Our Turkish Airlines leg was different, but good. A big feature is made of the food, with a chef in his big hat running up and down the aisles. Melbourne immigration was easy, and to our surprise the bags had made the connection. Qantas then really dropped the ball by putting us up at the Melbourne Airport Mantra. With a $60 food voucher we thought things were set, but the kitchen closed just as we arrived, there was no room service and they wouldn’t even turn the coffee machine on for us. The room was very tired, so overall it’s definitely not recommended. To negate this we elected to get out early, check in at the airport and have breakfast in the Qantas Lounge.

It’s a short hop over Bass Strait to Lonnie, with the cold being a bit of a shock as we waited for our pickup. But Cooper and Rosie gave us a warm welcome being super excited to see us again, a great job being done by our house sitters. It will be good to sleep in our own bed again.

So until the next time, Cheers from Tasotter

And another post……

Our departure from Baku was more organised than our arrival, with check in facilitated by a Qantas staff member flown in, together with the all important engineer to certify our engine.

There was an interesting range of lunch options, which we had been encouraged to eat, along with a hearty breakfast as there was no food restocking available for the next leg.

Our flight was due to take off at 4:30, but as boarding commenced just after 3pm it was never going to be met as we had to board by mobile stairs……really reinforcing what a big aircraft the 380 is.

At 6.30 we started to roll, with a big cheer as we left the ground. However a late departure was placing our onboard flight, a Singapore Airlines in Premium Economy, in jeopardy. The same crew was onboard, and listened to our stories in disbelief, but could see how we had all pulled together. The good news was the lady who had had a heart attack was doing OK and in hospital with her husband. We enjoyed the peanuts and drinks provided, but only dozed a bit with staff frequently checking in on us.

As we landed, with another cheer, we were informed that the Singapore Airlines flight could not be made……as I thought when checking my mail and finding a reservation for a Melbourne Airport hotel…..

Preceding to Transfer C we were given an option of staying in Singapore all day, catching the Qantas overnight flight to Melbourne and flying to Lonnie OR flying Turkish Airlines to Melbourne, Business Class, overnighting in Melbourne and flying to Lonnie the next day…..which is what we choose…..we’ve had enough nights onboard planes thank you.

There was time to get a quick shower and brekkie in the Qantas Club before making our way to the departure lounge. Of course our flight has been delayed 2.5 hours……we wouldn’t expect anything else ! At the moment we hope to get in on Thursday morning, after leaving London on Sunday….but there’s plenty of opportunities for the saga to continue….wish us luck !

So time for another post ? Not really, an enforced layover…

Leaving London we were just about to enter Afghanistan airspace when we turned around, and were informed a passenger had a serious medical issue, later learnt to be a heart attack. Luckily we had 18 doctors onboard ! so turned around and flew back for 1.5 hrs. After landing the patient was stretchered off, and then we were informed of an engine fault !

After sitting onboard for 2 hours, and having breakfast served, we de planned in groups and queued for a security check. We were then informed we all needed a visa, to be completed online, which involved uploading a photo of your passport. This took ages using the slow airport wifi, no Telstra here, and then a further wait for it to be issued.

It took just over 3 hours for this to be issued and emailed back. Then another queue to collect baggage, and another for immigration. Total time 6 hours…….It was amazing when the first visa’s started appearing…..cheers as if you’d won bingo. We certainly bonded over it with everybody helping each other out.

Of course after we got to the hotel……yes a long queue to check in

We are unsure when we are getting home, and have arranged our pet sitters to stay on until we do. This has necessitated them cancelling flights with no refund, so hopefully Qantas will pick up the cost, plus hotel, dinner, breakfast….etc. it’s going to be an expensive diversion for them

After a bit of rain we woke to grey skies again, at least it wasn’t pouring ! After changing the bed linen we idled downstream.

Numerous sleepy geese with crèches of goslings honked away, the Canada Geese have such a distinctive sound.

We seem to have found ourselves moored outside the New Inn at Send…so had a celebratory lunch, Scampi and Peas my favourite.

Poor Hazel has a very sore top lip, taking her coat off at Wisley yesterday she forgot about the camera around her neck…ouch.

After talking to a fellow Leica camera enthusiast, and exchanging emails, we completed the final run back to the Marina.

We are all tied up now. Power has been restored so everything can be charged up and the final load of laundry is on. Tomorrow we will finish packing, put the winter mooring ropes on and say our goodbyes. It’s been a wonderful 5 weeks, we’ve seen a lot of sights but are looking forward to getting home and seeing family and friends, not least of all 2 little dogos. Till next time, bye all.

We are moored up just downstream of Triggs Lock, I’ll try and put a few pics of our walk around Wisley today.

After a quick coffee we wandered towards the rose gardens, passing plenty of Cornus, covered in flowers.

The roses were spectacular, so many varieties and styles

Wandering past Hilltop, where my old glasshouses stood, is always nostalgic. There are no signs left of them now, just memories, but good ones at that.

Hilltops gardens are maturing nicely, very imaginative planting and friendly water fowl appreciating the ponds. Onto Battlestone Hill, the first area I worked in, and still a few Rhodo’s in flower.

Then walking to “My” gum trees to give them a hug….which I had planted 49 years ago ! Onto the Fairy Dell, looking like Tassie now

and then back down to the Alpine House, Rock garden and glasshouse after some lunch.

