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Published: June 14th 2006
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Our plane
Waiting at Melbourne Airport Well to say my arrival to England was an ordeal would be an understatement. After a scheduled time of leaving Melbourne Airport at 3:30pm on Wednesday the 3rd of May. We ended up leaving Melbourne at 2:50am on Thursday the 4th of May.
On the tarmac ready to take off for Singpore, the engine began revving and we were headed down the runway, until the plane pulled up and took us back to the terminal. Apparantly something was wrong with the starter engine. After sitting on the plane for just over an hour and a half we were sent back into the terminal to wait, while a part to fix the engine was sent down from Sydney and we were given a $14 food voucher. After waiting and waiting with no news, people got a little impatient (rightly so when they have kids crying) and we were not given any news, apart from, we were expected to be back on the plane in 5 minutes (this happened about 30 times). Qantas gave us no more food, and there was only a lady walking around with water for the passengers. They should have sent us back home or to a hotel.
Over the Middle East
Bored on plane so take a photo of this Finally after waiting almost 12 hours we left.
I sat next to two Adelaide girls on the flight who were set to go on their Contiki tour the next day. Luckily having had a ball on my Contiki last year I let them in on a few things they had queries about and just enjoyed talking about that great month I had last year. It was their first time outside Australia and were a little naive about a few things, but we all are like that at some stage.
After finally arriving in London after a stoppover in Singapore and a seriously long time since I arrived at Melbourne Airport. We were then greeted with the news Heathrow had no gate open for us to disembark to, so after sitting around and waiting on the tarmac, we were finally greeted with buses to be picked up from. Being at the back of the plane we were then the last ones to leave and get through immigration. Finally getting my bags and getting out of the terminal, I believe it was almost 5:00pm on Thursday the 4th of May (or 2:00am Friday morning Australian time). So seeing as though
Arriving
Finally at Heathrow I arrived at Melbourne Airport around about 1:00pm Wednesday, that is 37 hours in airports and aeroplanes!
Getting back to Essex and trying to settle in, has been a little hard for me. After leaving home after a significant upsetting event (Port Arthur 10 year Commemorative Service) and feeling like I needed people around me, I have struggled to get settled in. I was missing home a lot, and had a few thoughts go through my head. I remember I struggled a little early last year also. Just a total difference to what I was living and how I was living, so its all an adjustement. However I am doing far better at the moment, once some sort of routine kicked in, as I have been busy working for Woodland International, with a pretty good job set up and everything. But those first few days were pretty hard and depressing.
Been working mostly and played a few games of cricket, doing alright without setting the world alight. Managed to make a few mid scores in the 30's and 40's and bowled pretty well, taking one haul of 4 for and one of 6 for. Played a Twenty20 type
game, where it was 12, 8 ball overs. Luckily I made 83 not out after being dropped, getting our team over the line. But all conditions so far have been miserable, cold and wet, hopefully it will get better soon. It had better!
So not all that too much travel stuff to report at the moment, as I haven't really been anywhere other than around the local area. Need to work a bit for a while and save up some money for everything.
Been out and about a couple of times. Went out the first Saturday night, which had only given me one day to get over my jet lag, therefore my night was spent at the bar with my eyes closed for most of it. Went to a college summer ball here the other night, with some cricket guys. It was held in a couple of barns on a farm, and was surprisingly pretty good. Most people love the Aussies and are keen to chat to you, especially after a few drinks under the belt.
I am determined to leave this entry on a positive note as its been fairly down to this point! I am
looking to book a trip to Pamplona and running with the bulls soon, and also spoken to a few mates here about trying to get over to Germany for the World Cup in a few weeks time. Probably won't be able to get tickets, but to just be in Germany while it is going on would be pretty awesome!
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Amanda Hibbert
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In Italy
Hi Daniel, I like your blog. Good idea if you are traveling. I am in Palermo, Sicilty at the moment working on a dry dock. Very tired but doing well. I am heading to Frankfurt May 26th and then to Dublin to meet my best friend for 2 weeks and the down to Southampton to see my boyfriend and travel with him up to Scotland from about June 10th. If you are in the area and it is possible lets meet up. Might be a little difficult but we'll see. Throw me some dates. Keep safe and don't worry, Summer is coming!!! The weathe should get better. Italy is hot and Sunny. Hug.