday night - scored a room for $190 (before 20% Diamond Club discount); so I think this Easter long weekend away for $152 (plus expenses) isn't too bad.

I'll be off the board from Saturday PM - see you all back on the Board on Tuesday night with all your Easter stories.

We're going to have to launch you into the current decade and get you setup with a laptop so you can stay in touch with FT while on a weekend away . This concept of a FT-free vacation is just not going to fly, I'm afraid. I am sure Mrs QF WP will be more than happy for you to spend a few hours after dinner on-line .

I'm weeding and painting the front of the house. Primer on timber for 5 years is pretty good, so I'll just re-prime the bits where the primer has peeled. Looking forward to some intelligent life somewhere on FT.

I find it best when the third world'ers are still asleep. In the European afternoon it is not even loading.

Happy Easter all. I'm looking forward to 3 or 4 days at home without thinking of work. (I'm willing bet they call!)

FT has finally returned to "acceptable" speed PM hrs eastern Oz time. I have not tried other times though.

Going to ASP for the weekend, leaving at 6am tomorrow. Another vacation from FT...

Nooooooooooooooooooooo - not a laptop. The time is nigh at work, so I suppose I'll have to give in to the overwhelming necessity . Gee, I don't even know how to work such a beast, will have to ring you up for tips (NM, where do I plug in to get online to FT, how do I dial-up, etc)

I was allowed that today and tomorrow...she was in bed until 1pm today with second migraine since we met, so I had to do some housework...thus the reason I've got every post since about 6pm tonight on the Board!

Yes, I'm no technology guru, actually not much of a guru at all (stuartm )

Hey, give me a challenge, why don't you? Willyroo's ADSL/Wireless was a walk in the park compared with dragging you into the mobile computing age . But we will get you there .... somehow . At least we know you can use applications like email and a web browser, as well as features like copy and paste, so you are part way down the track already.

I was considering getting some of the gang together at the BNE QP for a lesson and drink over my new beast (haven't got it yet, don't worry, you'll be one of the first to know)!!!

It will be a pleasure to assist a fellow FT-er. I have spent the last week setting up my new lappy, so its all fresh .