Apartment living
As a young girl I lived on a farm in Windsor. From there the family moved to Gulgong where I lived in town. Gulgong is a sleepy little town, our home had a huge back yard and we barely saw our neighbours. Over the years with a marriage then divorce I had moved several times but always to a house with a substantial yard. I thought moving to Kings Langley and living in a semi detached home would be difficult although it was easy with the neighbours being quiet as was the street.
Now married and following my husband I find myself in an apartment in Switzerland. We chose an apartment because the houses here to rent are very, very expensive. We found an attractive modern apartment with a huge balcony that overlooks a busy noisy road. Double glazed windows drown out all outside noise. Three bedrooms, three toilets, two bathrooms, a large lounge living area with a five minute walk to the lake and railway. The shops just a stones throw away. This place looks great, we move in all excited with our first floor find. It was the beginning of winter so the windows were kept shut. From the first night and for most nights after we heard the sound of moving furniture in the upstairs apartment that causes us distress and annoyance. We first thought they were just moving in but now realise they clean or play musical chairs on the hard floor covering, we still don’t know what they do.
No one seems to have well behaved dogs. Dogs also live in the apartments (but not ours). I find it difficult to share a small lift with unruly dogs. The American lady with two small white poodles can’t stop her dogs from barking, boy is she fun to meet in the echoing foyer. You can hear the dogs bark through the night and you have to wonder why you would bring a dog to an apartment. The owners are up first thing to take their canine for a walk. The first little bit of grass outside our building is where they do their morning wee and poo (the dogs of course). They do pick up the poo in a doggy doo bag (the owners) but the wee kills the grass and other dogs stain the walls and steps (by peeing also). I am grateful that our superintendent regularly hoses the forecourt down.
Being on the first level I very rarely take the lift instead taking the 23 stairs where I often pick up lolly wrappers from the children who could not be bothered to wait for a bin. I swear if I ever catch them in the act I will read them the riot act in English. I am sure they will understand the universal language of anger. We often get people wanting us to buzz them into the building as the building’s front door has a security code….. I have difficulty understanding when they speak to me over the mike in French. We also have the children that just play pranks and press the button and run off, they also do it inside the building pressing the front door buzzer so when I open it no one is there. Children will be children.
Our apartment building of 5 levels is surrounded by other large apartment buildings all about seven stories high. I always wondered why our apartment gets so dusty. Every day I have to mop the floor and dust the furniture being surprised at the amount of new dust. A few weeks back I needed to clean the window in one of the spare bedrooms of bird droppings. The birds like to roost above the shutters and do there thing. So here I sat on the window ledge leaning out as far as I could with an extension for my squeegee. While cleaning I noticed a lady in the apartment opposite on one of the higher floors, shake her vacuum cleaning bag out of her window. I hoped this is not the reason our apartment gets so dusty god knows what they do above us.
Our balcony is the largest as we are the first floor, the problem being that some of the above floors have flowers hanging from their balcony rails.
Why does it always rain on me? Looking up I realised it was water from the pots above. All the petals and leaves fall on our balcony as well so I am forever sweeping the balcony and watching above for any unexpected showers. When John and I venture out to the balcony on these long twilight evenings we sit well back near our wall under the protection of the awning to avoid the “heavenly downpours and only have to contend with the traffic noise.
From our balcony we overlook the busy road with a set of traffic lights, as we sit outside we watch the traffic (what else can we do). Traffic is noisy but the big motorbikes and car horns can be extremely loud and often have us retreating back indoors before we have even finished our drink. We always avoid going out on a Saturday as that is when wedding cars go by tooting constantly, a popular practice here in Switzerland.
Our bedrooms are on the other side of the building overlooking the complexes entrance. As it is getting rather hot and we are not allowed air conditioning we sleep with the bedroom window open. We hear the late home comers with their boompity boom music radiating from their cars and wish they would get out of the vehicle much quicker. We hear the occasional ambulance or police car sirens and the rowdy gathering outside the main entrance, who like to chat, smoke and laugh for hours under our window. Often we wake up after a reasonable night with the smell of cigarette smoke in our room.
