Business Class passengers escorted to the head of the queue for boarding - very privileged. The 14 hour flight to Dubai outran the sun as far as Dubai so dark all the way. Got 5 hours sleep and managed to watch the new Star Wars and the last Hunger Games films.
Dubai airport awful. Changing planes means another pass through an overloaded security system. Lounge vast but crowded - even queue for gents - but plane boarding starts early so no queues. Total daylight trip to Manchester so gave up on sleep and watched Bridge of Spies.
Lovely early arrival, case in first 20 off, the do it yourself immigration queues longer than those with a human because machines designed by the same people who design supermarket self service tills.
Home by 13:30 (00:30 Aus) and sunny and warm (for Yorkshire) with hedges just getting that green mist of early leaves.
Australia has politicians even more awkward and slippery than UK ones so that aspect a nightmare. But standard of living good, lots of outdoor life, cafe culture in even the smallest town. Risk of fire or crashing due to animals a worry. People - wonderful.
But would I go back? Can't wait.
Here endeth the lesson - a collecting plate will be circulated amongst readers.
Thursday, 17 March 2016
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
bon voyage
Last day here and quite emotional. Gentle walk around the town to see the architectural styles over the decades and the rebuilt historic buildings.
Lunch in town then a tour of the town area - the bush is so close - and a simple afternoon with drinks outside under the roof underhang.
Car arrived on time and farewells tearful - well I was. Lots of hugs that must last.
I came to Australia mainly to meet relatives. What I found was that I met people who by chance were related but were instant friends, people I must see again.
I've seen Victoria both in its beauty and its brutal side. Some trees we passed today 2 years ago had been burnt by the bushfire. Now they have blackened trunks but their tops are green and new trees sprouting from the ground. I've seen beaches that look as if they are from a fim of South Pacific, clean almst emty beaches with deep blue sea lapping. I've seen animals that are so strange and people who are so open hearted and generous - including complete strangers.
Who wouldn't want to return here?
Just finished a simple meal top up, champagne at my side, in the Emirates Lounge having negotiated the security and brders systems - you find at the last minute you have to fill a form in before you go even though they hotograph your face and your passport. A quick trip to the vast Duty Free for Chanel no 5 - well a b has to smell nice - then the long, long walk to the lounge, so long I feel I have saved the airline a fair few litres in fuel by meeting them halfway.
Flight leaves 22:25 (11:25 GMT Wednesday) and arrives 05:30 Dubai (12:30Aus, 01:30 GMT).
Tehn another flight at 07:20 (03:16 GMT, 14:16 Aus) with arrival Manchester 11:20 GMT (22:20 Aus) and hopefully home by 15:00 GMT (02:00 Friday Aus)
Oh Joy.
Lunch in town then a tour of the town area - the bush is so close - and a simple afternoon with drinks outside under the roof underhang.
Car arrived on time and farewells tearful - well I was. Lots of hugs that must last.
I came to Australia mainly to meet relatives. What I found was that I met people who by chance were related but were instant friends, people I must see again.
I've seen Victoria both in its beauty and its brutal side. Some trees we passed today 2 years ago had been burnt by the bushfire. Now they have blackened trunks but their tops are green and new trees sprouting from the ground. I've seen beaches that look as if they are from a fim of South Pacific, clean almst emty beaches with deep blue sea lapping. I've seen animals that are so strange and people who are so open hearted and generous - including complete strangers.
Who wouldn't want to return here?
Just finished a simple meal top up, champagne at my side, in the Emirates Lounge having negotiated the security and brders systems - you find at the last minute you have to fill a form in before you go even though they hotograph your face and your passport. A quick trip to the vast Duty Free for Chanel no 5 - well a b has to smell nice - then the long, long walk to the lounge, so long I feel I have saved the airline a fair few litres in fuel by meeting them halfway.
Flight leaves 22:25 (11:25 GMT Wednesday) and arrives 05:30 Dubai (12:30Aus, 01:30 GMT).
Tehn another flight at 07:20 (03:16 GMT, 14:16 Aus) with arrival Manchester 11:20 GMT (22:20 Aus) and hopefully home by 15:00 GMT (02:00 Friday Aus)
Oh Joy.
Monday, 14 March 2016
Irons with feet
I have to share with you my ironing experience. My linen shirt I'll need for the flight (sleeves for UK weather) needed ironing as it was almost as wrinkly as me. I borrowed the iron. I am used to standing an iron on its end when not in use but not here. the iron has feet. Lift up the iron and the feet retract, and stay retracted until you again put it flat on the board when there is a schizzz noise and three feet emerge and hold it off the board surface to prevent burning. If you leave it on the clothing part way it won't burn as the feet will cunningly decide you are a morn and emerge prevent all those iron shaped burn marks on your clothes.
Simple but brilliant.
Simple but brilliant.
