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And so we come full circle (well half really as we didn't go to Darwin or Perth) to Sydney, the people's capital. After 72 days of travelling through and via 2 time zones, 6 states, about 681 seasons, temperature ranges from 7 to 38 degrees C, vicious hangs and not an inconsiderable number of restaurants, bars and crazy activities, we arrived in Sydney on the 15th, with plenty of time between then and ma's flight on the 19th and ours on the 20th. Lily's going strong, she's wheezing a bit and rattling when she's in first, and her brakes are not what you'd call unresponsive, but she's ok for a 22 year old. So much so that we've sold her to a good guy from Israel - 10 minutes before boarding for NYC. We need to prove our ownership, we're on the phone to Perth squeezing info out of the bureaucrats, our purchaser needs to hear that we own Lily, and our flight is being called out over the tannoy - "Final call for flight QF685 to New York via LAX." . Perth won't give the info up, no proof, no deal, tick tock tick tock, we're going to miss this flight. A monumental leap of faith and I'm sprinting back to the van, where we do the money / keys transaction thing and then I'm sprinting back into the airport, me and Abs huffing and puffing our way through security and elbowing the elderly out the way. Tsk tsk. Made it with seconds to spare, only after a further security check allowed US paranoia to confiscate our wine, shaving gel and moisturisers from hand baggage. What are we going to do, exfoliate the stewardess to death? Sydney was better this time weather-wise; lunch by the harbour with Abs mate and family, a wander round the aquarium, ma got to visit Bondi on the best day of the year and jetboat under the bridge and around the opera house which she loved. Unfortunately we never got to celebrate our epic Oz experience in true alcoholic style, as Abs and I had the task of marketing Lily to the masses in quick-smart time to get her sold. But it's all a bit good really, ta muchly Australia - it was superb to see ma in Adelaide after she'd travelled halfway round our planet - Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road highlights. It was awesome to get larrupped with Stu and Fuzz. To buy a van. To drive a van 11,532kms. To sell a van. That that van was Lily. "The Cairns Pose". Mistaking a shower tray for a toilet, and admitting it. 26 eagles. Dead kangaroos. Juvenile dolphins. Faraway sharks. Inquisitive dingoes. Thorny lizards. Massive spiders. Amorous koalas. Waspy crocodiles. Obese labradors. Seeing the Whitsundays in all their technicolour glory. Exploring the dusty other-worldly oddness that is Coober Pedy. Body-dragging and back-flipping. Talking utter gibberish about pinot noir. Photos of a certain someone swatting flies. The Birth Canal rapid. Horizons. Batfish. Vegetarianism. The word "exactly." Clouds. Christianity and the caterpillar. Do you see what I'm saaaaaying? New York coming up - laters 'tatas. C x
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Fidencio Hi Paige Thank you so much for your comment and iintve to your party! I have to say loving your blog title and the play on words, so fun and clever!Enjoy your weekend,Katie
Suiseiseki Good gracious it bnrigs it all back in glorious technicolour! Having left Malaga airport in the rain we arrived in Stansted under a clear blue sky and beautiful autumn colours! Do hope the rain cleared up for the walkers. Will try and send some of my photos if I can work out how to do it easily.Kindest regardsShona
Januka Hi Paige Thank you so much for your comment and intive to your party! I have to say loving your blog title and the play on words, so fun and clever!Enjoy your weekend,Katie