So now with the possibility of moving back to Australia, John asks me “what sort of place would you like to live in”. One thing for sure…… not a bloody apartment!
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Friday, 15 May 2009
Monday, 11 May 2009
Boys visit
Living in Switzerland has had its moments of difficulty but on the whole it has been great, the worst about Switzerland is that everything is very expensive, and that nearly every second or third person has a dog. Having a dog is fine but they have these leads that extend and often stop you walking the footpaths as a dog on a long lead races in front of you stopping you in your tracks. You have to wait until the owner reals him in or joins his dog. We have doggy doo bags everywhere, a tall post that dispenses yellow bags just the right size for doggy poos, but not many owners use them. I found that if you glare at the owners you can guilt them into doing the right thing, but you have to catch them.
Last week we had Trent and his girlfriend Fiona come from Australia to stay for six days, Kurt came from the UK to catch up with his Brother and I so it was great to have them all here under one roof. It seems it does not matter how old you are it is a brother’s duty to torment and have shots at each other. Trent and Kurt were constantly stirring each other in a friendly way the whole week. It must be a boy thing. Fiona and I were amazed at their commitment to stir and never let any opportunity go by to have a dig at the other. At times some of the remarks were very funny and I could not help but laugh which only encouraged them.
We took them all through the park filled with tulips, Trent and Fiona loved them but Kurt made the comment of “just what I wanted to see a park full of flowers” sarcastic little brat. We all drove to Gruyere a beautiful drive but it was raining, still the scenery was magical and Gruyere castle was well worth viewing, a must for any tourist and we had to go to the chocolate factory on the way home. I did well I could fit all I purchased in one bag, please don’t ask how big the bag was. Fiona and Trent were keen on trying many foods especially the cheeses where as Kurt was more interested in the beers but Trent was happy to join him in the tastings.
John drove us all to Italy to the land of vespers (bikes) we arrived right in peek hour trying to find our pre booked accommodation in Genova. All of us admired John and his skill in driving amongst the swarm of bikes; they darted about like flies……. I had my face buried in my hands thinking any minute I will hear one hit us. We found our hotel with no place to park so we had to be naughty and park in another hotels parking spot, after check in, our hotel had some dodgy looking fellow take our car to a parking area for 20 francs a night. I thought we won’t see our car again but we did.
Genova is a very old port and very pretty however it is smelly along the water front, a rotten fish smell. We all walked the busy paved streets and were grateful it was a Tuesday because the weekend would just be crazy. It seems the Italians like their dogs too. We sat at an outdoor café only to have dogs all around. The dog next to me took a liking to sniffing my shoes. Smoking is allowed as well, I did not realise how advanced Australia is. Still it was a relaxing feeling to be dining outdoors nibbling on snacks, the girls drinking cocktails and the boys trying the Italian beer which got the thumbs up. The boys and Fiona went out to discover if there was any night life and to find a pizza for dinner. John was exhausted from his harrowing drive and I always love an early night so we retired for the evening hearing the hustle bustle of the street below us. We drove back to Switzerland the following day a long trip via France. Some of us in the back (mainly me) were getting grumpy, with three adults in the back seat of an Audi A3, it is not a comfortable ride. The boys took turns in the front but Fiona and myself always in the backseat we could not see a lot. John would often point out a lovely castle or mountain that we were unable to see, pissing me off even more. We did have a lot of stops and saw some pretty little places where we would take the opportunity for a gelato or coffee and a good stretch.
