Australia - and jet lag

At long last I feel free of jet lag.      No more feeling drugged, half asleep, headachy and unbalanced.    And unable to sleep properly during the night.    

How do people manage when they have to work after travelling long haul by plane. Yet people do it.   Flying Business Class, is the answer people will say.    But we were upgraded to Business Class.   Although we slept on the plane, and did not feel tired during the first day, but within fourteen hours jet lag had set in.   Oh well the joy of travelling.

We left Britain, during hot and sunny weather.   Glorious weather.   And it continues too.   Always the way when one leaves a country, especially a country that often has an overload of grey, rainy weather.

Our view from the airport lounge.   Not a fantastic view, but with plenty of activity to watch.   However the football was also being played on the television, so much more interesting.   However, we did not see the end of the game, due to boarding the plane, and had to wait until we arrived in Hong Kong to find out the score.    And England won, and straight into the quarter finals of the World Cup.    And now they are in the semi finals.   I have not really caught up at all.

 We decided to fly Premium Economy, a little luxury, without spending all our life savings.    And it is a reasonable compromise as there are less people jammed into the cabin, and the seats are larger and with thicker padding,   They also recline back further and it is possible to sleep.     However, there is a design flaw in them, in that the arm rests are fixed, which makes it extremely difficult to get out when the seats in front are reclined fully.   No sliding over to the aisle seat before comfortably standing up in the aisle. 

Walter had Mr Arrogant in front of him.   All fluffy haired and stubbly beard.   Probably from Sydney.  My apologies if anyone lives in Sydney.  Definitely not a polite British person.   The man ignored the airline staff and reclined his seat during takeoff and meals, not fully, just enough to make it difficult for the person sitting behind him.   He also complained when I tried to get out of my seat (twice) even though I made sure I did not touch the back of his chair.  Despite Mr Arrogant it was a very comfortable flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong.

The flight path went via the edge of Russia.   A sneak view out of the window at the light filled northern horizon.

The approach to the airport in Hong Kong, is a trifle scary, to be sure, with the mountainous terrain, and rain clouds.   So pleased there are excellent navigation systems.   We were here for only 1 1/4 hours, just enough time to rush to the next boarding gate.

It was when we lined up at the boarding gate we found out we had been upgraded to Business Class, together with a few other passengers.   The plane to Adelaide had been changed and there was not a Premium Class cabin on board.    What a pleasant surprise.

I was certainly a very happy bunny, in my little cubicle.

And the food, beautifully presented on white plates.   No plastic cups.   And the linen was white and starched.    We felt spoilt.   But the best part was changing the seat into a very long bed. Pure bliss.   And we slept well.  No Mr Arrogant to annoy us here either. 

Walter enjoying his steak.

Setting foot on Australian soil?  All a bit dreamlike actually, especially at 5 am. And very quick through customs and immigration.    It was fantastic to see Donna and Lucy standing there, on the other side of the doors.   So lovely to be with them again.

Walter standing in front of Donna and Patrick's house.    A courtyard home, practically new, and so luxurious. 

We have been very busy, no rest for us, despite jet lag.   A new telephone for Walter, new telephone packages for us both, register for Medicare cards, reinstate tax file numbers and viewing houses.

On the second day we caught the tram into Adelaide, after we had walked for an hour trying to find the nearest tram station.    A sunny morning thank goodness.

We have had plenty of grey weather.   Almost like being back in the UK.  Winter time here with palm trees. 

But this afternoon, blue skies and sunshine again.   Love it.

We went for a walk with Donna and Poppy.    Such a friendly and affectionate dog.

It is great to be here, although a little dreamlike at first.   But now we can view the world through clear eyes and mind.    Looking forward to being settled again.