Me-Now-Views; Last Longing Look

As promised from the final post on the OZ Venture on Friday, here are the few remaining shots taken as we flew over the wide brown land to the North and West.

NSW was under a cloud... or 87...

But South Australia was pretty clear.... that's the summer version of Lake Eyre down there...

...and that is the Simpson Desert at its finest...

Roe Creek and billabongs, between Alice Springs and Pine Gap...

Remember that cumulonimbus? After the almighty crack of lightening, came the thunderous downpour.

The carpet of cloud relaid at the the NW side of the island continent. Out over the sea we went...

Menologue; The OZ Venture

Apart from the upcoming Me-Now-Views post which will have some 'tail-end' piccies, this is the last post on the trip to the Great Downunderparts (label is WBL-2015, for those who may be coming in late! ... that's Wide Brown Land... save ya askin')

Yes I certainly enjoyed the flight back to the Bonny Land. First Class was only for the Sydney to Abu Dhabi leg; no such facility on the little plane between AD and Edinburgh. One last little pure surprise though; remember way back I mentioned Mohit, the attendant on the outward from Edinburgh? He dropped by to say hello! He was serving Business class on this trip and was excited as I was the first returning guest he had the chance to meet. Such personable service was there throughout. Maria and CJ were very attentive and nothing was too much to ask for. Not that I did. Ask much. Had plenty of specially made fruit mocktails though! Carrot, orange and ginger; Cucumber and watermelon with some angastura bitters; a 'Dry Mary' (no vodka!). There were yummy nuts - not from a packet - and dolmades and olives and other such nibblies. Watched a movie with Tom Hanks called Bridge Of Spies (brilliant!!!), listened to a little music... but mostly just admired the view and availed myself of the onboard wifi to operate YAMroid. (Some of you got comments from me whilst I was in the air!)

Dinner was a stack of roasted vegetables - off the planet delicious. Truly. My feet were no where near earth. There were yummy artisan rolls to accompany this, and the most tasty olive oil to dip them in.

Later, for 'supper', I had the cheese platter and fresh fruit and a teapot of Chamomile tea.

At AUH airport lounge there was a 90min waitover; I took a shower and changed. Boy did that feel great.  Everything ran to time and was at the father's place by 8am on Christmas Eve Morn.

It was cold and wet. I was ready for it. My luggage was again very nearly the last off the plane - but at least this time the car waiting for me had full battery and a driver who knew what he was about.

I had a quick unpack and 'shooftie' through the cases to get out the things which were being added to pressies; wrapping paper had been lined up under the bed before I left!!! Mac2 and Mac3 came, and together with the father at his house in the morning, we opened our parcels. ...that's Emm's Christmas and Love cakes laid out in the foreground - survived the packing!

Then we headed off. Christmas lunch and arvo were spent at Mac1's house. Her hubby is always the chef on this holiday and I always get a fabulous vegie dish made separate from the turkey and trims. We were conscious that The Maestro was not at all up to the festivities - but at that point there was no indication of how much her body systems were failing. Two days later she was in ICU. Not yet having word of this, Macs 2 and 3 and the father accompanied me over to Dunoon on the Monday as I needed help with all the BIG luggage plus all the stuff from Christmas and some other stuff which had been left from last visit to Edinburgh..... and to make sure that the flat was still standing, given there had been some horrific stormings in my absence. In fact, it was pretty stormy going across the water that day itself. (The bright spot on the next photo is NOT the sun, but my side lamp.)

We went out for lunch at the hotel so the guys could eat meat; it was a good plan, as it gave time for the flat to warm up (had put the heating on) and we got top views of the ferries fighting the fierceness. The food was pretty yummy too. When we got back, on went the kettle and out came the shortbread!

Thus, The OZ Venture became a memory.

Menologue; The OZ Venture

Now there was one last little surprise awaiting me from Etihad. Just before I was going to do my online checkin, I got an email. I had been upgraded. To First Class..... Crikey. I already was more than happy with Business; this was another level altogether! First I had to say my goodbyes to Remus and Emm (had seen the boys off to their work earlier). The chauffeur car arrived on time, so there was not time to get all maudlin and teary. Hugs. Lickies. Kissies... another big hug.