For the rest of the week we concentrated on walking around Morges and I started to realise I won’t have my boys for much longer. It is so funny how you can be here away from family without being sad but as soon as they visit you get all mushy. Then they leave and I was a mess, cried for the whole of the afternoon after waving them off. Now we are settled again and planning our next trip on our own.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Swiss Dentist
Today I got up and readied myself for my train trip into Geneva. As usual I get a little anxious thinking I may be late for my appointment so I leave home far to early. The walk to the train station was lovely the sun was shining and the air still, the warmth of the rays penetrating my coat, so I removed it. You always have to take a coat as the weather changes so quickly a lesson I learnt the hard way. The train runs by the lake and often you can see glimpses of the lake when there is a break between trees, houses and the industrial estates that are dotted alongside the railway line. However as usual there was a smoky haze in the air, maybe it is pollution, We have not seen a perfectly clear day yet. The platform was rather empty when I got to Geneva. This is the best time to travel, just before lunch. I walked straight to the dentist knowing I was early, I wanted to confirm my booking. Then go window shopping.
The dentist's building sits across the road from the lake and overlooks the boardwalk that meanders along the edge, a very pretty walk you can also see the huge water spout, and the boats bobbing on the lake.
As I opened the gold ornate handles to enter I could not help but think this place is going to be very expensive. My appointment was confirmed and I now had two hours to kill. This was my second time in Geneva and I thought I will not get lost it seems easy.
I walked every where many of the huge office buildings and apartments have a labyrinth of shops under them. No natural light there I felt like a rabbit in a warren not knowing which way to go next. Some of the streets were cobbled and look beautiful as long as you don't look closely. This is the land of smokers and dog owners, it seems every third person has a dog. Dogs are allowed in most restaurants and so are smokers lots of men like their cigars and I often caught the smell of a strong cigar wafting into my nostrils. The pavements are speckled with old chewing gum (as in any city) and any post or doorway entrance has been marked by dogs pee. You can imagine how disgusting it looks, funnily enough even though there is now a lot of outdoor dining they don't clean up the cigarette butts or dog wee. One amusing thing that John and I have noticed on our many outings to eateries, is that they often have a token table for non smokers smack bang in the middle of a room full of smokers. Is there an invisible barrier that the smoke stops at.? We also wondered if they realised true non smokers wont use that table.
All the city fountains were filled and running how wonderful a sign that spring is here. I also noticed that many businesses had there planter boxes out with colorful spring flowers.
Walking around had made me hungry but what could I eat that would not stick into crevices of my mouth, especially since I do not have a toothbrush with me. Water was all I had my sandwich would have to wait. The boots I was wearing were starting to hurt so I thought I may as well go back to the dentist eleven minutes early. Sitting in their beautiful waiting area I got a form to fill out and a lovely notice of information for the patient (me ). The notice told me of the highly qualified dentists in this practice and that is why they charge a little more than other dentists. That was my first sign to run, the second one came when I asked the young receptionist how much for today's visit as I wanted to make sure I had enough, she said don't worry we will bill you by post, I worried more. Over here you do not get to see a dentist with out seeing a hygienist first. So now I have my own hygienist Anne, she cleans your teeth and teaches you the correct technique for oral hygiene this also applies in England, I dont think they do it in Australia as yet.
