Gooooooooood Mooooooooooorrrrning Sydney!!

Well hello there faithful follower!  At last I can begin the blog! Wow what a first 24 hours (although with jet lag, time difference and all  that jazz it is actually 6am on Thursday morning.... work that one out!) it has been.  As ever I sit here ready to start, watching the sun rise over another beautiful vista, ready to share it all with you.  Sydney is awakening and here we go....

Now, last time we were at the airport just ready to go, and I have fb'd since then so you all should know we arrived safe and sound.  But as always, the path did not run as smoothly as anticipated....

Firstly, there was no 'assistance' for Pops at Heathrow.  He's a bit of an old crock these days, 2 porcelain hips, a dodgy knee and the old lungs not being what they were so he deserves a little help from time to time.  Heathrow's idea of assistance is being told by 3 different people to walk to 3 different locations only to find the walk to get the assistance is further than the assistance required.  Needless to say when we finally got to speak to someone who understood the concept, they were subject to a lot of sucking in through the teeth, head wobbling and tutting and Pops finally got wheeled 2 yards to the plane door.  There will be an email......

Now, this was Pops first long haul flight, Spain being the furthest he had been so far, so I had bigged up the joys of round the world flying - the free drinks, food, relaxed atmosphere, the ease in which you can navigate the plane, how the staff are always there to help.  If you are not flying BA that is.  Which of course, we were. I always pick the cheapest and have never been disappointed, and our national airline is always the most expensive.  Not this time so it was their turn.

Seats at the back always (near to the toilets, the galley and room to stand and do those ridiculous exercises) and we just had 2 together so we wouldn't disturb anyone.  I am so used to travelling alone that the discussion as to who wanted the aisle or window seat almost descended into a farce, so Pops chose the window. We settled in and it was tine to go.  Leaving Blighty behind us hoping for sunnier climates, we linked arms for take off.

The flight was uneventful as far as flying goes, but there were some entertaining moments, of which I will list, in order to spare you the boredom of reading reems about 2 ginger travellers cooped up in a tin box for 24 hours.....

Pops attempting to get from the window seat out into the aisle whilst the 2 seats in front were reclined leaving only enough space to squeeze a small child through. 

Trying to get him to use the in flight entertainment system and him forgetting he had the headphones on when announcing he was going to watch the football, much to the amusement of many around us.

Watching him trying to balance the meal on the small tray table and negotiate getting the food to his face over his belly with seat still reclined.

Realising the gluten free meal I ordered (I'm still trying to avoid bread) was a mistake and getting food envy very quickly, and finally giving in and asking the cabin crew to 'just give me a bread roll and any food you have left over....'

Landing over the lights of Singapore, BA once again not getting the concept of 'assistance' and finding it at the top of the gangplank after we had taken 10 mins and 3 inhaler puffs to find it.

Actually only being off the plane for 20 mins before re-scanning everything we own (thankfully no undressing for Pops this time)

Watching him wrestling with the little cup of orange juice and thinking to my self 'he is going to be wearing that soon...' and laughing out loud as he did.

Finally coming into land over Sydney as the sun rose, turbulence making it like a big dipper ride, seeing the look on my Dad's face and getting a lump in my throat as  this eyes misted over (he was overwhelmed, not in a coma) and holding his hand as we saw the stunning Harbour Bridge and Opera House below, the sun glistening on the water of the bay and finally landing in a surprisingly windy Sydney.

The Aussies put us to shame on the assistance front and soon we were racing down the halls of the airport on a bloody beep beep wagon, wooping and laughing at all the poor saps who now had to stand in line as we were whisked through customs like Royalty.

Pops being rather disappointed that they weren't filming Boarder Control and saying 'I'm worried about all the drugs I've got' quite loudly which was met by s swift prod to the ribs and a glare from me.  There was no way I was going into a room to assist the Boarder patrol with the removal of those flight socks for a search......

And finally we were through, we were here, we were Down Under and the trip of a lifetime could start for Pops and another great adventure for me could begin.

Being slightly miffed at BA for the basic-ness of the plane and all the other gubbins that comes with long haul travel.  But hey, I love a moaning email with the prospect of an upgrade.......

So that was the journey, a potted version as you can imagine, 24 hours condensed down like Jack Bower in 24.  Only not at all.  Not so much Snakes on a Plane as Slightly Tired and Irritable Gingers on a plane.  But more on that, and the weather, in the next instalment!!

It's coming right up, so re-charge the caffeine and Valium and TTFN!!