Canberra to Melbourne to London
So at last the adventure begins. The day begun like any other day that has gone before it. Except that today is the day that we fly off into the big wide world to Morocco. Or at least start heading in that direction.
As I said the day started like any other. I got up and made a coffee, the half formed idea that I would sleep in this morning didn’t happen. It was a good idea I thought. After all I knew it would prove to be a long day. Still I battled to stay in bed until 0700 hours before giving up. Thus the coffee. Still that would have happened anyway.
My intrepid travel partner and flat mate Lou got up shortly there after with a grin on her face and the vacuum cleaner in her hands. A strange reaction to being excited I grant you but every now and then I’d hear this excited cackle coming from the other room overr the noise of the vacuum.
Next came the whole packing the backpack thing. This was meant to happen yesterday except the washing machine decided to play up so it took most of the day to get the washing done. Then we had to hang it up all over the house and bump the heat up to get it to dry.
Anyway I was writing about the packing thing. I kind of insisted that Lou put all of her things out in the lounge room that she wanted to pack. It’s kind of become a tradition when I go away with someone. All the stuff we want to take goes into the lounge room then you swap sides and check the others gear with prudent culling if necessary.
I must say I was very impressed. I did not have to cull Lou’s gear at all.
I’m not sure some of you understand how impressive this is. I’m talking about a girl who can take a couple of suitcases filled with clothes for one weekend away let alone 6 weeks! Lou may have a little more in the clothes department but my bag is a little heavier due to some of the stuff in it.
After the whole packing thing a couple of friends, Trev and Ros, came over for lunch. Now there was method in my madness I assure you. See the flight from Canberra to Melbourne did not leave until 1725 hour so rather than spend most of the day checking the time we invited Trev and Ros over.
A few relaxed hours passed then it was time to head for the airport.
The Canberra to Melbourne leg was short and uneventful. After all it only takes about an hour.
We picked up our USD and GBP that we’d pre-ordered. at the airport in Melbourne. Just as well we’d ordered beforehand, besides the convenience the Australian Dollar had gone down by a couple of cents. Ok so it is only a couple of cents but sometimes those cents can add up and go a long way when overseas.
Passing from landside to airside was painless with no ques. The advantage of arriving early I guess.
Duty free was also fairly painless and I only picked up the gear I intended to. A new watch and a splitter, spare headphone set for the ipod for Lou and a power adapter. I’m sure you all really are enthralled to hear about my whirlwind shopping spree in duty free!
Oh alright so I brought a book as well…..
So here we are in the Qantas Club lounge waiting for our next flight. A little earlier then we intended since we wanted to have a nice dinner before heading off. We asked before we passed through the doors that separate landside from airside if there were restaurants airside.
We were told yes.
The silly man should have said no. Other then coffee there really isn’t.
Still the nice people in the Qantas Club on hearing our plight made us a plate of hot food. They did not have to after all it was not their fault that the silly man did not know what he was talking about. So on the trip so for the Qantas Club staff get a thumbs up and a little smiley face. 