After my teeth were de plaqued, polished and x-rayed she informs me I will need to see a dentist and she is rather confident I will need root canal. Oh sh##! That is not what I wanted to hear, so she makes my booking to see the dentist on my birthday. This is my next opportunity to ask how much this will cost, as I have been informed by many people dentistry is expensive in Switzerland. Anne tells me the dentist is the only one who gives estimates and to ask him on my next visit, conned again I have to visit and still I have no idea. Walking back to the station I could not help but be concerned, just how much more expensive are they!. Should I try and find another English speaking dentist, starting again with the hygienist and x-rays that have to be taken, well that will be a conversation I will have with John. My train was waiting, so on I charged rather pleased with myself that I did not have to wait. I had just settled when the train starts and I said out loud “this is going the wrong way” the gentleman sitting opposite understood English and asked where I was wanting to go. “Morges” I replied in a concerned voice, he told me I was indeed on the right train that I just was disorientated. Now I was feeling very foolish and wanted to hide, where do you look when some one sits directly opposite you and looks at you as if you are a dope. I glanced at my shoes thinking they could do with a polish, now how long can one glare at their shoes, so I looked out of the window unfortunatly I tend to feel nauseous if the view is coming at me. I could not help it but I glanced at him, then out the other window across the isle. He glanced at me as well, how I hate this awkwardness. Normally I would have spoken to him but I got the impression he was not wanting to chit chat, so I decided I could rummage around in my hand bag and find a pen and paper and pretend I was writing something or close my eyes and rest. The man got off on the next stop thank god only to be replaced by a young teenager with a mobile phone attached to her ear. This young lady would have been oblivious to any one around her. The rest of the trip went quickly, My feet were hurting but I had to make a stop to the supermarket and pharmacy before I could throw off my shoes and eat my lunch in the quiet relaxed atmosphere of home.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Plane trip back to Australia
News of my fathers death came to me in the middle of the night, John was in France when my mum called me to tell of the sad news. I was Ok when she told me and I asked the usual things, how did it happen? was dad without pain and how was mum herself. It was not until an hour after the call when I tried to ring all my three children and got answering services, that is when I broke down and cried and I rang John. Poor John woke up to listen to my sad news and was so supportive even though he needed his sleep for an important meeting at the Chateaubriant plant the following day.
For the rest of the early morning hours I found myself ironing and watching television as I was unable to sleep. John had organised my trip back to Australia to help mum and go to dads funeral. Dad died on a Tuesday I was to travel on the Wednesday. I got everything organised all washing and ironing up to date, the apartment cleaned so when John returns home he will find the place welcoming but empty. So on Wednesday morning a little on the panicky side I set of much too early to catch the train to Geneve. Wanting to prove to John how competent I am I attempted to buy my ticket from the ticket machine. After all I have seen John do it, you can set it for English how hard could it be…….. Well some time later and several people queuing I gave up, rather embarrassed I walked into the office and joined the queue to purchase a ticket from a human. I got my ticket but then had the problem of not knowing what platform to go to, that is when I remembered John saying he thought I would have to go to platform 2. On platform 2 I nervously waited wanting some one to confirm I was indeed in the right place. Luckily for me the screen had Geneve airport on it. Yes I was on my way and feeling rather proud of myself.
The luggage was a problem I was such a klutz I seemed to bang my baggage against nearly every thing and every body it was watch out for the crazy lady with two wheelie bags, I tried pushing one and pulling one, then pulling them both but nothing was easy. I am sure people watched like I was a comedy sketch or something out of Bridget Jones Diary. Got to the airport very early 4 hours early in fact and went to collect my booked tickets where I discovered my fight was cancelled. This is when I thought it would be a good time to break down and uncontrollably cry, blurting out between sobs my dad has just died and I need to get back to Australia. I nice young man started to shepherd me to another quiet counter where they arranged another flight, but maybe I will have more problems because Heathrow was fogged in. Again this is the ideal time to ring John he just loves the hysterical call from me( god knows he should be used to them). John always calming says don’t panic It was good I arrived early and to go to Heathrow if worst comes to worst I can stay in London for the night, but he is sure that I will be winging my way to Singapore later that evening.
What to do in an airport for hours drink coffee, eat chips, drink beer eat chips cry all in moderate amounts. I tried to read but had just started the book and had not got interested as yet , so found myself being distracted frequently and watching the clock every now and then, alright I was like a kid waiting for school to finish, I would look then look again just to find only three minutes had passed .
