Survived the 12 hour flight with surprising ease. Great plane, great food & great service all that was missing was an eye mask.

So the time was passed with 3 films, 2 books, the trashy Sunday papers as per Caroline's request, 3 hours sleep & a nice glass of Chardonnay or two!!.

Amazed given the size of the plane, it ever got off the ground; I've never had to walk up hill to board a plane before, that Airbus A380 is one big baby !!... Walking along the Upper Deck to my seat past the Suites which are a 2 room affair with sitting/dining area & made up full sized beds, First Class & even Business Class whose seats were as wide as a single bed, was an envious experience....but my little economy seat did just fine.

Of course the v dishy & chatty Ozzy sat next to me also helped.... (So Sian, sexy Oz count.... 1)

The plane was over an hour late taking off from Heathrow so my transfer at the hot (28* at 8am) & humid Changi Airport in Singapore was short & sweet, although landing & taking off at such a beautiful location made a nice change from my usual view from Ryanair's windows.

Now typing this on the 7 hour flight into Brisbaneabout to tuck into my 3rd aeroplane meal which have all been surprisingly tasty and with a menu to choose from given out when you board it's nice to get more then the boring "chicken or beef" option.

I'm really getting excited now & looking forward to seeing Caz & Lauren even more, 12 years is way too long and looking out of the plane window at the sunshine over the Indian Ocean 36,000ft below I can't wait for some sunshine R&R....so I think some more sleep is in order as I doubt I'll be getting an early night tonight!!

Then at19.35 local time, only 21 1/5 hours after leaving London, I eventually land in Australia, not such a bad journey as I'd imagined it to be after all.

Caroline, Alan & Lauren (having dodged a Kangaroo with its Joey in its pouch wandering in the road near their home) meet me at the airport & it's HOT....time to strip off the clothes & flight socks!! Then it's a short drive past the neon lit skyline of Brisbane city out to Springfield.

Caroline has bought me my first Koala (not a bear!)& Kangaroo as a welcome present & thankfully Lauren loves her Tiffany bracelet too so with the PG Tips & Cadburys chocolate delivered we sit down for much needed glass of wine & chat & yes the skydive is on!!