Up up and away...New Zealand here we come!

So are you ready for the off?

The house is clean and tidy, the dog has been dropped off with friends, plants watered, bags packed, fridge and freezer full to capacity with enough supplies to feed a village never mind just for one unfortunate not going away, cases shut, passports at the ready, taxi waiting and you've even checked in online...

nothing more to do but to get excited and off we jolly well go....

But where are we going? 

Oh didn't I tell you? We're off to New Zealand on the A380!

psst...don't tell anyone else, but we're going business class. 

I know I spoil you but you're worth it!

 I know the sun's only just rising but we've got things to do and places to go....so climb aboard.

 So this is my seat...not bad eh?

I could get used to this!

Hey when did we take off? Does anyone hear the engines? 

(the A380 is incredibly quiet)

See you later Melbourne...

Look at all that leg room...and there's even secret storage for your shoes!

Ahh....breakfast ~ well the first course anyway....

No trolley cloggy up the aisle so it's easy to stretch the legs to keep the circulation happy...

and voilà...there's the bar!

 

I couldn't take a wide shot of the bar because quite a few guys were enjoying the beverages available...

and yes it was only 10.30am! 

But I suppose the sun was setting in some part of the world?

Crisps, nuts and cakes just in case breakfast wasn't enough...

It's such a pity that we've only got approximately 4 hours 3 minutes to enjoy all of this...

 whoops...we're about to land so see you again soon for the next installment.

Hello New Zealand....

Hot Air Ballooning

It was a beautiful autumnal start to the day today.

When I opened the blinds, there silently moving across the sky overhead was a hot air balloon.
It was the type of morning that would be great for a hot air balloon ride, either over the city of Melbourne or the Yarra Valley.

There are often quite a few balloons moving across the sky at that time of the day, that could easily be missed, if you weren't looking. According to a neighbour one even had to make a quick landing in the nearby Oval once - thankfully I wasn't involved. But they managed to take off again and carried on with their journey - with a whoosh from the burners - so majestic, slowly rising up, up and away.....

I wish I could tell you that I've done this first hand, but then I'd be telling a little porky pie (little white lie).

But it is on my list of things to do....

The early start of 4.30am doesn't put me off and the beautiful sunrises are certainly an incentive with a champagne breakfast to complete a fantastic trip, certainly appeals.

I'm just a little unsure about that extremely small basket!

But I can appreciate that it is truly an experience not to be missed. Maybe if I start with the champagne first - that might work....hic, hic!

These photo's were taken by my friend, who had a great time and recommends anyone to have a go....me included.
Don't worry if I do actually make it up there, I'll certainly post my own pics.
Trust me you'll hear about it. (Probably hearing the screams upon landing too).

Muffin's Mission from Middle East to Melbourne

I thought it was time to introduce 'Muffin' and her expat experience to you.... yes, as you can see she rules the roost and has a certain air about her.

Once we knew we were leaving the Middle East and that Australia was on the cards there wasn't a moments hesitation, she had to come too. Remember Dogs aren't just for Deserts they're for life! No way would we want to leave our youngest even with so many offers of good homes, and although Muffin only knew heat, sand and the muezzin call to prayer we wanted to give her a chance of a proper doggy life ie trees, dog walks, lamp posts, and fire hydrants.

Here is Mufftypup socialising at her leaving 'do'! Saying goodbye to all her puppy pals. She's always been a party animal.


After months of prep, paperwork and thankfully a brilliant pet relocating company we were ready to head off. The only trouble was that the airline had indicated that they wouldn't transport any snub-nosed animals, either cats or dogs. So a quick rethink was called for and drastic measures taken. How to make a Shih Tzu appear to have a proboscis?!!?!?! Not an easy feat as you can see from the photos. Hairdressers would be sued for this kind of make-over.


It was a very tense time waiting to see if she was detected and busted or would she be successful in her mission. After flight delays and long hauls we received the call that she'd finally made it.

Welcome to Melbourne Muffy.... Just one hurdle - quarantine!

After the initial excitement and desperate wags powerful enough to light up a large suburb she crashed and slept in my arms for two hours.

Obviously overdone the duty free! See once a party animal always a party animal.

The trouble came when time was called and I had to leave her once more. Not an easy task, let me tell you.

Disclaimer....the following picture comes with a warning and may cause some distress but no animal was harmed in the making of this film.

Yes that's her in the centre of the pen but she did her time and finally.....

Free at last, FREE AT LAST....

"What's all this green, soft stuff and it smells sooooooooo good"? Can't beat that cool breeze blowing through your hair.

Living the Dream.....

It's all too much this paparazzi performance....wake me up when its dinner time.

Once a diva always a diva.