Choo choo
Today, after waking late from exhaustion of yesterday's zoo with 2 year old whirlwind, was a slow start and then a trip to Seymour Heritage Railway Centre. Not what we were expecting. The yard was full of locos, 1 steam, the rest (around 17) diesel in various stages of restoration. Rail gauge is Irish 5ft 6inches. 1 engine is the same as BR shunter. This is the first main line diesel loco type.
The guide who had worked his way to Operations Director of Victoria Railways showed us through several carriages that were reserved for royalty, heads of state and senior Australian politicians. So I have seen the Queen's bedroom (1953 tour) and the seat that held Lady Di's bottom. The carriages vary in condition and are of differing ages but are wonderfully equipped.
I cannot show you a photo of Lady Di's seat as it might raise male blood pressure.
Simple lunch in Seymour. Gentle drive around a very arid landscape though trees still green. Gum trees tap roots go as depp as the tree is high so they can tap in to underground sources. We looked at one lot of 10 acres with a pond (called a dam) almost empty as the creek that serves it is bone dry where a house could be built with a fabulous North facing (=South in UK) view over to hills. So quiet, just parrots and magpies but other visitors had to include a kangaroo or two as their droppings were evident. This plot owned by another cousin who is uncertain whether to buid so the plot is an escape from suburban Melbourne for him and his family and a trip to the wild for the grandchildren.
Car to airport put back to 7.25pm tomorrow - odd that the distance is around half that from Manchester to home which has been free but the Australians want a $22 surcharge. Oh well.
I cannot show you a photo of Lady Di's seat as it might raise male blood pressure.
Simple lunch in Seymour. Gentle drive around a very arid landscape though trees still green. Gum trees tap roots go as depp as the tree is high so they can tap in to underground sources. We looked at one lot of 10 acres with a pond (called a dam) almost empty as the creek that serves it is bone dry where a house could be built with a fabulous North facing (=South in UK) view over to hills. So quiet, just parrots and magpies but other visitors had to include a kangaroo or two as their droppings were evident. This plot owned by another cousin who is uncertain whether to buid so the plot is an escape from suburban Melbourne for him and his family and a trip to the wild for the grandchildren.
Car to airport put back to 7.25pm tomorrow - odd that the distance is around half that from Manchester to home which has been free but the Australians want a $22 surcharge. Oh well.
More mountain confusion and Wombats
Seems there is a peak the range I saw called Blue Mountain so I wasn't all wrong. Am researching whether there are a Green Mountain or Brown Mountain.
Today, a Bank Holiday, was to visit one of Melbourne Zoo's three sites - this one at Healsville was started as a refuge for injured wildlife but is now a large zoo. With us was litte Zoe, a 2 year old with attitude with whom no minute is boring. The flying display was not just of birds of prey but parrots as well, all trained to fly low over the audience. I saw all the main animals of this country - Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Tasmanian Devil, Dingo. But didn't see an Echidna, spiny anteater. But we saw on the drive back. My favourite, the Wombat
Obiously an ancestor of the Labrador.
Amazing how a tired tot can be reawakened by a visit to a chocolate factory which also makes ice cream. There must have been 500 cars in the car park and they kept coming.
Sadness for me was saying goodbye to Marini, Andrew and Zoe (supertot) as my visit ends. They were instant friends when we remet after a gap of around 9 years and we've met several times this visit. I will truly miss all of them.
Today, a Bank Holiday, was to visit one of Melbourne Zoo's three sites - this one at Healsville was started as a refuge for injured wildlife but is now a large zoo. With us was litte Zoe, a 2 year old with attitude with whom no minute is boring. The flying display was not just of birds of prey but parrots as well, all trained to fly low over the audience. I saw all the main animals of this country - Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Tasmanian Devil, Dingo. But didn't see an Echidna, spiny anteater. But we saw on the drive back. My favourite, the Wombat
Obiously an ancestor of the Labrador.
Amazing how a tired tot can be reawakened by a visit to a chocolate factory which also makes ice cream. There must have been 500 cars in the car park and they kept coming.
Sadness for me was saying goodbye to Marini, Andrew and Zoe (supertot) as my visit ends. They were instant friends when we remet after a gap of around 9 years and we've met several times this visit. I will truly miss all of them.
Sunday, 13 March 2016
I stand corrected
It wasn't the Blue Mountains I saw yesterday. What was said was "that's why the Blue Mountains are called that" so although these were blue, my apologies to the Macedon Range for accusing them of belonging to the Conservative Party.
A family day, 2 2 and a few month year olds and a 14 monther. With their parents of course. Celebration of my cousins birthday - he's a model train fan.
The train was made from marshmallow and sugar, the track chocolate and the ends of the sleepers were blueberries.
Inside
Beat that Chris!
A family day, 2 2 and a few month year olds and a 14 monther. With their parents of course. Celebration of my cousins birthday - he's a model train fan.
Inside
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