Final photo in Oz

Just before I left Sydney Airport. I will explain later.

Text Madness

The texts have been flying. It is such a great way of communicating and letting people know my status and latest flight details. Some of the flights to Dublin have been delayed but mine is still on schedule. Fingers crossed.

367

This is my 367th blog entry since the start of the year. I can relax now as I have passed out 365!

Melbourne/Sydney/Bangkok/Heathrow/Dublin

The flight to Sydney was with Qantas. Food was free which made for a change. They gave us recycling bags for our paper but we still had to give them our cans and cups etc. Did not make sense as the bag was as big as a doughnut bag and the plastic wrapper and serviette were tiny by comparison.. They served marshmallow in the drinking chocolate which is a real Aussie custom. Four hours wait in Sydney. Then the flight was delayed almost an hour. The crew were delayed on another flight-Dejavu last January when the flight crew for my Etihad flight had to rest because they detoured to Shannon. By the time we got to Bangkok we had made up half the time and only had about an hour for turnover, Quick shop in Duty Free and then on our way. Flight arrived at 6.20 in Heathrow. Then 11.20 to Dublin.

I am updating this as I wait but it all looks good.

The Hilton

Thursday 23rd: Breakfast at the Hilton was sumptuous and it was nice being within spitting distance from the airport. I was able to bring my trolley from the airport to the hotel and even into the hotel room. That was a first for me. (see photo). CNN say that Heathrow is open and no snow due in the next few days. Looking good. Checked in at 11.30. Huge queues due to delays and also Christmas rush. Met a chappie from Laois on the check-in. No charge for being 4KGs over. Sometimes it is good to being Irish! Very little sign of Christmas in terms of lights and decorations. Even the TV has only become like home in the last week.

Last Day

Wednesday 22nd: Got up at 6.40 as I still had a few jobs to do. Got them all done in the nick of time. Gave keys to Laura and Alan (neighbour) dropped me off at the station. He came back to say goodbye which was just as well, I had inadvertently taken keys with me. No idea how it happened but Alan took them back for. Met a friend from St Joseph’s Choir and enjoyed her company for the journey to Melbourne. Just my luck, the sun was splitting the rocks. Got off at Footscray and Matt and Cheryl collected me. They do not leave until the 7th Jan and it was great being able to crash at their place for the day. They also cooked a lovely dinner for me and then dropped me to the airport. It was a strange feeling saying goodbye to them but it was great also to have no more decisions to make or jobs to do. Just get on that flight.

Well nearly. Got to the airport at nine for a midnight flight. Terminating still in Hong King. No flight on to Heathrow so they re-route me to Sydney! The next day. Then to Bangkok and on to Heathrow and finally Dublin. The good news is that all going well I will get home Christmas Eve. Only one day lost.

Feeling Final

Tuesday Dec. 21st: could not collect car until 10.30 then out to school until 1.30. Got all I wanted done except packing of papers and books to be posted home. Brought them back to house. Lunch in RSL with Marg. Lovely view of Lady Bay. Posted one box and tube –over $70 , hair cut, clothes to Vinnies. Returned DVD, collected dry cleaning… Met some people that I knew and said goodbye. Getting final now. Then spent the rest of the night until 2.00 am cleaning and washing and a little packing. Also emailed article to CEO. Undated blog.