Fantastic- The only thing I can suggest to overcome those nerves is a visit to the airport bar I know you don't drink but now might just be the time to take it up

G'day Sanji

sanji wrote:

Do they speak Spanish in OZ.?

No, just strine

Sanji, perhaps a visit to a hypnotherapist might help; but seriously how fantastic for you and your son sounds like a super lad. Perhaps you could suggest to him that you might need an escort to help you on the flight and I will definitely be available

I'm sure he's got lots of trips lined up for you and don't forget us Holidaytruthers (is that a word?) are on hand to give you enough advice to make your head spin.

Rosalyn

Thanks Judith & Rosalyn.

Because he's working, he'll only be able to spend a few days during Xmas week to be with us all the time, and he's going to sort out some things for us to do.
A long time ago when this was just "all talk", he knows I love the beach/sea, so he said he was going to put us near the beach in somewhere like Clovelly (where he used to live) and we can commute into Sydney, and he had plans for us to fly to Melbourne.

At this stage, I have no idea what's going to happen, some people plan for years for a trip like this, and I'm still recovering from it being sprung on me and only 5 months away.

I don't actually have a great fear of flying, Like most people I'm a little nervous at times, but nothing that I can't control, I'm just absolutely bored out of my head after 2 hours and the longer it goes on, I really begin to feel the effects of the claustrophobic conditions, so, I'm hoping that by going Upper Class and having a "bed", it's not going to be half as traumatic as going economy because I can sleep on a clothes line if I can get down flat.

I've just been on Virgin's website, goodness me, it's daunting"¦ chauffeur cars and high speed check-in and club houses.
Sorry, but I'm just dead giddy and my posts probably don't make any sense......I'll come back down to earth in a while

Sanji

Arw Sanji, what a lovely thoughtful son you have. And what an exciting 5 months lay ahead with all the planning!

Sanji, how lovely for you and your husband

Whilst five months seems along time away it's not really. Try not to worry about that flight ahead of you. A nice bed on the plane as you say and a couple of glasses of something and you should hopefully be out for the count

ah
sanji . i've just read your post from here in cuba (getting restless on my last couple of days) and just wanted to say what a wonderful loving son you have and how pleased i am for you. dont worry too much as i know you will both be fine
lyn xx

I'm getting excited now folks.
We had a few things to get out of the way before I could throw myself into this surprise trip.
We've just come back from having a holiday in Andalusia and the hubby has had his operation this week, he's ok and I'm his servant at the moment.
We finally got the accommodation sorted, at first we were going to stay in an oversized studio overlooking Bondi beach, but Australia or no Australia, I couldn't spend nearly 7 weeks cooped up in one room with my hubby.!
So, we have got a spacious two bedroomed apartment in Clovelly, which means a bit more commuting into central Sydney, but we have the sea at the end of the road and can chose to walk either to Bondi beach or Coogee beach"¦.the apartment cost more, but at least I won't want a divorce at the end of this trip or feel like committing murder.

I sent for the visas on line on Monday afternoon, and they have both been granted in the returning e-mail yesterday.

This surprise gift went pear shaped a few weeks ago because since sending the airline tickets, my youngest lad has now been posted to Singapore until February and then he moves onto Hong Kong, so, he's going to take a holiday and fly into Sydney to see us, and he'll have to leave us more or less just after the New Year celebrations.

That news was a big disappointment, and we could have stopped off in Singapore for a few days on the return leg, but every cloud has a silver lining because by taking a holiday, it means he will be with us all day and every day for nearly 3 weeks, and we will just have the month of January on our own, and as we both love the sea, I think we will spend quite a few hours/days just doing the coastal walk.

He's already got a few things planned for us, I have mentioned the Blue Mountains, the Great Barrier Reef and Melbourne to him, but neither of us are bothered about Ayer's rock, and we'll have the advantage of having someone to show us around the city until we get familiar with the place.

Counting the weeks now"¦they are flying by, I just hope the hours on the plane fly quickly too.

