[willsken]

I spoke with mum today and she is happily planning her first holiday with us later this year. I have a grandmother who is 90yoa and she has now told mum she is planning on coming to! She said if she fly’s business class she will be fine. :uhoh Now as much as I would LOVE her to come I really don't see how she could manage the flight. I have said to mum not to say no and to take her to see her doctor. Let him be the one to decide. How old was the oldest visitor from the UK been that anyone has had?

(Secret worry – she makes the flight here and can’t get home… :D )

[willowshouse]

Oh ...! Bless her for wanting to come .. fantastic!!!

Can't help at all - sorry............ but when you have family members who definitely COULD come and would never bother ( no kids, plenty of money and under 90! ) .. it's lovely to hear about something like her.

You've made me smile :D

Dawn

[willsken]

I do feel very touched. As you say, bless her. :D

[wiki]

My gran last come out to visit her boys (both her sons emigrated to NZ and she could never work out why) at 81 but said she'd never do it again.

She was starting to head a bit down-hill health wise by then but could walk with a stick pretty well. And, by that stage she was spending most of the day sitting in her favourite chair watching TV or dozing, so being on a plane wasn't so different for her :)

She lived for another 12 years, but never did fly out again. She found NZ too hot, anyway - at least, that's what she said about having never come out to live permanently.

[veronica]

My dad had an uncle that moved to america and the last time he came back to the UK was when he was 90. I know its only half the distance. If she feels fit enough then let her, it all comes back to letting her live her life, if she can sit in a chair during the day for 12 hours and her health is up to it then let her choose, would advise having a stop over for a nights sleep though and to go via asia rather than the states.

[Smiler]

She sounds like an amazing lady. :nice1

I'm with Veronica, if that's what she wants to do, why not?

You'll enjoy having her to stay and it may make the reverse homesickness more manageable for you, knowing you've shown her your little bit of NZ. :yes

[Kim39]

Good on the old girl, and if all is good with her in health then as far as my opinion goes she should do it. Just wish my Dad would take a leaf out of here book, as he is 77 and won't even comtemplate making the journey.

Kim

[gil]

What a fantastic woman! (Obviously runs in the femaile line Nic ;))
My dad is planning on coming here next Christmas when he will be 81, via Singapore and taking a few days stopover. Good idea to get her doctor's opinion and if she still wants to do it, then why not!

Gil
x

[willsken]

:o

[Jameelka]

My parents are flying out to NZ from the UK next week.
Dad is 80 and Mum 74 yrs! have requested wheelchair assistance as Dad has a bad knee and can't walk very far. It will be their first visit out here and neither have done such a long trip before, although they are stopping in Singapore both ways to cut the trip.We have warned them they will be tired and sure it will take some time to asjust once they are here, but they are both looking forward to the trip.
Mel
:raebanana

[NannyOgg]

My sisters Ma-in-law is here at the moment. She is 87.

She comes every 3 years non-stop but insists on travelling 1st class.

If your Nan can do it let her xxxx

[Diny]

My mum and dad came out last Christmas for a 2 month stay. Dad was 82 and Mum was 76 ... mere whipper snappers compared to your gran I guess.

Good on her for having the spark to want to do it !!

Diny

[Carol]

I agree!
And if she can get to fly business or even first class - good on her!

I hope I am still flying at 90!

Or even walking!;)
:nice1

[KerryS]

My grandfather is coming over in December for my wedding. He will be 97 by then, and has said that absolutely nothing will keep him from coming over.
He flew to Perth in December 05 for my brother's wedding. My parents paid for him to fly business and accompanied him, and together with a stop over in Dubai he said he really enjoyed the trip.
He is very fit and active, and doesn't have any major health worries, so I'm hoping the trip to Auckland won't cause him any problems.

If your gran wants to come over encourage her!

[gil]

My grandfather is coming over in December for my wedding. He will be 97 by then, and has said that absolutely nothing will keep him from coming over.
He flew to Perth in December 05 for my brother's wedding. My parents paid for him to fly business and accompanied him, and together with a stop over in Dubai he said he really enjoyed the trip.
He is very fit and active, and doesn't have any major health worries, so I'm hoping the trip to Auckland won't cause him any problems.

If your gran wants to come over encourage her!

Wow! Just out of interest, does anyone know of any problems with insurance for the 80+ age group, or is Saga up for anything? :D

Gil

[wanderingoregonian]

My grandma flew from New York to Oregon at 90 - after all her other travels all over the world, she figured she had nothing to lose. She often joked that she'd rather die trying to travel by plane then by walker down the halls of some nursing home. When she was in her 70's she hopped on a grayhound bus to go across the country to see my baby brother. didn't tell anyone until she arrived. My parents phone was off/on again and luckily was on when she arrived asking for a pick up!

Hope your gran gets to come and see your new world

[Diny]

My dad had one hell of a job getting insurance, some of the quotes he got were almost twice as much as the cost of the ticket !!

[nippa&pippa]

Accord to my MIL, best deal for insurance is Nationwide!! offer her very good insurance for her ages and her health problems she got for coming over to NZ in this oct and stay till next year feb

[KerryS]

Insurance is quite costly, I believe my Grandfather used Barclays for his. My parents always use Saga as my Father has had a heart op, which bumps up the cost with many insurance companies, but they are quite good.

[Babette & Andy]

:nice1 Thumbs up to your gran!! Agree with all said above.

My sister in-laws gran visited her in Perth (OZ) a few years ago when she was allmost 90, travelled with her mother & father and also did Singapore stop-overs 1night each way. She was great! Really pleased she did it, she also got doctor's 'clearance' before going. Think the Business Class idea is a great one.

Hope she makes it across, would be great for all of your family to share in your new life experiences :yes

Babette