I was awake early thinking about all of the things we needed to do this morning, especially as Hugo had realised late last night that he was without a number of things he needed - So, after weeks of gentle natured ribbing from Hugo about me being super organised, It's now off to the shops for a last minute hunter/gatherer expedition for him.
After repacking his suitcase a little more effectively, so the lid actually closes, it was lunch with 4 of the kids. Finally 2pm arrived, and off to the Emerald Airport we go. Checkin was easy, with the local Qantas fellow checking our luggage all the way through to Dublin on our behalf, which saves another queue wait at Brisbane International.
Flight leg one was without incident. My Brisbane dwelling son collected us, Brisbane Domestic kerbside, and we do a quick driveby to say hello and goodbye to yet another son and daughter in law. Happily, I managed a quick snuggle with our grand daughter. Counting my blessings as we speak, 10 healthy kids, almost as many daughter in laws, and 4 happy grand kids. I'm feeling very lucky as we jump into the car to make the 7 minute return trip to the airport.
Checking with the International Emirates service desk, we were given the access to the Emirates Lounge in Brisbane and Dubai.. Emirates staff are always courteous, cheerful and helpful. Couldn't move our seats as the plane is at full capacity, but Jason assures us we will be more than comfortable with our allocated seats from Qantas in Emerald.
Through security with just one body scan and a bag vacuum, getting through customs was a breeze as well. From drop off at kerbside to Emirates Lounge, was less than 30 minutes... How good is that?
The food at the Emirates lounge is better than most restaurants I've eaten in, the alcohol high quality and the handmade chocolates plentiful. I love it. It makes a long wait much more pleasurable, or perhaps it was just the French Champagne making me feel so relaxed. Staying away from all the fabulous food was the most difficult thing I have had to worry about so far!
Finally, Onto the plane only a few minutes late, all seated, full flight, ready to head off at 9pm, and the captain announces the ground crew have located a leak, and that he will update us with any further information in approximately an hour.
So, here we sit, flight at full capacity, business men, kids, babies, the newly weds and the elderly, waiting on the Tarmac for the result of the engineers report and maintainance to be completed. We've had hot towels, menu's, and water been brought around already, the staff ever so patient with the increasing discontent. 75 minutes down, and Hugo is already half way through his first movie. Give him a screen and a set of headphones and he is as happy as Larry. He is such a fantastic travel companion, nothing fazes him, he is calm and relaxed and happy.
I've made friends with the man beside me, a Scotman whom I'm sure is a relative of Jimmy Barnes. He has been here for three weeks after flying over for a funeral. Hmm, how do I get this information out of people within minutes of meeting them? It's like, "Hi, I'm Wendy, come tell me your life story, start with the terrible bits."
Ooh, captain has just updated us, we have a leaking seal on an actuator in the hydraulics, they are going to change the seal, and see what happens.. If that doesn't work, we may need to order a new part. Hmm, is there 24 hour delivery to Brisbane International from Seals R Us? Where do actuator seals for bloody big aircraft come from? Is this a stocked part? Who knows? And so we sit. And wait.
Our connecting flight, Dubai to Dublin has a 2 hour wait, so perhaps they will hold the next flight for us if we are running a little late - if not, we may end up in a gold encrusted hotel in Dubai, courtesy of Emirates.. Doesn't the Sultan of Something own Emirates? Maybe we will end up hanging out at his palace for the evening just to apologise for the inconvenience... Hey, stranger things have happened. We can live in hope.
So here we sit, snuggled up under our blankies, Me, Hugo and Jimmy, waiting to see what happens.
All I can think of is "you can plan a journey as much as you like, but it's the things out of your control, that make it memorable"
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