Sanji x

I'm so pleased for you Sanji . Crikey now summer has gone it's almost time for you to pack those cases . I must be getting a christmas humbug in my old age because I'd love to fly off somewhere mid december and come back when it's all over here . and what an experience that will be .

lyn x

Sanji I remember you posting this and it seemed so long for you to wait, well goodness it's not long now is it. Reading your post makes me feel excited for you, don't offence at all, but you sound like an little girl so hyped up and excited it's wonderful. x

aww how lovely Sanji.....missed this the first time you posted it......it just says what lovely parents you must have been for him to do this for you......want to give him a big hug and a big and tell him what a lovely lad he is.....have a great time....cant help but be exited for you...tweetie

Wow, thats quite a Christmas present! We've flown to Oz. twice and can only imagine what a difference business class would make, lucky you. We prefer Coogee to Bondi and the coastal walk is excellent, Make sure you get the ferry over to Manley for another great day out. This has to be one of the greatest places in the world for Christmas & the New Year, good luck.

OMG Sanji!

Have only just come across this thread! How lovely and what a great son you have too, by the sound of it!

I will sent whatever it is, that steals hours out of my weekend and adds them into my working week........to steal some hours out of your flight and add them into your holiday!

Keep us updated on the arrangements.................I am green with envy!!!!

Very best regards

Elaine

Thanks everyone for your lovely replies, you warm the cockles of my heart.
I am excited (which I never thought I'd ever be with something that had a plane journey of that length of time) and I'm geting hyped up every day that comes along, this is a once in a lifetime trip and probably ranks as one of the biggest things that has ever happened to us, below the birth of my 2 sons.

Make sure you get the ferry over to Manley for another great day out

Cheers, I've got that on my list...it's growing longer day by day.

Sanji x

Hi
Just to let you know that I went to Australia and made it back.
I have loads to talk about and I started a blog writing down every day what we did, and loads and loads of videos to make.
However, whilst I truly did sympathise with those affected by the floods whilst we were in OZ, I wasn't aware of the devastation to my own home cause by a burst pipe in the loft that just kept refilling itself from the tank up there....we did everything right, heating left on timed, pipes lagged and the recommended loft insulation up there.
My son didn't want to phone us on Christmas eve (Sydney time) and tell us the news, but he had no choice and he had "softened the blow" by saying a small problem.

They met us at Doncaster station and wouldn't take us home until they sat us down and showed us the video he had made, not only for us, but for the Insurance Company.
He said "I would have had a breakdown""¦well, the house was in a far better state one month later, although we still couldn't live in it and we had to find alternative accomodation....my husband cannot cope and I've just about had a breakdown and this IS something I never want to experience again.

I love Sydney, my heart has been hijacked by the place, I spent 7 weeks visiting places and never once felt threatened"¦..Early morning from Heathrow I got a taxi to Kings Cross station, freezing and hanging around waiting for the first train back up to Doncaster and I (we) felt very uncomfortable, and we must have encountered every reprobate hanging on the streets of London within one hour....the contrast really was THAT noticeable.

So, the good news is, I haven't deserted HT and I will make the videos"¦"¦the bad news is, finding the time whilst my house is in such a state and barring 2 rooms, everything has been destroyed by water"¦.6 ceilings down, new door frames, internal doors, skirting boards, walls replastered, electrics knackered"¦..everything gone totally gutted.! The water started out as clean water, but brought down all the muck and dust a loft accumulates in 32 years and was the colour of coal...... but no snakes, insects or crocodiles here.

Sanji

Ah shirley . Good to hear from you and obviously really pleased you loved Oz and got the chance to see & spend quality time with that dear son of yours. Really looking forward to seeing all your Oz material.

Good enough to go back or make a home there or are you still a Yorkshire lass at heart .

I know your home can all be fixed and of course it will but no doubt you've lost some precious memories there too .
I have a feeling you will sit & laugh about this one day though

lyn x

Hi Sanji

So glad you had a brilliant time, will look forward to reading your travel journal when you find the time. Sorry to hear about the flood in your own home and hope it can all be fixed soon for you as soon as possible.

Pinky

Hi-ya Sanji

I can't imagion how you felt on returning to see your lovely home in such a state, it must have been heartbreaking, no wonder you almost cracked.
But I'm pleased that you now feel up to posting again, and along with many others, I look forward to following your travels in Oz, till then ,

My love and best wishes xx lassi

Such a terrible ordeal to come back to.

Glad you enjoyed Australia
So when you're flying out there again?

Mark