Eventually the time came to board the plane, now I did my maths and figured I would have an hour to spare before I board the plane to Singapore. The plane was held in a holding pattern before we were able to land in Heathrow. We landed I then had to get off the plane to be bussed to terminal 5 and of course I was right at the back of the plane and was unable to get off to get the first of the three buses. Unfortunately three rows in front of me…. some rather fat lady was dithering with her baggage obscuring the way out and holding me up. My stomach was churning I am finally on the bus and taken to terminal 5 where I then raced to get the next bus that takes me to terminal four, I just miss it and have to wait 12 minutes for the next one. Checking my watch whilst on the second bus I realise I have 15 minutes before the plane for Singapore leaves, the bus driver now announces the trip will take 18 minutes, bugger bugger bugger well I thought to myself maybe the plane has been held up as well so I keep a little bit of hope. Now that I am very anxious I am pissed off at all the people on the escalator that don’t move so I start shoving my way through and deliberately nudged the fat lady that stopped me from getting the earlier bus. As luck would have it the gate I now had to get to was right at the end of the terminal. I went through security check not a sole there just me flinging my laptop camera and headphones into the container that takes my hand luggage through the x-ray machine. Still a fair walk ahead of me I slowed my pace down it was now over 16 minutes ago that the plane should have taken off. Two young teenagers saw me and said the plane is still grounded run run run girl. So I did down the empty corridors thinking all the time they were joking with me. However I made it all hot and sweaty and grateful my bladder held up. The airline staff said “you are lucky” and I crashed down into my business class seat, very grateful I could now relax. I was travelling British airways I have never travelled business class with BA, you sit opposite each other. This middle aged gentleman was to be my travelling companion, what struck me first was his huge unruly eyebrows. One very wayward hair went up and out then curled back almost into his ear. After introductions he proceeded to discuss everything I did not need to know about British airways. I explained I was a nervous flyer and would prefer not to know that planes crashing into water was a less likely chance of anyone surviving, as the whole plane would just disintegrate. So then he spoke of his wild Chilean wife. All the time he was droning on I could not help but see that long hair from the eye brow, would it be the longest hair, could he get into the Guinness book of records, if only I could snip it off for him. The dam hair tormented me maybe I could ask him If I could pull it out, maybe I should go to sleep and I did. At breakfast the hair was still there but I consoled myself that I would only have to look at it for another hour and I would be in Singapore.
In Singapore I planned to go to the Qantas lounge and have a shower to freshen myself up before the last leg to Sydney. I went to the lounge and presented my card,” you can’t use the lounge that card does not entitle you”, you have to be accompanied by your husband. So here I was all stinky and having women’s problems and unable to shower knowing that I have the next leg in economy 8 hours sitting next to some poor sucker hope they don’t have a keen sense of smell. I sat and waited for a couple of hours the plane was late, I was confused when I found out the plane was going to Sydney via Adelaide. What else can happen!. Sitting inside the plane I got a window seat when I always request an Isle so I don’t have to climb over people with my frequent toilet trips. After putting my hand luggage away a very broad shouldered man sat beside me using my hand rest, he was big. He glanced at me and I could tell he wanted to talk. So I told him I was not in a chatting mood as my father has just died and I am not keen on plane travel, this is when he said “ it will take three years to get over it , I know I lost my dad three years ago” and he started to cry and so it begun my long flight with this man remembering and sharing all the sad moments in his life he cried on four occasions and there I sat obliged to give the man sympathy . I got off at Adelaide went through security then made a dash to the ladies where I did my best to freshen up. I went to what I thought was the correct gate as I had recognised a young Indian who was on the same flight. Thinking the plane was late as usual I got a call over the intercom, it seems I was holding up the flight as I was at the wrong gate and as usual I had to be right at the other end of the terminal what is wrong with me. I got on the plane just to have all the passengers stare at me for inconveniencing them and I was at the back again walking through the rows of icy cold stares. We landed in Sydney and just to welcome me the pilot landed like a kangaroo hopping on the tarmac finally my heart beat settled and I left the plane thanking god all plane trips were behind me. Even the 40 degree heat of Sydney did not phase me that much ( well! ok it did).
