Sunday 22 May
We were up early to catch the plane. Met up with another Aussie couple who were also on their way home to Sydney, so their plane a tad earlier than ours. The flight over our big brown land showed us just how large this country is. Out of the 7 and half hour flight from K.L. half was over Australia. As Wayne put it to us on our return, now we know why it takes so long for him to travel from Darwin to Townsville!!! Pity we could not see the inland lakes which have filled this year, as plenty of evidence of the channels which no doubt run to the lakes.
Arrived back in Brisbane, and in spite of our wonderful holiday and meeting up with so many lovely friends and relations, it was good to touch down on home soil.
Glenn was there to meet us and take us back to their home - we had a 'wee sherree' to complete the wonderful trip. Many many thanks to all the fabulous people we stayed with ,and those we swapped yarns over tea/drinks etc. - you will be hearing from us shortly, when we have come back down to earth. I start work again on 1st June, and blow me down if the phone is already ringing!
Tuesday, May 24
Saturday, May 21
Saturday 21 May
We have lost a day and arrived in K L at 5.5pm - while we are still in morning mode. Bit of mirth with the locals when they were greeted with 'good morning' at 6pm. The Pan Pacific is a very nice hotel right next to the airport. We arrived in a buggy from the airport like Lord and Lady muck. Short call from Wayne but comms not clear. Early night as we have an early start for Brisbane, where we arrive on Sunday night and get back to the real world.
We have lost a day and arrived in K L at 5.5pm - while we are still in morning mode. Bit of mirth with the locals when they were greeted with 'good morning' at 6pm. The Pan Pacific is a very nice hotel right next to the airport. We arrived in a buggy from the airport like Lord and Lady muck. Short call from Wayne but comms not clear. Early night as we have an early start for Brisbane, where we arrive on Sunday night and get back to the real world.
Friday 20th May
Grey damp day as we pack up to leave Maarten & Jenny, for Heathrow and home via K.L.
The weaqther matches the mood - it has all come to an end and so many happy memories and meeting super rellies and friends along the way. Jenny & Maarten joined us on the bus to the Dublin airport. We booked our luggage in had a bite to eat then proceeded to security. Jen & Maarten left to return home.
From here on things not so good. Going through security to board our Aer Lingus flight had sevral items taken away then as we were boarding my small case deemed to be too wide to fit their set standard. The fact that many many more items being taken on board were heaps bigger -left a sour taste. Rich thinks they picked on a grey haired old lady.!!! The case was taken and put in the hold.
Following all that we had to pay 2 pounds for 350 ml water on the plane! No more Aer Lingus!!
Arrived Heathrow and collected our bags and caught the train to terminal 4. Went through the security scene again and was asked if I had any fluid in bottles - I advised them that Aer Lingus had already taken them - it brought a smile. No problem with the same little case and Air Malaysia although thy had squaked in Brisbane! One would think they should set a standard size for all so the travelling public are aware of uniform regulations.
Not much time to idle before falling onto the Air Malaysia 747 - pretty empty so flight of 12 hours quite pleasant.
Grey damp day as we pack up to leave Maarten & Jenny, for Heathrow and home via K.L.
The weaqther matches the mood - it has all come to an end and so many happy memories and meeting super rellies and friends along the way. Jenny & Maarten joined us on the bus to the Dublin airport. We booked our luggage in had a bite to eat then proceeded to security. Jen & Maarten left to return home.
From here on things not so good. Going through security to board our Aer Lingus flight had sevral items taken away then as we were boarding my small case deemed to be too wide to fit their set standard. The fact that many many more items being taken on board were heaps bigger -left a sour taste. Rich thinks they picked on a grey haired old lady.!!! The case was taken and put in the hold.
Following all that we had to pay 2 pounds for 350 ml water on the plane! No more Aer Lingus!!
Arrived Heathrow and collected our bags and caught the train to terminal 4. Went through the security scene again and was asked if I had any fluid in bottles - I advised them that Aer Lingus had already taken them - it brought a smile. No problem with the same little case and Air Malaysia although thy had squaked in Brisbane! One would think they should set a standard size for all so the travelling public are aware of uniform regulations.
Not much time to idle before falling onto the Air Malaysia 747 - pretty empty so flight of 12 hours quite pleasant.
Thursday 19th May
No blog from our notebook as the USB stick has run out so will use Maartens. Decided to go for a drive into the country. Passed through Clane - huge estate housing - saw the ruins of Clane!!
Would appear to be a horsey area of the country with a really quite impressive stud farm in the immediate vicinity. We saw the canals in Sellins. In Naas a biggish village. Went through Balleymore Eustace and through Wicklow Gap to Holywood. The driver and 'satnav' now confused. Lady in her car behind witnessed this indecision and came alongside and passed on correct directions!!!! Beautiful scenery all the way to Wicklow Mountain National park - through Wicklow Gap where we stopped and contemplated the surrounding hills. On to to monastic city at Glendalough. Tea and scones after negotiating yet again, through the chattering masses.
