Up, up and away

 My bag was already packed, just carry on luggage as it's all I could really manage. As a last-minute adjustment to my luggage, I swapped my sun hat for my felt hat which is way more effective in the rain. I was booked on the 11.25 Qantas flight, a fairly civilised time for departure. Chris had offered to pick me up and she arrived at 9:45, allowing plenty of time for any traffic delays.

The delayed flight message came as we were on our way to the airport. Fortunately less than half an hour.

Random people offered and provided assistance with getting my bag on and off the security screening carousel.

I purchased a coffee, which wasn't very good, from serving person who told me that yes they had low-fat lactose-free milk and no they didn't. It would be nice if people got things right the first time. Then settled down to wait. 

Further office of help came to assist me with my bag across the tarmac and in getting my bag into the overhead lockers. I settled into my seat and needed to ask the woman next to me to retie my sling which someone else had managed to tie with one section each side of my handbag strap. 

The flight was across lunch time and I must admit I had expected more than a small snack bar on to be served during the flight. 

Arriving in Sydney. I made my way to the bus stop and caught the 350 changing it to the 309 to get to my favourite fabric shop for my annual fix. 

Again, people on the buses were kind and helpful and I had people stand to offer me a seat and offers to assist with my bag. Keeping my arm in its sling for public transport and in crowded places definitely has its advantage.

 Depositing my case behind the counter. I perused the remnant bins and the silks with a quick wander around the other fabrics and selected a rather attractive polyester print and a length of blue patterned silk. Both were bargain priced, as the manager pointed out to me in respect of the silk in particular.  A particular bonus was the information that I had $20 from my frequent shopper points which went towards the purchase. The staff assisted me with getting the fabric into my suitcase and lifting the suitcase down onto the floor for me.

Later that afternoon, as I looked at the multicoloured fabric more, it started to look increasingly familiar. A quick check back through my photos and I purchased an exact same piece last year. Oh well a dress and a blouse from the same fabric.

Back to the bus stop and the 309 which was very crowded through to Waterloo station where I had my first experience of Sydney's new Metro service and was duly impressed by its frequency and speed. I was at Chatswood station in what seemed like no time.

A quick visit to BWS and Woolworths and I was ready to go to my Airbnb. My little fold-up shopping bag was a bit heavy and awkward to manage along with my suitcase so I booked an Uber. The Uber was to arrive in 2 minutes. Fabulous! The 2 minutes reduced to 1 minute and spun out to 3 minutes then spun out to 5 minutes, then 6 minutes, then 9 minutes. After more than 15 minutes of waiting and the driver's failure to respond to my message, I cancelled the Uber and started to walk. Walking with my shopping bag and case, even though the suitcase was on wheels was not terribly comfortable and once I was across the Pacific Highway and off that busy road I messaged my Airbnb host to let her know I was on my way. She kindly offered to come and meet me, an offer I gratefully accepted.

I settled into my Airbnb and relaxed with a cup of tea and a snack of fruit before meeting Jonathon for the walk round to their place and a delightful evening with a tour of their renovations and dinner of platters of sushi. 

It was lovely to catch up with them again and I look forward to more time with them over the weekend even though the forecast is looking very soggy particularly for Sunday and Monday.