One Week Later...

I was so darned organised.

Packing en pointe. Carry on with absolutely required items only (still weighs a doggarned tonne). Tickets and passports and things needed to get in easily accessible nooks and crannies.

I had even checked-in online on time. Made sure that Paris had the window seat and me next to her all flights.

We got a great park at the airport and mother-in-law and V primed to wave farewells.

And then?

The booking card for Paris was mine printed twice. I showed Paris that it wasn't technically pushing in if we used the priority desk for a little Snafu of the airline's own making - and bonus, it gave the clerk a little one-upmanship leverage in workplace politics. Win.

Then we boarded. Word to the wise - apparently row 15 doesn't have a window. So struck out there.

Got to our connection city and going through the international connection gate had a problem with our  boarding passes AGAIN. It kept saying wrong date - so the lady did a manual override swipe and we entered the realm that was to be ours for the next 6 hours.

We connected to the airport wifi and made calls then went to see what was on offer for dinner on our way to scout the gate - but no flight, no gate and no clue what was going on.

 

Finally someone (hint, it wasn't me) had the bright idea to check the app - and there was advised second leg of flight was delayed by 10 hours.  On the upside, the airline put us up in a hotel and gave us some food vouchers - for inside the terminal, not at hotel. However, as Paris really wanted to shout us Chipotle's via Uber Eats we ate well. The beds were very soft and the pillows were way too fluffy. Luckily I had a spare shirt for the hot/cold changes so something to sleep in but no spare underwear!

This meant that we would miss the connecting flight from Brisbane, so after an interminable time on hold (thank goodness it wasn't a genuine EMERGENCY) I eventually got onto travel agent's 24/7 emergency response person (TA247ERP) to change flights. Given logistics of flights and customs, the earliest realistic flight I could get on was the next day (Tuesday) which meant I would have to stay overnight.  The TA247ERP said this is the airline's issue - check in chick advised it was in their charter and, on seeing our documentation, confirmed we should be eligible and she would put a note on our file for someone to talk to us about procedure at other end. That didn't happen but she had said we could send in a claim.

Motel we stayed at had firm enough bed, free shuttle to airport in morning and A-MA-ZING room service. We also had our luggage, so fresh clothes. The apartment was right at the other end of the complex to the office and free shuttle and the bags heavy, but heck, people pay to go to the gym.

Arrived back in home town - friend who had car garaged at hers collected - in her car, as my car wouldn't start. RACQ advised battery stuffed - got new battery.

Collected cat - paid for extra night. Cat yelled at us all the way home.

Dropped off cat and daughter and collected groceries. On way up with groceries, noticed a large puddle beneath toilet/pipes. Rang plumber. Amazing plumber came and fixed perished rings in toilet and advised no heavy work for toilet for 24 hours.

Used downstairs toilet for heavy work - discovered that downstairs toilet has same issue plus probably more. Used bucket from laundry sink to flush. Noticed washer in laundry also buggered.

Meant to be back at work Wednesday - on middle of night escort of daughter to downstairs toilet (its scary down there) felt a migraine niggling - took some drugs but was still a complete write off until about 2pm so first day back a sick day - all evacuations either end required a walk downstairs, get bucket of water from laundry and complete. Noted how filthy toilet was. Also had to call Cancer Care and move appointment for 3 year check up - not a fun activity when jackhammers are in the brain and nausea is threatening. Daughter put on washing (hooray) and washing machine stopped at final rinse. I think that I have worked out it may be related to washer issue in laundry as I got it to work by specifying "tap cold" rather than "cold/cold" for water temperature.

Called plumber again - couldn't come out to Friday morning.

 

Back to work on Thursday - as developer was finishing up other projects I couldn't get lowdown on requirements for fixing any issues raised with me until Friday, so spent day sorting spotfires and writing lists for Friday meeting.

 

Plumber back - downstairs toilet not only has issue identified but also apparently a crack in the base - will send a quote for that (but fixed problem).  Laundry taps so bad required complete replacement also.  It seems that my next holiday budget will be labelled "maintenance".

 

I rarely blog when in "real life" due to the brain drain that work is (they do get value for money).

 

All extra hours this week (and this weekend ahead) is devoted to catching up on family, yardwork and housework - and zonking out early - then up early because apparently time is just a concept!

 

Awoke at 3:14 this morning (pi time!!) and brain when into whirr zone. Am hoping that all the things I envisage happening today when I couldn't get back to sleep do actually happen. 

 

So - how has your week treated you?