Then I was at the airport. A wonderful young man handled all that BIG luggage for me and saw me to the checkin desk. There were only two other First passengers. Then an escort was provided to see me to the lounge. Only an hour to wait there before boarding.

I was welcomed aboard by 'my attendant', Maria (Russian), then by CJ the chef (Filipino), who wished to ensure my food preferences were satisfied. Private cabin. Oh yeah.

Jess and Eric were well-impressed. Jess? Oh, just a Border Collie stuffie who latched onto me at Maroochydore airport somewhere... She liked the 'comfort pack'... that bag is a traditional pattern from desert tribes in Abu Dhabi. It said so on the card inside.

To add to the comfort and joy of the flight, almost the entire time we were over Australia, the ground could be identified... for all the times I have made that journey, I don't recall it ever being so clear!

First we had to say goodbye to Sydney and then to the coast of NSW.

Then it was up into the clouds, of which there were plenty. But not so many that one couldn't make out the route.

First outback NSW, then diagonally up country (North and West).

The shot below, through the break in the cloud, shows the West curve of the Warragamba Dam...and the Wild Dog Mountain range.

Then we were over the Wilcannia and White Cliffs area, heading into Northern part of South Australia. After which we were over the Simpson desert...

...which from the angle above doesn't show at its very best. The pure red of it was captured in another shot... which of course is being held for the Tuesday Me-Now-Views post! After this we moved over the McDonnel Ranges just South of Alice Springs... Uluru is somewhere top right and under those clouds!

A most glorious open view of Lake Bennett was afforded us... it is in the desert WNW of the Alice, half way to the West Australian border. I relate all this because I just know you all are racing to the map thingo...

As we moved over that desert expanse and drew ever closer to the Western coast, the clouds again gathered. This cumulonimbus formation was most striking.

Almost literally, for there was a great fork of lightening within it as we passed! Didn't get that in the lens - but did get another fabulous frame... (for Tuesday...)

As we went over the coast and finally departed the borders of Australia, Jess and I looked out the window at what might have been a land of snow; or a carpet of cotton and wool...

...and watched the sun set as we chased it round the globe...

I know you are wondering about the rest of the 1st class thing. Tomorrow.

Menologue; The OZ Venture

"Hey Jess, I hope YAMum finds room to bring you with me!"

Back to Sydney and I had six days left of the seven week trip. Some of that time was taken up with the banking stuff (living overseas makes things a tad complicated), and a few more meet-ups with folk; including organising an afternoon gathering on my own, Emm letting me take over her kitchen for the day.

"Why do parties have to mean use of the vacula???"

Other than that, it was pack and repack as I tried to keep to the existing suitcase.

Have always been a travel light sorta gal. This was not going to be one of those times though. No need to worry about weight - business class tickets are good that way; but it was just a pride thing.

However, a new case was purchased. No avoiding it.

In between times, (and in between raindrops - oh yes, the sunshine got left at Noosa), Emm and I had fun trying to photograph birds in her backyard. The Little Wattle Bird couple had a nest right over the fence! We could hear the babies, but never got to see them... one big rain storm took its toll...

The other bird of interest was the elusive Eastern Whip Bird. These little fellas make one great, big, whip-crack call (male) and whistle (female). They are quite small though, about the size of UK Robin, or the Red Cardinal for US comparison. They also like to sit high and deep in foliage - so even if spotted, the modern cameras with auto-focus struggle to get clear shots. This is what the Fudge managed though...

Patience pays! Quite literally on the last afternoon, in a heavy shower and water getting into Fudge's works, I shot the little flutterer!!! That last evening, Remus got the sulks with me...

Me-Now-Views; The OZ Venture

The couple of hours with Charlie at his beach meant the Fudge had lots to work on... yesterday you saw some of the piccies - today some more; plus three from later in the morning - jus' 'cause...

...did you remember to breath deeply..?

Menologue; The OZ Venture

Six of a morning and I was waiting at the door... look there they are!!!

