NOW FOR THE UK.......

Departure day, Thursday 18 August, 2011,

Up early to pack before loading the car with our underweight baggage. Really wanted to use our full allowance of 23kg one bag checked in and 7kg carry on plus handbag, lap top, and coat. However, failed by kilos - Graham's checked bag was only 19.6kg and mine was 20.5kg. Carry on was also well under by about 2kg each and no coat (we are going to summer in the UK).

Off to the Brisbane International Airport in good time, quick dump and run by Simon, Zoe and Mani, then off to a short check in line at the Qantas desk. Check in successful, security check negotiated then processed by Immigration before being let loose in the 'pit'.

A last cup of Merlo Soy Latte (ordinary cappy for Graham), last phone calls and SMSs before setting off for Gate 84 to board our flight to Singapore. 'Was that announcement about flight QF51?' 'Yes! That's our flight.' 'Did they really say that our aircraft had just been struck by a bird (or is it the other way around?) as it landed in Brisbane?' Turned out to be a significant bird strike and the aircraft needs a new nose cone. A new nose cone was located in Sydney, a suitable flight to Brisbane was identified - had to be a big aircraft because the nose cone is BIG - and ETA Brisbane is 3.45pm. Luckily Qantas still has Australian based engineers and it is anticipated to take about 2 hours to fit. Expected boarding is now about 6pm.

We have been issued with $18 Light Refreshment Vouchers to tide us over and they have undertaken to rearrange our onward flights. So now off to the food hall to buy another 'last Merlos before departure' and whatever else we can get for our $18.

'uh oh' new announcement - 'In the interests of safety the fitting of the nose cone will take longer than first thought so ETD is now about 9pm.' A second food voucher has now been offerred.

Update 9.30pm

We have now eaten our way through the two food vouchers each, surfed the internet, charged the phones and my netbook, had a short sleep and are ready to travel. Latest update from the ether has informed us that expected departure is now 10.30pm.... Better get ready for action!