Arriving In Perth

Arriving In Perth

Arriving in Perth rather later than we expected, as usual our first job was to collect the hire car. Wendy always requests a reliable and comfortable medium size vehicle, but it's an interesting experience, to discover what car the company has actually allocated to us. Very often, it's a free up-grade, and we really appreciate the additional luxurious perks! It also gives us a chance to try out the latest models - a good thing for future reference, when the time comes for us to think about getting a new car ourselves. 

The car we rented in Perth was really lovely: a Hyundai Kona. Wendy enjoyed driving it very much and, although I wasn't a named driver, and so couldn't drive it myself, I sat in the driver's seat, and found out for myself how comfortable it was. It had excellent visibility, adjustable seats, and nice high driving position; it is available in the UK, so certainly one to bear in mind for the future.

We found the Vetro Blu apartment complex quite easily; it was very close to the Airport, which suited us well. It's made up of a number of separate buildings; we parked up by the one housing the reception and checked in. There was a very nice man on duty, and because the apartments buildings are quite far apart, he volunteered to accompany us, and help us with our luggage. 

It's interesting having taken quite a long tour like Wendy has organised for us on this trip, and how you come up against snags you wouldn't think at all likely to occur! This one was a bit different: we couldn't get in to the apartment at all, because the electronic key would not unlock the door! The receptionist took over and had a go, but the door remained stubbornly closed, and would not open! It took him a dozen or more efforts of swiping the card, until at last there was a satisfying "click" and we gained admittance to the apartment. We asked him to wait whilst we tried it for ourselves and, sure enough, there was an on-going problem. 

After being so delayed at Adelaide, we just wanted to get in and get ourselves sorted out, but until we were sure we could open the front door, we didn't dare risk going out together. The receptionist was very apologetic and assured us the "Maintenance Man" would be with us first thing in the morning, and so I stayed behind to unpack whilst Wendy went out for our provisions. After making our dinner, we finally got to bed at about 2.00 a.m. We were a bit tired!

As good as their word, Eddie the Maintenance Man arrived at 8.00 a.m. the following morning; it took him a while to discover the problem was because the lock had being fitted upside down! As we and the receptionist had been busily swiping the card up and pulling the handle down to open the door - to no avail - whoever had recently re-fitted this particular arrangement had done it "upside down." Once we twigged it was "swipe the card down" and "pull the handle up," it worked perfectly every time!  How weird; but now that we knew how to do it, we could happily set off to visit dear friends, and see what else Perth had to offer since our last visit back in 2008.

First, though, after all the adventures in Adelaide Airport, and sorting out how to open the door in Perth, we needed to catch up on some sleep. After shopping at Woolworths, and buying some more delicious chocolate eclairs (I could get used to these!) what bliss it was to have a long afternoon kip, followed with nothing much else to do at all for the rest of the day and evening. It was good to have a day off.

Feeling refreshed, in the early evening we went for a drive to Cottesloe Beach; we loved the fresh, salt smell of the spray, as the sea rushes to the shore, and where the Indian Ocean is the vast expanse to cross between Australia and Africa, making us realise what tiny grains of sand we are.

A sign at the start of the street lying just behind the main promenade read: The Secret Gnome Garden, so of course we had to explore! and sure enough, at the end of the road lay a garden populated by gnomes - and other creatures, too, all welcome to join this community of delightful imagination. Having seen it by night, we took a couple of photos, but decided we'd come back in the daylight for a better view of this magical place:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Experience A Delay At Adelaide Airport

We Experience A Delay At Adelaide Airport

Very early on at the start of our marathon adventure, Wendy said: "We have seven flights booked on this grand tour; it is very likely at least one will be held up for one reason or another, so, somewhere along the line, be prepared for a delay!"

Wendy is such an experienced traveller, and we remembered her words of wisdom on the next leg of our journey: flying from Adelaide to Perth. 

We were sad to leave Adelaide; we had had such a nice time, and enjoyed everything about it, but we were philosophical about it, and looked forward to seeing old friends in Perth. 

 

We drove to the Airport, returned the car, and checked in for our flight. We were comfortably early, and had time to enjoy a great lunch at Coopers Bar before being called through to the departure lounge area, as the flight was soon to depart. 

The plane we were to travel on had just landed from Perth, and as soon as all the incoming passengers had left the plane, and their luggage had been unloaded, we expected a smooth embarkation.

One of our aircraft is not very well...

And we sat and waited; and waited; and waited some more. Then came an announcement: there was a minor problem with our aircraft; the engineers were busy working to fix it, and it wouldn't be long before we could leave. They hoped this would be in about ten minutes. Fifteen minutes later, we were being reassured that the problem was being resolved, and we should be on our way very shortly. 

 

An hour or so later, our aircraft was still parked on the tarmac outside, and we watched the engineers working diligently on the starboard engine. The cowling had been removed, and although we could not see all that much of what was going on internally, we realised they were doing their very best to resolve the problem.  

 We're working on it!

The staff at the Quantas desk kept giving us regular updates; it transpired that during the earlier flight from Perth to Adelaide, the Captain had seen a warning light come up; as we would have expected (and hoped!) he had reported it immediately, which resulted in the efficient despatch of engineers to find and repair the problem.  

