These two were enjoying the sunshine while we waited for our transfer car to collect us on Monday morning Rome time; discussing what a wonderful trip we’d all had and how we might need to have a little rest from red wine for a few days once we got home.

We’ve learnt that travelling with a 90 year old has its advantages. Especially one who is travelling Business Class. 😎

Our check-in with Singapore Airlines involved no waiting at all, and during the brief stop, a very nice man arrived with a wheelchair for Kath. Wow is this a ticket for every short cut in an airport. Not only did our bags get checked through as Business Class, but we too skipped every line through security and customs and arrived at our designated gate in just under 30 minutes. We were gob smacked by the line ups we saw during both these processes, but we had no wait at all. I even bought through a bottle of water I’d forgotten to declare.

Kath declined the invitation to wait in the Lounge and chose to stay with us. Mick did suggest he try to use her pass for the lounge which was greeted with a little chuckle.

With our speedy progress to the gate, we had some time to spare so I took up the offer to play this.…

… beautiful grand piano which was just near where we were sitting.

Actually, I was only posing here, but a very talented young passenger played it for about 25 minutes to a huge round of applause.

We made our connecting flight in Singapore with the help from another wheelchair person, and only waited 30 minutes before we boarded and were off again.

The drive from Brisbane to Ballina was a bit of a test as the traffic was horrendous down to the Gold Coast.

Anyway, we’re here safely reminiscing the highlights of our trip and our good fortune – no lost bags, missed flights, broken bones etc. And Kath is skiting about all the fancy things on offer to her in Business Class, and all the stories of the staff who fussed over her for the two flights.

I’m sure the memories will feed many conversations for months to come.

Mick and my next holiday is in a few months – we’re off to France to house sit in late July for 3 weeks, then in Cambridgeshire for two weeks, home again in early September.

I now need to get back to revising my French!! 🇫🇷