Last October Kirkdale came up with Montreal as the venue for the next "Bash" - Paddynet chatters get-together, and making this booking back in December it seemed far enough away not to give it much thought, and now it's happening - the same weekend I'll celebrate four years on the net.

Over the past few months I have been far too involved working on Croydon pages for chatting, and at this rate I'll arrive (a) before anyone realises I'm actually attending (b) no-one remembers me !

Ann has also planned a few days here and there to break the trip including a 'Bay of Islands' New Zealand tour on the way home. My itinery so far ^updated reads - Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver - Montreal - Marseille - Lyon - Montreal - Vancouver - Maui - Honolulu - Auckland - Melbourne and as in the past, I shall try to upload the different pages as I go.

Rosemary had suggested a light floral shirt with a turquoise four-piece Slinky cruise set, and with the addition of an extra ultra-violet artist shirt - another hundred variations to my Liz Davenport wardrobe ! A new haircut, new light-weight glasses, wax job and the car serviced - and I'm almost set.

Yowies have been organised for collection tomorrow with special thanks to Cathie of Cadbury, so check out the Yowie site and be prepared to swap !

As I shall be relying on my Virtual address book and laptop, I hope to catch up with a few other Graingers along the way, and/or BPW members attending the global conference in Vancouver. Through the 'crossing paths' feature those already registered and linked to me at PlanetAll will be advised in advance of my itinery with contact details - so please be in touch, even if it's a phone call.

Thursday, 9th. September, '99.
Centra Melbourne Airport,
Tullamarine.

Arrival around 11.30pm, room 413. Relax, I'm here, and what hasn't been done will have to wait until I return.

Have dropped my computer off to Alan for whatever needs doing, had my postal vote application form signed, witnessed and faxed, charged video camera batteries and stocked up on film. Packed pressies, Yowies, and my laptop.

Depart V.early Friday morning 10th. September, via Sydney - Qantas QF3.

How far is it ? - 429 miles - 1hr 20mins.

Friday, 10th. September, '99.

Early morning call 4.50am. No need for breakfast - Diet Coke will suffice.

Downstairs to check out at 5.10, and the plan is leave my carry-bag here, in the car, and take the shuttle bus to the airport to check-in, take shuttle bus back to the hotel, drive to the long-term car park, and catch that shuttle bus back to the airport.

Why didn't I allow for Murphy's Law ? Departing the hotel carpark I discover (too late) I'm on the freeway - no stopping or turning back - leading away from the airport and back to the city. Looping back at the first set of lights, I find I am now in all the traffic I had seen bumper-to-bumper half-way. Police, ambulances, tow trucks. How come I am so calm ? I can do nothing about it, that's why, and I take comfort in the probability that others in this same traffic have not even booked in yet, and I can always catch another flight to Sydney.

I needn't have worried - found a spot directly in front of the airport shuttle, and the driver was gracious enough to wait for me. No problems ! No delays at immigration, either, so even time to purchase my favourite perfume on the way to the boarding lounge.

Plane taxied off at 6.50, with little cloud and a clear view over Albury and snow-topped Mount Feathertop and then Canberra, circling over Homebush Bay and the new Olympic stadium.

Few passengers, and I'm seated with sisters Racheal from Townsville, and Nicole from Melbourne returning to Vancouver although they now call Australia home.

Sydney

Transit passengers only, no access to ATM machines, and of course the flight is delayed.

City of Traralgon is full, rolling down the runway at 10.15am with another nine hours or so to go. Our flight attendant, Jeff, is a fund of information telling us this is a 'special' 747 with increased tail-fin (?) due to the shortened body length. He's chatty, pleasant, and like all Qantas staff appears to genuinely enjoy his job and meeting people.

Great meals, smooth flight, two movies, a read and a nap. We pass over Fiji with the reefs, atolls and circling sand visible. A wonderful sunset turning the clouds below pink, the engines under the wings blood red against an indigo violet sky.

First stop - Honolulu.

How far is it ? - 5087 miles - 9hr 20mins.

Thursday, 21st. October, '99,
Home.

Such a nice flight to end this trip - flying in over the ninety-mile beach along the Gippsland coast on a clear day, with Yallourn, bushland, water reservoirs and townships clearly visible - even Mt. Dandenong and Croydon ! There's even the added suprise of someone I know sitting in the seat in front of me who asks about my car. Nice one, Norm.

Apart from the fact the queues at Australian customs seem to be longer than anywhere else, I'm soon outside in the fresh air and onto the Airport shuttle bus. The driver Richard is so pleasant, he not only helps me with my luggage - even waits to make sure I don't have a flat car battery - and I'm off !

Home to cobwebs, mail piled on the doorstep, an overgrown wilderness with roses, irises and rhododendrons still in flower, no power, and a deep-freeze that isn't.

Many, many thanks to all the people I met, for making this trip so pleasant.