Of course we had to go into the Orchid house first…

Then into the main glasshouse, with the stunning Jade Vine

Time to head back to Cartbridge Marina, but not before tormenting myself in plant sales !

Back at the Marina the power situation had got worse…none available ! With a little bit begging the sparkie restored single phase to the main shed, allowing us to get up to date with the laundry. Being such a nice evening we’ve gone upstream to the first lock and have moored in the meadows. Tomorrow we will have lunch at the New Inn at Send and probably return to the marina…..“Finished with Engines”😢…we fly home on Sunday.

Yes we had a lot of rain last night and this morning so it was a slow start. Good thing we’ve got plenty of reading material.

The rain turned to drizzle, so we pushed off eager to get back to Cartbridge Marina before more arrived.

What a contrast to a couple of days ago, but the water meadows are always interesting to go thru, being the true river rather than a canalised section. There’s always abundant waterfowl here.

There was a National Trust employee at Newark Lock, who helped us, much appreciated by Hazel. Approaching Triggs the rain started, but the NT work boat Swallow appeared so we went through together. There is a lot of bank reinforcement being carried on, the Wey is obviously in good hands.

Approaching Cartbridge Basin from downstream we always pass an unloved Sea Otter on a home mooring. It’s gradually being surrounded by reeds, so sad to see a once lovely boat going downhill. Just as we enter the Marina the heavens open and we get soaked, we just needed another 5 minutes. To make matters worse there is no shoreline power, hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow or our fridge will run the house battery down.

With clearer skies this morning we headed back onto the River Wey, but first Thames Lock. It’s unusual in having an additional lower pound to lift you over the cill when the Thames is low. It’s also the only manned lock on the Wey, run efficiently by Tracey.

Checking the weather forecast rain is due this afternoon, time to crack on..BUT..every lock is set against us, next Town then Coxes.

We do a quick shop at New Haw Lock, luckily we can share this time, making things considerably easier for Hazel. After a long pound we call into Pyrford Marina to top up the diesel and get a replacement Calor Gas bottle……yikes that’s £80 !

Passing thru Pyrford Lock then the ever open Walsham Gates, only used in floods, to find our old T42 favourite spot for jet lag recovery vacant. Perfect timing, after an hour the rain starts !

This morning saw a complete change in weather from yesterday. Cloud, very windy and blowing thru rain we held off moving until after morning tea when the rain abated somewhat. Penny started first, heading upstream to Shepperton Lock, and ultimately getting to Staines Upon Thames.

With the poor weather we decided to go downstream, but it was soon evident that locking could be a challenge, so called upon our friend Sue at Walton Marina to say hi and see what the weather would do after lunch. It was great to catch up with somebody from our T42 and Pyrford Marina days.

After lunch onboard the weather hadn’t improved much so we decided to head back to the Wey, and possibly the Anchor Inn

After 10 minutes the drizzle turned into showers, then heavy rain. Time for the waterproofs as H retreated into the cabin. Turning into the Wey, Thames and Shepperton junction I spied a 40’ long 24 hour free mooring….which we quickly occupied ! The rain continued on and off all afternoon, with the sun finally emerging as I write this blog at 7pm. We will lock up the Wey tomorrow, with a few services and shopping required.

Penny onboard Iris, a 26’ Sea Otter, led the way this morning, downstream heading to the Thames. It was another sunny day with a cool breeze, but sufficient to slip slop slap the sunscreen.

It’s always good company to travel with a fellow boater, especially somebody like Penny who had been on the Wey and Thames since a child. She knows ever shop location and good mooring spots, as well as the latest river rumours.

But after the first lock we catch up with our nemesis from a few days ago, a 70’ wide beam who only just fits in the locks and has to slow right down negotiating corners or any other long boats. Rather than trail in his wake we pull over at New Haw Lock for provisions and lunch.

By then another boat joins us….so we travel downstream as a group of 3 to minimise water usage.

Approaching Thames Lock, where the Wey joins the Thames, we see the widebeam finally entering its natural habitat. Looking back the entrance to the Wey is hardly visible.

It’s a broad stretch of river with numerous islands and channels but Penny leads the way to the back of Desborough Island and Lady Lindsey’s Lawn, a mooring we’ve often used before.

Penny treats us to a BBQ dinner as we celebrate our journey and friendship. Tomorrow she is heading upstream to Pangbourne, we will go downstream to Hampton Court. Our time is limited this year and we cannot afford to be stuck behind broken locks.

We’ve had a good day returning to the Marina, the cooler conditions are more pleasant when standing at the tiller all day.

The first lock was set for us, but not so for the next three….

We called into Dapdune Wharf, head of the Wey Navigations Office, to use the services and exchange some books at the bookstore there. We always find something to read here !

We picked up a travelling companion over the next couple of locks, we always zipped ahead but had to set the lock, so they always caught up a la Tortoise and Hare

There is a nice shady spot near the New Inn at Send where we pull in for lunch and sample some of our new books for an hour or so. Then onto High Bridge for milk and tonic, and back into the Marina. We catch up with Penny and Mark for G&T’s and plan tomorrow’s cruise down onto the Thames together with Iris. We will then decide if it’s downstream to Hampton Court or follow Penny upstream for a while depending upon how we feel. A few of the Thames Locks are having problems and we don’t want to get caught out, as this time next week we’re Australia bound !