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I think I Jonahed my flight yesterday when I used the word 'hopefully' in relation to it leaving on time. We boarded on time, but were delayed 95 minutes on the tarmac while engineers found and fixed a 'computer problem in the toilet system'. I suspect, from the flickering of the cabin lights during this process, that  this was about the lights that indicate whether the toilet is occupied or not. I was just relieved that it WAS fixed and we left. Having, like many other passengers, changed into my Qantas pyjamas, I did not fancy either queuing to change out of them again, or finding myself in Heathrow Terminal 3 in my PJs.

We did, however, take off. I managed about 5 hours sleep on the 13 hour journey and arrived in Singapore 90 minutes late but with comfortable time to make my connection to Melbourne. Singapore would have to be one of the best organised and efficient airports in the world.

I managed another 2 1/2 hours sleep before breakfast on the 6 1/2 hour flight to Melbourne and arrived pretty much on time at 5.35am. I was confused whether to follow the ePassport line after scanning my passport or the Express line privileged by my Qantas ticket. I made the wrong choice and went with Express. Friendly official told me I’d have saved 5-10 minutes the other way. It didn’t much matter as my luggage arrived at the carousel as I did.

There’s been some changes to the transition area since I was last there and the signs weren’t clear, but I made it to the Qantas club after waiting several minutes for security to find a woman to scan my knee replacement. I said I didn't care who did it, but that is, apparently, against the rules and terrified the security men.

I had my second breakfast waiting for my connection - pretty much the same as my first breakfast.

I then had a third breakfast on the plane.







There was a bit of cloud cover over Victoria - and hot, dry conditions.














We approached Adelaide from the West - a more promising view of the countryside than the view on the ground.




I guess that’s to be expected when it is 32C in the second month of Autumn.

Not sure how the luggage of the 2 Geelong Grammar AFL teams on board came off considerably ahead of everyone else! Perhaps Qantas had to add a roof-rack!

Jennifer was there to meet me - so pleased to see her and hear some of her news.

So, back at the apartment...

SA Water is digging up the road outside to lay new pipes - will take until May, it seems.









My plants have survived - even thrived (they like being left in containers of water!).

I’m expecting the kids after school and had made and frozen some Bolognese sauce for that purpose but Katherine has thoughtfully left some milk and a cottage pie in the fridge - so the Bolognese sauce can keep for another day.

I had a shower (made a bit of an odd noise and seemed harder -perhaps doesn’t like being unused for a few weeks), unpacked , did the washing and hung it out. It dried in an hour - even the Qantas pyjamas.

There’s a pile of mail, a ceramic repair to attend to from an accident while visitors were here, the clocks need changing, I’ve booked a pilates session and made a physio appointment to work on my sciatica- and my embroidery projects need sorting.

This is where I got to with the Zenbroidery.

I need to make time to tackle the harp!

The holiday is over - but the benefits will linger long. Thanks for the support, friendship - and for following my trip.

Oh - and I need to pay my deposit for next year!

On my way again

Here I was at Adelaide Airport, waiting for a flight to Melbourne, where I board my plane to London via Dubai. I could fly direct from Adelaide to Dubai, but choose not to. The transition in Dubai is much easier on a continuing plane, so I choose to travel on a single flight number from Melbourne.

My luggage this time, includes the same book-through bag I used last time (technically small enough to carry onboard but well out of my way in the hold), the carry-on bag I bought on the way home from London last year because the one I was using was heavy and without wheels - hard on the long walks in international terminals, and my faithful travel handbag made by Louis Cardini in Sydney. It has served me know for close on two decades.

The carry-on sits nicely on top of the other suitcase so I can manage it on trains.Now I have shed my main suitcase I can move around airports easily with my laptop, iPad, Kindle, embroidery - and the outer layer of clothes I will need when I swap Adelaide's 33C day for London's 10C. This is, of course, much better than it would have been a week ago!






Back at my apartment, my wall-plants are all standing in tubs of water. Friends from Sydney are staying for a week to enjoy the Adelaide Festival and will top up the water when they leave.

Frustratingly, SA Water notified residents that they would be repairing a watermain today and our water would be cut off from 9am-3pm. This meant organising and watering the plants yesterday, filling the bath and various receptacles with water, and getting up at 6.45am to wash my bedlinen. When I left home at 2.35pm, the water was still running - I don't believe it was ever cut off!

On the flight to Melbourne I realised I had forgotten to pick up the British Pounds I had carefully ordered and paid for in advance, to be picked up from Travelex at Adelaide Airport. How could I have simply forgotten? Too pleased to have made it to the airport, preoccupied with organising my blog, emails, credit cards and luggage to remember money!  And, of course, enjoying the Qantas licorice allsorts!

In Melbourne, I went straight to a Travelex counter. Lyna made phone calls, sent emails, tapped away and eventually organised for the order to be transferred to her in Melbourne. I fretted around the international checkin area, observing back-packers and families with fractious children. 45 minutes later I had my pounds, braved security (chosen, of course for the explosive substance scan) and immigration, walked past the Designer shops, 4900 steps to the Qantas Club Lounge (three cheers for the wheelie carry-on!) where I am enjoying a Bundaberg Ginger Beer.

I have two embroidery projects to work on between here and London. One is the Estense project I began at the January Embroiderers; Guild Certificate Workshop, taught by Christine Bishop. If this proves too demanding (as it might) I have another Zenbroidery piece as back-up. I have completed my pre-retreat work on Dorothy Wordsworth's postbag. The link is to my embroidery blog post about the bag.

So far the Estense has been soothing.

I'm planning to sleep to Dubai. My next post should be from London - and a bit more interesting!