View from the Back
Ramblings of a retiree in France
One from the vaults: Wise words
This Friday we’re heading back to January 2016 and the start of one of our many #adventuresdownunder. As you all know I’m much looking forward to our next – and quite possibly last – one. Thanks to you know what, it won’t be anytime soon.
A very dear and wise friend said we should celebrate we’ve reached the grand old age of 60 without suffering from any serious illnesses, ailments or injuries. Well, there’s no point in receiving words of wisdom if you don’t act on them. Her birthday was the month before mine and she rejoiced in style at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.
Where did we want to spend January? My beloved and I were of one mind – Australia. Now, it’s a big place. You’d need a year to do it justice. We had five weeks, several of which we’d be spending watching cycle races. Now, come on, you didn’t seriously think we’d head Down Under without taking in the first race of the 2016 WorldTour season did you?
My beloved and I both enjoyed our trip to Australia in 2010 for the World Championships when we visited both Melbourne and Sydney. It would be unthinkable not to again include them on our itinerary, plus there’s the Sun Herald Tour and The Great Ocean Race to see. We’re taking our bikes so, even though internal flights in Australia are pretty cheap, we’ll be travelling by car and taking in some of the coastal scenery and vineyards.
In no time at all, I’d sorted out our itinerary and booked everything. It was time pleasurably well spent. There’s nothing I love more than a spot of planning and preparation while my beloved is just happy to turn up.
We’re staying in a mix of hotels and self-catering apartments so that we won’t have to eat out all the time. I also need easy access to a washing machine to cut down on the amount of clothing for my beloved otherwise he’ll be counting the number of days we’re away and packing the same number of t-shirts, socks and underpants. He does NOT travel lightly.
We’re flying Emirates with an overnight stop in Dubai which should make the length of the flight a bit more bearable. Of course, I’ll spend a lot of the flight sleeping. I have my cashmere blanket, eye mask and headphones which I’ll plug into the music channel, pop on my Do Not Disturb sign, and get my head down. I’m pretty much the perfect frequent-flyer.
If bored, I may scroll through the entertainment options to see if there’s any cartoons I’ve not yet seen. I watched the latest Minions’ movie en route to New York in November – adorable. Surely, it’s time for Toy Story IV or Happy Feet III? Just a suggestion!
By my standards I’ve not organised too much while we’re away as we’ll be out on our bikes as much as possible. I have made a couple of restaurant bookings but some of the ones I wanted to visit have only tasting menus, and not a la carte, none of which meet my specific dietary requirements. However, this won’t be a problem given the vibrant dining scene in Australia.
If the trip is half as much fun as I’ve had planning it, it’ll be fantastic. Anything more will be a bonus.
Postscript: We got upgraded to first-class on the leg from Dubai to Melbourne – sheer bliss!
View from the Back 
Five weeks in Australia sounds like a dream! I’m with you I love planning trips and Jon just shows up. It always cracks me up when he’s on a work call telling his coworkers our itinerary as if he planned it all 🙂
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My hubby does exactly the same!
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This sounds like a wonderful trip. My family do travel light with 2 suitcases between the four of us.
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I travel lightly but my OH does not
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Looks like great place to visit. Loved our time in Australia and Dubai.
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Wholly understandable
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In 2008 I preferred Melbourne to Sydney
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I too prefer Melbourne to Sydney
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🙂
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