As the delay stretched to more than two hours, it was clear to everyone it wasn't a minor problem. Wendy and I were just thankful the flying crew were not prepared to take any risks at all! but there were still a few passengers who couldn't resist grumbling about it, and saying there should have been another aircraft available to get everyone in the air and on their way. We know it isn't that simple; with packed timetables, it's not possible to simply find another plane and get clearance to depart! The Quantas staff were doing their utmost to keep everyone happy, and most people accepted the delay. We were all getting along just fine, and it was an opportunity to learn more about our fellow intrepid travellers! 

The staff were also able to secure seats for one couple on another flight going via Doha, which would enable to take a further onward flight in good time; they were very pleased to be on their way at last.

We were given vouchers for a light meal, and Wendy and I enjoyed tea and cakes. After our delicious lunch, it was rather like the partaking of an afternoon cream tea - and for anyone who knows me, and what I like to eat, that could not have been better!

We're getting better, and closing the cowling

Back in the departure lounge, we continued to watch the engineers working on the plane; and then Wendy noticed some of the men seemed to be "wrapping up" the operation, stowing tools away in the trucks parked on the tarmac and generally tidying up. 

A clean bill of health!

The Quantas staff returned to their podia, and announced: "Ladies and gentlemen - Good news!" We could hear from the joy and relief in their voices, they were really happy for everyone: "The problem has been fixed, and we will be boarding very shortly." A gentle cheer went up from all the passengers; yes, there had been a problem; it had been fixed; and thank goodness no-one had taken any risks with passenger and crew safety. 

We were also told that due to the delay, the original crew had gone over the hours they were allowed to work, but other crew members had volunteered to fly so that we could soon be on our way to Perth. 

After boarding the plane, we quickly stowed our cabin bags, got strapped in and listened to the safety drill.  Then the Captain made an announcement, that Wendy and I felt really sad he had to make.

He was very apologetic that everyone had been waiting for so many hours; he appreciated our patience, but also wanted to remind passengers that all the crew were volunteers, and it would be appreciated if, as a result of the delay, no-one vented their frustration by abusing the crew.  

Wendy and I were quite horrified that this appeal even had to be made! What on earth would passengers have preferred to happen? As she came down the aisle checking everyone had their seat belts on, I spoke to one of the stewardesses, and said - loud and clear - "Thank you for coming in to work - I think you should all be given a huge round of applause!" Lots of passengers heard me, and joined in with hearty "Hear-hears!" and I could see it had struck a chord with other members of the crew. 

After we got airborne, we were served with a light meal and refreshments, and Wendy and I were given four-finger bars of Kit Kats. I was delighted! "Oh, I love Kit Kats!" I said, and tucked in. During the flight, the crew also distributed token gifts to every passenger - I was given a pack of cards, Wendy received a bag with flight necessities in it, and the chap next to me had a box of biscuits, which he nobly donated to me - the box contained chocolate biscuits, perfect for Wendy and me; I think he must have heard my delight at being given Kit Kats earlier on.

There was an atmosphere of camaraderie on this flight and later, when I went to the loo, one of the stewardesses in the galley saw me, and asked me to collect more Kit Kat bars. I was so touched by this kind gesture, and they lasted Wendy and me all the time we were in Perth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Walk Along The Seafront In Adelaide

A Walk Along The Seafront In Adelaide

After our experiences in Brisbane - a beautiful city, where we have some dear friends, but is now also tinged with sad memories of what happened to Uncle John - and Melbourne, which is quite the bustling metropolis, Wendy and I fell in love with Adelaide. Apart from spending time with a delightful friend, Adelaide is beautiful city - not too busy, it's vibrant enough, with a gentle feel to it. Adelaide is a place full of churches; it is very English and all the place names resonate with areas in the UK. It was strangely comforting, knowing we were in fact so far away from home, it still felt as though we had stepped some twenty or thirty years back in time, to a gentler age: one less violent, and a place where people are thoughtful and polite, and have time to talk to you. 

Many people think Adelaide is on the Southern Ocean, but the expanse of water we had the pleasure of walking beside one evening, is the Great Australian Bight. Bight is another name for a large bay, and this is definitely one very large bay! Checking on a geographical definition of the area, I read that the Great Australian Bight is generally considered part of the Indian Ocean, but that the AHS (the Australian Hydrographic Service) considers it to be part of the Southern Ocean.

We parked the car near Henley Beach and walked up to the seafront, enjoying a long stroll along the esplanade. All the way towards the far pier, we admired that great expanse of water ending its journey as gentle waves, lapping up on to the beach. Clearly, it is not always so tranquil; there are large boulders forming a barrier against the tides when the weather gets rough, and then we noticed some of these stones had been imaginatively decorated with paintings of a variety of sea creatures: crabs, fish, lobsters... a delightful entertainment for anyone willing to take the time to look and admire them! It was an impressive art gallery in the open air...

 Henley Beach

 And some sea-defence boulders used as canvases: we would love to know what medium the artist(s) used, to ensure their paintings could withstand the weathering in such an exposed place!

We wondered, who - or what - does "K" refer to? 

And with the flowers, is this a memorial for someone?

Getting closer to the pier, we admired "The Dream" sculpture:

Fish supper - and the pier!

After which, it was time to return to our apartment for some dinner. Salmon, anyone?!