Johns wonderful Daughter Sarah was waiting at the airport all cheery and smiley a sight for sore eyes. Sarah was to drive me to the railway station. She had a timetable printed for me and off we set. Now I am not sure if I was overtired and still anxious but I got scared on a few occasions with Sarah’s driving, we got lost so maybe Sarah herself got anxious and flustered. I only commented when I thought she was a little too close to the police car ahead of us, but maybe it was her boyfriend Jake driving the cop car. Any young girl prepared to pick me up from the airport in 40 degree heat without an air con has to be commended, she is beautiful. So I took a lovely train trip in air conditioning to Wentworth falls where another lovely young lady waited for me, and drove me to Mudgee, I was grateful that Karee’s car had air conditioning but because of my luggage and my weight her poor little car struggled up mountains so we had to turn it off. When I got to Mudgee I barely acknowledged my mother and sister and raced to have a very long cool shower, re emerging as a human being of sorts.
For the rest of the early morning hours I found myself ironing and watching television as I was unable to sleep. John had organised my trip back to Australia to help mum and go to dads funeral. Dad died on a Tuesday I was to travel on the Wednesday. I got everything organised all washing and ironing up to date, the apartment cleaned so when John returns home he will find the place welcoming but empty. So on Wednesday morning a little on the panicky side I set of much too early to catch the train to Geneve. Wanting to prove to John how competent I am I attempted to buy my ticket from the ticket machine. After all I have seen John do it, you can set it for English how hard could it be…….. Well some time later and several people queuing I gave up, rather embarrassed I walked into the office and joined the queue to purchase a ticket from a human. I got my ticket but then had the problem of not knowing what platform to go to, that is when I remembered John saying he thought I would have to go to platform 2. On platform 2 I nervously waited wanting some one to confirm I was indeed in the right place. Luckily for me the screen had Geneve airport on it. Yes I was on my way and feeling rather proud of myself.
The luggage was a problem I was such a klutz I seemed to bang my baggage against nearly every thing and every body it was watch out for the crazy lady with two wheelie bags, I tried pushing one and pulling one, then pulling them both but nothing was easy. I am sure people watched like I was a comedy sketch or something out of Bridget Jones Diary. Got to the airport very early 4 hours early in fact and went to collect my booked tickets where I discovered my fight was cancelled. This is when I thought it would be a good time to break down and uncontrollably cry, blurting out between sobs my dad has just died and I need to get back to Australia. I nice young man started to shepherd me to another quiet counter where they arranged another flight, but maybe I will have more problems because Heathrow was fogged in. Again this is the ideal time to ring John he just loves the hysterical call from me( god knows he should be used to them). John always calming says don’t panic It was good I arrived early and to go to Heathrow if worst comes to worst I can stay in London for the night, but he is sure that I will be winging my way to Singapore later that evening.
What to do in an airport for hours drink coffee, eat chips, drink beer eat chips cry all in moderate amounts. I tried to read but had just started the book and had not got interested as yet , so found myself being distracted frequently and watching the clock every now and then, alright I was like a kid waiting for school to finish, I would look then look again just to find only three minutes had passed .
