Plaaaaan

The largest extended family trip yet. Twelve of us. My family of four, my parents and my two brothers parties of three; with wives and young ones.
It feels like more stress, thought, drama, planning and incident has gone into this trip than our 7.5month duo adventure many years ago.
The packing took an eternity too, it felt like it took days, and a miracle we ushered it all into the car and to the airport. Three jumbo bags, two wheelies and a duffel, totalling around 70kg.. two single prams, three backpacks and a lightning mcqueen pullalong...
The kids both love airports already. Its "Plaaaaan" from Axel and "whats that one whats that one" from Ryland.
Aboard the little Virgin Australia plane, we had four adjacent seats in rows of three. From left to right; Ryland on the window, me in the middle, Axel aisle right and Nat aisle left.
Next to the comfort of dad, Ryland lovvvved the flight from boarding, to take off and landing, never deterred by bells, beeps, rumbling or turbulence.
Axel enjoyed his own seat, being 2 days past his second birthday.. he was mostly cooperative whilst occupied, except wanting cuddles from mum on the landing and falling asleep just before that occured.
An on time flight and easy bag collection, led to our first major challenge... moving those bags, and kids, without a trolley.
First, the reminder of our mandatory relationship with lifts... and ramps.. a theme that would resound throughout the trip..
Rolling a giant duffelbag on top of two wheelie bags makes a fine, movable 70kg bundle of fun, so long as youre on a "pure-level" surface, without crowds, or obstructions, going in a straight line, on a sealed surface, with no cracks, distractions, bumps, drains, dirt, wind, air movement or insects and you maintain a precise amount of momentum.
Two collapses en route to the Sydney bound train was a decent effort. Once we clogged a carriage and scrambled with relative grace and dignity off at Circular Quay, we were just "six minutes" walk from rest and relaxtion at The Sebel West Quay hotel. Six plus... minutes, 1-10 bag collapses and 1-3 good Samaritans overcome with pity later, we made it, a little ragged and soaked.
We were grateful for a lovely upgraded apartment with great views of the harbour bridge.
We had time for a breather before catching up with an old friend of mine at Pancakes on the rocks for dinner.
We're almost off now. A challenging but rewarding day behind us.
Ryland was remarkably well behaved. Axel had a bit of a Jekyl and Hyde day, as is his style between adorable charm, and screaming frustration at not getting it his way.
Its all downhill from hotel to ship tomorrow! What could go wrong?Lue lisää