Day 53 - Saturday 27 Feb

We stood the airbed up against the wall as usual, the only difference this time was the next time we went to bed it would be our own.

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang

It was Saturday, our final day. We were sad.

Today promised to be busy though, lots of visitors and stuff.
Lunch was to be a bbq mastered by that renowned Australian barbyneur Trev Sir Loin. Head of Salads, Nicole Pearcesnip and all round muncher Nick Three Bellies In attendance.

Sirloin or Australian Porterhouse steaks along with three or four varieties of sausage, including Polish Kransky, Jacks favourite, were on the menu. A salad featuring mixed leaves, feta, cucumber, tomato and roasted pine nuts accompanied the carnivores feast.

Appetites sated, we sat around discussing topical issues, predominantly immigration and demography. Jack is well read on these matters and it’s very interesting to hear his take on things, same as my own actually.

Debbie is Trevors’ sister, and today she is a year older than she was yesterday.
Seems to be a tradition down here to have your birthday cake somewhere other than your party place. It’s a nice way to share your day with more people.

Today our dear new friends Jack (Immigration dept) and Thelma, Trev and Debbies’ parents are over to share the cake.

Obviously after we munch our way through the barby.

Debbies three children although hardly little anymore where here to help with eating the cake. Huddo and Yvonne, childhood friends, and Max and Jack their children are here also.

It was enjoyable to have a bit of social intercourse with the family. All the same, yet all so different.

Debbie is a peach.

Expressive by gesture and tone, the mark of a legendary thespian.

Don’t you know?

Without doubt, one of the most interesting people we met on our travels.

Oh well.

All good things come to an end.

We’d some travelling to do.

Our bags had been packed earlier as a joint effort. Weight distributed evenly, fragile things well wrapped and hidden among clothing. Patches, both for eyes and arms, medications, sleeping tablets, all the accoutrements we’d need. All safely in hand luggage for the twenty six hours of travel.

I’m feeling a sense of relief to be going home.

We left a little early for the airport. It would give Nicola and Trevor a chance to catch up with the party goers at Debbies birthday bash.

Farewells made, kisses kissed we bade the pair goodbye. If I’ve learned one thing in my life it’s this. And I should try to make it into some profound saying.

Never watch your loved ones disappear, instead look forward to being with them again.

Hey that’s not bad. Says it all.

Nicola and Trevor went partying, we went duty freeing.

God I hate airports.

Our flight was called. On our way.

We ascended into the night sky. “Oh dear” I thought. “Trapped in this tin can for fourteen and a half hours. Divine”

Will I get any sleep? No!

When the attendants came round with water, drink, food, whatever, I took it. I tried to see how long it would take to do something. Whether it drink a beer, eat dinner, whatever.

Sometimes I timed it in minutes and other times in distance travelled. To make life more interesting, I even alternated between measuring in metric and imperial!

The fasten seatbelt sign came on a few times. The driver announced it would get a bit bumpy. More of those potholes I believe.

It never did though, get bumpy I mean.

Flying is not a problem for me. I enjoy being up in the air.

Don’t forget, you can’t get hurt up there, it’s only the contact with the ground or water does the hurting bit.

Look.
Try this.
Slap the air with just one hand.
There, did that hurt?
Try it again even harder.
Well?

Now try slapping the desk the same way.
See.
Physics.

The plane was coming in to land at Abu Dhabi.

Margaret had been sleeping on and off. Not a bad thing. At least her form would’nt be too bad while we went through the rigmarole of immigration (Where’s Jack?), duty free again and the smoking room, which we know is here from our previous visit.