Can you see Charlie??? His mum, Lynn, came over and gave me a lovely hug and then I had to get a close up...... yes it was really him, my good mate Charlie!!!

Off we set towards Charlie's beach. It is not the Main Beach where I had been with Meena, but a bit further out of town. It is EVERYTHING that Charlie claims it is on his bloggy. Long, wide, and outstandingly beautiful. Get this too..... the sun was shining!!!!!!!!

As we walked down onto the sand, Charlie started pestering Lynn to throw that ball - she has got one of those wonderful slinger things, which saves the arm a bit.

Out that ball went and out went Charlie after it.

Back came Charlie - and by default, back came the ball.  Then out went that ball again and so did Charlie....

You get the drift... (can you spot the ball in the next piccie?)

I have to say, Charlie's furs are just the right colour for him to disappear into the landscape!

He is such a handsome boy and pretty well- behaved too; but I did see first-paw how he tends to want to just run, run, run and go meet EFURRYONE on the beach!!!

There was a new dog (to them) coming towards us at one point. Charlie likes to hunker down and watch for a bit. Then takes off like like a speeding bullet to go meet 'n' greet!!!

There was just no stopping the bloke from saying g'day to absolutely efurrybuddy!

Charlie didn't furget to keep checking in with his mum - and me, for that matter. All too soon it came to an end.

Before leaving the beach, Charlie gets a shower to remove all the salty and sandy material. Lynn very kindly then drove up to the highest point in the area so that I could survey the whole of Noosa from there. We didn't really want to say goodbye!

All good things must come to an end; but there is promise of trying to meet again, no matter how far into the future. Charlie and Lynn presented me with the most WONDERFUR coffee-table book which features many of the dogs of Noosa (and their peeps) on beach. I had to buy an extra suitcase to get it back to Scotland. (... well that and a few other things folk kept giving me...)

Back at Meena's place, we said our farewells.

Then Meena told me we were going to Christmas party on somebody's wharf that evening... it being millionaire territory I nearly had a fit.

Have you seen what I am wearing? I did not travel with social functions in mind!!!

We spent the morning preparing a snack plate to take to the function and then headed off to the shopping strip - yes the one requiring crocodile wallets. Something I most definitely do not have. However; even these types of shops have to have sales...

I got a very fine cotton print top with sparkles on which could go over my standard white t-shirt and leggings. With a white dupatta (cotton wrap) and an Avon sparkly or two, I managed to look close to the million hundred bucks. If I'd known, I'd've packed a sari. ...sigh...

My delightful and geographically-challenged friend loaded us into the car that evening and plugged in the e-nav thing. Round to the left and one hundred yards further (I kid you not) we parked the car. Half an hour early!!! As expected, it was all air-kisses and arms-length hugs, but having worked 'up high' at various times in life, I felt quite comfortable. I am also someone who doesn't care who anyone "is"; have never played those social games. Which usually means one is not seen as a threat to those who do and things thus go smoothly.  There was lots of finger food and a nice fruit punch and we all sat around being gobbled by mosquitos (who also have no thought for social standing), making polite conversation of the type which will mean little as it doesn't have to be stored till later. The hostess was on tenterhooks because it turned out there was some entertainment expected.... from the water. The "Noosa Orchestra" (amateurs) were to bring carols to the wharf. Eventually we heard them; Silent Night drifting across silent water, creating a stilling and silencing effect.

I hasten to add, these three are not my photographs - one of the other guests took them and emailed to Meena, who in turn emailed to me. I don't therefore have a name to accredit; apologies.

About one dozen carols and popular Christmas songs were played, and myself and one other male guest were in good voice, so there was singing too. All in all, rather a joyous little gathering.

Next morning I had to pack again. Meena dropped me at Maroochydore Airport. Eric would have liked to have stayed a bit longer - or permanently even. Isn't that right Eric?

Too right YAMum. I could get used to sun, sea, sand and surf and the occasional diamond event.

sigh......



















Anyhoo. As per the habit round here, tomorrow will bring all the photos from this part of the trip which didn't make it into this post!