Signing off
OK, so it seems that merchandise which winds up in an airport goes through some sort of 'size-warp'. Toblerones are prone to expand and apparently, 'Pringles' shrink. Both in circumference and thickness. But don't worry, the price has increased, presumably to cover the cost of the different sized product, the different sized packaging and so on.... Airports are obviously very significant sources of revenue.
It's Brisbane airport that we're sat in now as we await our flight to Dubai, and so, home. It is quite late in the evening and the departure lounge is quiet. The high ceilings which they favour these days, give the space a hushed, almost reverential feel, as people glide by, their cases gliding obediently by their sides. This is the sterile space between worlds where we 'limbo dance' until we reach our gate and exit it. Only people's dress might give a clue to the country that they call home.
It's a good time to reflect on the past month. There has been a sort of symmetry to our visit here. We started by staying at Ron and Joy's, going to Coopers coffee shop on the sea front and that is where our wanderings came to an end today. We have finished where we started. Too many memories to assemble. Ron asked what the most memorable things had been and I embarked on a list of experiences. Kate interjected with a more meaningful observation. Meeting family who I waved goodbye to in 1970 and haven't seen most of since, has been a significant part of this trip. It is what has brought meaning alongside the pleasure of exploration.
Today, we just wandered along the coast in the morning. Along with the rest of Brisbane, that is, who are still resolutely determined to remember the King's birthday. Since we were here a few weeks ago, the Jacaranda trees have burst into bloom. An extravagance of mauve flowers which almost look wrong, but stunning.
We returned and ate most of the rest of yesterday's bbq. Including the apple and blackberry crumble - surely a staple of any respectable bbq.
Then it was time for a final bout of pool. It seems that my splendid form has faltered. Or to put it another way, ultimately skill will triumph over just trying to be as awkward as possible. It was a trouncing.
And so to the airport, where this blog began. Ron and Joy dropped us off and after fond farewells to them and to Australia, we joined the dance of no man's land.
We are on the plane. Don't worry, I'm in flight mode. It's 11pm. So why are the cabin crew dishing out a full blown meal? Even more shockingly, why am I eating it?! I suppose there's nothing else to do. I will never understand the thinking behind supposed meal times in the air. Why the time warp? This leg of the flight is fourteen hours. It seems they're determined to fit all three meals into this time. And we, like sheep, meekly acquiesce to the multi-partitioned trays with carefully planned courses. I don't want the miniature cheese and miniature biscuit just yet, so I have stowed them away in case of emergency. Why, it could be another three hours before the cabin crew serves breakfast! Oh well, back to my Sudoku book. Kate is busy watching Blue Lights. There is a bewildering choice of programmes on the screens infront of us. It always overwhelms me. I watched a documentary about AI just now. How will I ever be able to trust that it really is Fiona Bruce again?
Assuming that everyone's journey started at Brisbane, which is likely to be the case for most, everyone's body clock must tell them that it is now 3am. So why are we being given breakfast? (as prophesied!) I don't get it. Perhaps studies have been done which show this is the best way to overcome jetlag. When Kate and I politely refused breakfast, there were genuine looks of confusion and concern.
Well I guess Dubai is as good a place as anywhere to set you free of all future 'bloggage' and sign off.
We've made the flight connection in Dubai, despite walking about ten miles of polished chrome corridors, catching a polished chrome train, taking a polished chrome lift and using several polished chrome escalators, one of which you need a good head for heights for.
Whilst in Dubai airport, we had to go through two of those processes of putting just about everything apart from your underpants into a tray to go through an x ray whilst, what remains of you, is searched. We didn't even leave the no man's land bit when in the airport. When the officer barked "Do you have any electrical items in your bag?", I said "No", then shrieked "Yes! My kindle!" It reminded me of the monty python sketch where someone had to answer the most difficult question in the world, which turned out to be 'what's your favourite colour?' And he answered with the wrong colour, by mistake. Happily, I was not removed from the face of the earth.
This blog didn't end in Dubai, after all. I'm now sat on the plane to Manchester. Now that does sound final.
Thank you for reading my prattle over the last month. If you've read them all, you deserve a medal.
We're in the second A380 of the day. Perhaps I'll suss the bewildering in-flight entertainment this time?
It’s been a great read, you having the time of your life, catching up with the family. Welcome home, I guess Spofforth has a lot to live up to!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant writing Stephen. I listened to the last one on a reader which made some of your anecdotes even funnier. I might go back and listen to more! Not liking polished chrome, even one pan in the kitchen, I might avoid Dubai!
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