Arrival in Oz

 Good morning from 32 degrees in Port Douglas.

So after 2 years 5 weeks and several hoops to jump through, I finally made it to the airport and the long 17 hour flight to Darwin.  Met a lovely young man from Tasmania, got an invite for a meal with Pam and Paul.  Arrived in Darwin to be met by a blast of very hot air and another young man who helped me through the machines that then allowed me through Melbourne airport.  A great advantage of growing old!!!

So after 22 hours we finally had a hug and a few Kleenex tissues!!,

Driven to their apartment, had the tour, a cup of tea and went to bed!!!

Woke around 7 am and felt fine!!! False hope, jet lag stayed with me for about 5 days.  Pam is about 4 minutes from the beach, so we managed to have a few walks to give Paul a quiet house in which to work.  Cafe culture over here, so coffee in the sun, or hot chocolate for some!!!

On 28th another flight to Cairns for Pam and I, in a lovely apartment in Port Douglas, or Port as they say here😊😊. And 32degrees.   Lovely apartment with pool.  So been to the rainforest, which was great, except no rain so very warm and  a short river cruise where we saw the largest croc just basking in the sun, grinning away.  Think he saw my fairly large body and was licking his lips, lunch on its way!!! Today off on the Barrier reef to give the new swim suit an airing!   Pam been out for a five km walk (not got my genes!!) I just went in the pool. 

The pace of life is very different over here, laid back, but everyone is so friendly.

Very bizarre situation last night, chatting to a couple by the pool who lived near Pam in Oxford, then found out she had worked for David as a 15year old.  You couldnt make it up.   Had a couple of acquaintances in common.

So we are here until. Monday, then Melbourne and then a few days in Sydney.  I will need a holiday when I get home.

So very sorry you are having snow at the moment!!! It does seem difficult to think of snow in this heat.