Eventually the time came to board the plane, now I did my maths and figured I would have an hour to spare before I board the plane to Singapore. The plane was held in a holding pattern before we were able to land in Heathrow. We landed I then had to get off the plane to be bussed to terminal 5 and of course I was right at the back of the plane and was unable to get off to get the first of the three buses. Unfortunately three rows in front of me…. some rather fat lady was dithering with her baggage obscuring the way out and holding me up. My stomach was churning I am finally on the bus and taken to terminal 5 where I then raced to get the next bus that takes me to terminal four, I just miss it and have to wait 12 minutes for the next one. Checking my watch whilst on the second bus I realise I have 15 minutes before the plane for Singapore leaves, the bus driver now announces the trip will take 18 minutes, bugger bugger bugger well I thought to myself maybe the plane has been held up as well so I keep a little bit of hope. Now that I am very anxious I am pissed off at all the people on the escalator that don’t move so I start shoving my way through and deliberately nudged the fat lady that stopped me from getting the earlier bus. As luck would have it the gate I now had to get to was right at the end of the terminal. I went through security check not a sole there just me flinging my laptop camera and headphones into the container that takes my hand luggage through the x-ray machine. Still a fair walk ahead of me I slowed my pace down it was now over 16 minutes ago that the plane should have taken off. Two young teenagers saw me and said the plane is still grounded run run run girl. So I did down the empty corridors thinking all the time they were joking with me. However I made it all hot and sweaty and grateful my bladder held up. The airline staff said “you are lucky” and I crashed down into my business class seat, very grateful I could now relax. I was travelling British airways I have never travelled business class with BA, you sit opposite each other. This middle aged gentleman was to be my travelling companion, what struck me first was his huge unruly eyebrows. One very wayward hair went up and out then curled back almost into his ear. After introductions he proceeded to discuss everything I did not need to know about British airways. I explained I was a nervous flyer and would prefer not to know that planes crashing into water was a less likely chance of anyone surviving, as the whole plane would just disintegrate. So then he spoke of his wild Chilean wife. All the time he was droning on I could not help but see that long hair from the eye brow, would it be the longest hair, could he get into the Guinness book of records, if only I could snip it off for him. The dam hair tormented me maybe I could ask him If I could pull it out, maybe I should go to sleep and I did. At breakfast the hair was still there but I consoled myself that I would only have to look at it for another hour and I would be in Singapore.
In Singapore I planned to go to the Qantas lounge and have a shower to freshen myself up before the last leg to Sydney. I went to the lounge and presented my card,” you can’t use the lounge that card does not entitle you”, you have to be accompanied by your husband. So here I was all stinky and having women’s problems and unable to shower knowing that I have the next leg in economy 8 hours sitting next to some poor sucker hope they don’t have a keen sense of smell. I sat and waited for a couple of hours the plane was late, I was confused when I found out the plane was going to Sydney via Adelaide. What else can happen!. Sitting inside the plane I got a window seat when I always request an Isle so I don’t have to climb over people with my frequent toilet trips. After putting my hand luggage away a very broad shouldered man sat beside me using my hand rest, he was big. He glanced at me and I could tell he wanted to talk. So I told him I was not in a chatting mood as my father has just died and I am not keen on plane travel, this is when he said “ it will take three years to get over it , I know I lost my dad three years ago” and he started to cry and so it begun my long flight with this man remembering and sharing all the sad moments in his life he cried on four occasions and there I sat obliged to give the man sympathy . I got off at Adelaide went through security then made a dash to the ladies where I did my best to freshen up. I went to what I thought was the correct gate as I had recognised a young Indian who was on the same flight. Thinking the plane was late as usual I got a call over the intercom, it seems I was holding up the flight as I was at the wrong gate and as usual I had to be right at the other end of the terminal what is wrong with me. I got on the plane just to have all the passengers stare at me for inconveniencing them and I was at the back again walking through the rows of icy cold stares. We landed in Sydney and just to welcome me the pilot landed like a kangaroo hopping on the tarmac finally my heart beat settled and I left the plane thanking god all plane trips were behind me. Even the 40 degree heat of Sydney did not phase me that much ( well! ok it did).
Johns wonderful Daughter Sarah was waiting at the airport all cheery and smiley a sight for sore eyes. Sarah was to drive me to the railway station. She had a timetable printed for me and off we set. Now I am not sure if I was overtired and still anxious but I got scared on a few occasions with Sarah’s driving, we got lost so maybe Sarah herself got anxious and flustered. I only commented when I thought she was a little too close to the police car ahead of us, but maybe it was her boyfriend Jake driving the cop car. Any young girl prepared to pick me up from the airport in 40 degree heat without an air con has to be commended, she is beautiful. So I took a lovely train trip in air conditioning to Wentworth falls where another lovely young lady waited for me, and drove me to Mudgee, I was grateful that Karee’s car had air conditioning but because of my luggage and my weight her poor little car struggled up mountains so we had to turn it off. When I got to Mudgee I barely acknowledged my mother and sister and raced to have a very long cool shower, re emerging as a human being of sorts.
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