Seems churlish to moan about an undeniably glamorous sounding trip from Tokyo to Melbourne via Sydney but…it was something of an ordeal.  Began well at the fabulous Narita Airport.  Busy, busy, busy but guess what?  Calm, efficient, well organised, friendly even.  I was not homesick for Heathrow (as in abandon all hope etc.).  Neither was it the very lnog flight over the Pacific, over New Guinea in the night and all down the East Coast of Australia to Sydney.  Twas long and boring and sleepless and 9.5 hours but…OK.  OUr problems began at Sydney when we had to leave the plane, get re-screened and then get back on the plane for the Melbourne leg.  we did all this.  But the plane didn’t leave for three hours while they fixed something that was wrong with engine no. 2.  I’m glad they did this obviously but after a sleepless, uncomfortable night, three hours more sitting in those seats and then another  flight to Melbourne.  It was time for the trip’s first genuine AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH moment.

And then…
Great to be met by John and Gina.  I don’t think we were ver good company initially.  Grey, yawning people in your house…