Carrried on to Rathdrum heading for Vale of Avoca. We arrived at the meeting of the waters which was immortalised by Thomas Moore's poem. This is the confluence of two rivers which must be impressive when the rivers are full.
We had lunch and then decided to head home on the N11 highway via Dublin. Haven't seen her majesty all day!!
No blog from our notebook as the USB stick has run out so will use Maartens. Decided to go for a drive into the country. Passed through Clane - huge estate housing - saw the ruins of Clane!!
Would appear to be a horsey area of the country with a really quite impressive stud farm in the immediate vicinity. We saw the canals in Sellins. In Naas a biggish village. Went through Balleymore Eustace and through Wicklow Gap to Holywood. The driver and 'satnav' now confused. Lady in her car behind witnessed this indecision and came alongside and passed on correct directions!!!! Beautiful scenery all the way to Wicklow Mountain National park - through Wicklow Gap where we stopped and contemplated the surrounding hills. On to to monastic city at Glendalough. Tea and scones after negotiating yet again, through the chattering masses.
Carrried on to Rathdrum heading for Vale of Avoca. We arrived at the meeting of the waters which was immortalised by Thomas Moore's poem. This is the confluence of two rivers which must be impressive when the rivers are full.
We had lunch and then decided to head home on the N11 highway via Dublin. Haven't seen her majesty all day!!
Friday, May 20
Wednesday 18th MayLate start, more chatter and laughs - went on a scenic drive 'around the corner'. Stopped off at a pub for lunch Fureys- lovely. Returned home. Weather pretty cold and windy and spent time in their conservatory. Spoke to Dave and Moira Chalmers in the Cape.
Much chatter and laughter - bed midnight again.
Much chatter and laughter - bed midnight again.
Tuesday 17th May
On our way to Ireland, so far so good and no cancellation due to the Queen ariving in Dublin ariving before us.! We have been people watching at Edinburgh airport/fascinating. Must be a golf event taking place as golfers arriving and climbing onto buses. Flight Aer Lingus only 40 mins. to Dublin and the Queen had been and gone. Cops etc. dispersing. Maarten was there to us and we caught the bus back to Enfield close to where they live and then drove to Longwood and to their lovely home. So good to see them both and Jenny hasn't changed a scrap - talked and laughed until midnight.
On our way to Ireland, so far so good and no cancellation due to the Queen ariving in Dublin ariving before us.! We have been people watching at Edinburgh airport/fascinating. Must be a golf event taking place as golfers arriving and climbing onto buses. Flight Aer Lingus only 40 mins. to Dublin and the Queen had been and gone. Cops etc. dispersing. Maarten was there to us and we caught the bus back to Enfield close to where they live and then drove to Longwood and to their lovely home. So good to see them both and Jenny hasn't changed a scrap - talked and laughed until midnight.
Tuesday, May 17
Tuesday 17th May
Woken up to brighter skies - isn't it always the way just as one is leaving....
The news for the day - had an email from the Biegels last night to say there could be chaos in Dublin due to the Queen visiting, so we will just play things as they happen. They do not know if they will be at the airport, as the Queen arrives just before us!!
This morning we have learned of two bombs overnight - oh dear haven't we endured all this stuff before. However, the event will not stop us from visiting Ireland and these 'thugs' or whatever one wants to call them, are not going to deter us. We have an extremely good signal up on the 7th floor, so thought would drop a message on the blog in case we do not get through tonight. I am also wondering if our UK USB will operate in Ireland, so if there are no comms for the next couple of days - listen in for when we get back to Heathrow, as we have about a 5 hour wait before catching the plane to KL. The trip fast approaching the end....... what memories and wonderful people we have met in the last 6 weeks. Catch you later.
Woken up to brighter skies - isn't it always the way just as one is leaving....
The news for the day - had an email from the Biegels last night to say there could be chaos in Dublin due to the Queen visiting, so we will just play things as they happen. They do not know if they will be at the airport, as the Queen arrives just before us!!
This morning we have learned of two bombs overnight - oh dear haven't we endured all this stuff before. However, the event will not stop us from visiting Ireland and these 'thugs' or whatever one wants to call them, are not going to deter us. We have an extremely good signal up on the 7th floor, so thought would drop a message on the blog in case we do not get through tonight. I am also wondering if our UK USB will operate in Ireland, so if there are no comms for the next couple of days - listen in for when we get back to Heathrow, as we have about a 5 hour wait before catching the plane to KL. The trip fast approaching the end....... what memories and wonderful people we have met in the last 6 weeks. Catch you later.
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