Jet Lag Central

So I began my first day in Australia with pancakes, nutella and maple syrup (and of course, a much needed cup of tea). What a treat! 

I then went in to Margaret River to the farmers market and we did some food shopping, we bumped in to some of Charlotte's friends and we did a bit of a sightseeing drive by to the local beach. 

Once we did that we came back Sam and I did some jumping around on the trampoline and playing with the duplo. I seriously do not miss my office job. This (sorry Mum) is the kind of life I want. 

For the first time in my life I did some gardening, I planted the tomatoes, beetroot, lettuce, something else the name of which I can't remember. I also think I drowned the corn, I hope they can be salvaged. You can make it corn! It was actually a lot of fun and I enjoyed doing it.

After all the labourious (but enjoyable) stuff was done we headed off to the beach. It was a little windy but I embraced the water and we did some snorkelling. Took my body a bit to get used to the water but afterwards it was absolutely fine. I saw a puffer fish, a sting ray and a striped fish. I also split my toe open and the vicious pointy rocks all around the beach. We saw two Osprey, which until recently I was sure was only a backpack brand, that was very cool! I really enjoyed it before we headed back and went via a mob of kangaroos. Had to be done, can't go to Australia and not see Kangaroos. 

I was told by Cam that a great white had been spotted in the lagoon we were snorkelling in about two weeks previous to our visit; living life on the edge! There was actually a shark attack about 10k north of where we were, but the person got away with a flesh wound and all of their limbs! 

I've now had some delicious home made pizza and I'm on my second "Mum Measure" gin. Ready for some sleep now that's for sure.

All in all, it was an awesome day and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've definitely made the best decision of my life (long time coming) and I am looking forward to so many more days of fun and adventure.

Bring. It. On.

(P.S. I do miss the important people, you know who you are)

Welcome to Australia

I was greeted by my Aunty who was very excited to see me. I swapped in to flip flops and we headed in to Perth to run some errands. I was pretty exhausted but so pleased I had made it in one piece. 

I'VE ARRIVED

We went to the running shop where I lay flat on this comfy couch, it was beautiful. I questioned the guy about some things whilst Charlie tried on various funny named shoes. Then we went to the swimming shop and bought a few bit before the loooooong drive to Margaret River. I fell asleep on the way and did the whole head flop thing. I eventually woke up and we had a good chat whilst things got dark before I arrived. 

We had car snacks of some burger things, like onion ring crisps but a different flavour, they got snaffled. Then some m&ms, yes they exist over here. 

Then I arrived and two of the boys were awake to say hello and Cam, and I also met a neighbour. Then I had a sausage butty and a gin (huzzah for gin). Then I went to bed and was too tired to even stay awake all that long. 

HOWEVER! I woke up at 4am for a whizz and I was wiiiiiide awake. Stayed awake for about an hour before I decided to go back to sleep for four more hours. I also saw my first spider, there are quite a few but spiders don't bother me. Unless they're going to eat me, that said, I would feel that way about anything. 

About 8am I heard the boys sneaking in to the room to wake me up. Thus began my first (proper) day in Australia. 

The Journey Down Under

So it all started at 4am when I was awoken by a bright light (cheers Mum). So I rolled my tired self out of bed on 4 hours sleep and tumbled in to some clothes, I looked like a tramp but I didn't care - comfort in travel, always. Thus travel tramp was born. 

Made it to the airport in plenty of time thanks to my friend, and a touch of speeding. I took my bag up to check in and I could hear vibrating after I was sliding it across the floor with my foot, my eyes opened wide and I had to delve in there bag to turn my razor off before anything else was assumed. I managed to do it and checked in fine... 2 hours to go... now what do I do. Ok, I'm hungry... BREAKFAST! Full english? Don't mind if I do. That gave me enough time to saunter over to the departure gate and sit and charge my phone. STEAL ALL THE LECCY. When I was getting stuff out of my over-stuffed backpack I could hear a rattling in my not-so-protected sunglasses case. I was wondering what the noise was so I opened it up and found my sunglasses with an arm detached. I thought no probs I'll just reattach... oh wait... complete snapage. So I have treated myself to a new pair of very fancy sun specs. A year in the sun seems justifiable, doesn't it? (Say yes).

It was a quick run to duty free and an agonising wait for the very polite lady to chop chop and get my sunglasses as the flight was now boarding. Once I got them I could swiftly walk aaaall the way back to the departure gate. Oh, but look, a queue, how very British... I waited until the end to get on, only to find an old couple in my seat. Usually, I would argue this but I was too tired to be anything other than silently seething. But the girl in the seat in front was my partner on the seats behind so we got the couple to move. I had chose that seat specifically, as had she. (Although I did end up with the aisle seats but I wasn't complaining). 

I then watched Maleficent, played Tetris, watched Guardians of the Galaxy. I was fed breakfast with chicken sausage which was very nice, I also was fed a small baguette, which they claimed to be pizza, and drank LOADS of water. The flight went quite quickly and on the whole it was ok. There was a moment where it was so cold! But that was my own fault as I managed to tip water all over the blanket and had to carry it to the hostess' to get a new one, no surprises that happened! 

Landing in Abu Dhabi and getting to the terminal was a bit of a nightmare. We were delayed slightly getting in, then the shuttle bus took FOREVER to get us to the terminal and I rushed to security and go through it easily. Only to get to the gate and find a 45 minute delay. That was cool because I managed to make a chum. He's a nice guy from Perth who's done a lot of travelling so I was questioning a lot (poor guy). I got on the plane and I knew I had the seat next to me free but some woman moved the guy in the end seat to be with her boyfriend. Harumph! but the boy moved somewhere else after ten minutes which I was chuffed about, so I had two seats to stretch out on. I use the term stretch lightly! 

I got a bit of sleep on the second flight, when my head didn't fall backwards between the seat and the window. I also managed to watch the end of 22 Jump Street that I started watching on the first flight, the whole of Jersey Boys and listened to two very cool albums on the in flight entertainment. All was well apart from my skin almost turning crispy through a lack of moisture and a distinct lack of water, which I kept having to request.

Before I knew it we were coming in to land. I filled out my entry card and ticked yes to one thing as I have prescription drugs with me. And I also filled out my form to let them know I don't have ebola *cough*. When I came in to Australia I was asked what I ticked yes to, so I told them, then they asked where I was staying so I told them, then I walked straight through to get my bag and then straight on to the lounge where I was met by a very smiley Aunty. 

I had landed. Finally.