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Published: September 11th 2013
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Really on the countdown now .....
We've had the Fathers' Day, birthdays (Ted's and mine, as we will be away for both) celebrations and the farewell family dinners and a lovely weekend visit from my brother Glenn and sister-in-law, Bonny who travelled all the way from Dubbo in Central-Western New South Wales for early birthday visits for Ted and myself and to also see us both before we go.
The bed in the spare room is groaning under the weight of our "preparations" as, for several weeks now, as I have thought of something trip-related ..... onto the bed it went.
Time to get the rolly bags and backpacks out of the garage and bring them upstairs in readiness. The hiking poles are already in residence, complete with new rubber tips, as we wore out the previous ones hiking the Inca Trail 3 years ago.
The battle still rages with final preparations to be completed to keep things chugging along at home on the home front whilst we are away. The million-and-one things that have to be thought of. Home security; periodical payments in place because bills don't go on holidays when you do; instruction notes for
family who will be dropping in and out, checking on things; gardens mulched and the automatic watering system in place and being monitored to make sure watering times are correct as summer has come early (can't rely on rainfall) with temperatures already in the low 30's (should be around 23-24 deg); mail re-direction notice in place; and neighbours advised ..... phew!!
Vaccinations updated; travel agent daughter, Jenni, dropped our documents in to us last night - might need those. Passports gotten out of safe keeping and tucked safely away in our travel wallet - didn't want to run the risk of leaving them behind in the last-minute rush that you always seem to have, no matter how organised you are.
Speaking of last-minute - there is always something that crops up just to stop you feeling too complacent with how organised you think you are.
These presented themselves yesterday and last night when, yesterday morning, I went out the back door to find a huge pool of water on the back patio, outside the laundry. Further examination revealed that we have a water leak somewhere so, with a few mutterings under my breath (like, "why now?") -
put in an emergency call to the plumber, who is coming tomorrow.
Whilst having dinner last night, Ted realises that he has broken a tooth so, another emergency call this morning - this time to the dentist to try and get it fixed before we go.
Today has been a very unpleasant day weather-wise. As previously mentioned, temperatures are high for this time of the year. Gusty, dry, nor-westerly winds blowing in from the desert areas of Central Australia all day, driving up the temperatures, with wind gusting up to 78 kph. Also, no rain for months has made everything tinder-dry. Perfect conditions for bushfires.
Our bushfire season doesn't officially start for another month but, this year, has come early with major fires breaking out today in western Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains.
Ted had to go to Blacktown (about 10 kms away) to see the dentist and with fires burning out of control at Castlereagh, Windsor, Winmalee and Marsden Park (next door to Blacktown), and with a number of roads cut, he wasn't sure that he would be able to get there.
Huge columns of dense bushfire smoke had almost blocked out the
sun, blanketing the city in the eerie yellowy, orange smoky light that we've become all too familiar with during our summer bushfire seasons. The smoke making driving conditions hazardous and news bulletins advising people suffering from respiratory conditions, to remain inside.
He managed to get there and back without incident but, residents in these areas face a very anxious night tonight as firefighters continue to battle to get the fires under control. Two homes have been lost this afternoon whilst 6 firefighters needed medical attention and hospitalisation when overcome from smoke inhalation.
Unfortunately, it is a scenario that is all too common of our Australian summer. Thank goodness we have some of the best firefighters in the world .....
However, closer to home, still have lots to do so, on with the final preparations .....
Wednesday:
Busy day today with final running around. Bags still to pack, final checklists to be gone over to make sure that we haven't forgotten anything. Airline check-in completed.
Jenni will be taking us to the airport. As everyone is busy, Ted and I didn't expect any of the family to take us out to the airport
and were prepared to get a cab to the station and then the train to the airport which, is quite a good service. But, Jenni was adamant that she wanted to take us as she said, "besides, it's nice to have someone to see you off when you go away." Can't argue with that ..... 😊
Tomorrow's the day so, until next time .....
Watch this space! .......
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Natalie Pratt
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Bon Voyage
Have a great trip. I am terribly jealous but excited for you as well. Can't wait for the updates as it is like being there with you. Love you both and have an awesome time. Nat and Co