Getting back.

So...our long journey back to Frogknot started when Mum and Dad dropped us off at the station at Carlisle.The train was already waiting on the platform as there had been problems with overhead wires near Beattock and so rather than coming from Glasgow Central it  was starting in Carlisle. The correct departure time came and went and eventually we left 25 minutes late due to signalling problems south of Carlisle.The delay meant that we missed out connection for the train to the airport at Preston and so we got on a train heading for Buxton and got off at Manchester Piccadilly.The train paused by this magnificent piece of Artwork near Manchester Piccadilly Station.We caught a train from Piccadilly to the airport and arrived just before 6.00 pm.

The sky from the train.

Check in passed without hitch and we headed to Security Screening. I put my hand luggage in a tray and had to pass through one of their X-Ray machines. On the other side I couldn't find my bag and thought it had been stolen but discovered it had been removed for further inspection.A woman with rubber gloves on placed my bag on the counter between us."Oh, I thought it had been stolen" I said." Sir, there are more cameras here than Big Brother. There is no way anything can be stolen from here." She smiled, "Is this your bag Sir?""Yes" I said."Did you pack it yourself Sir?""Yes" I said."And could somebody have placed something else in it or asked you to carry something else in it for them?""No" I said.Her smile faded."Oh dear, Sir, well what have we in here that we shouldn't have?""My Ipad?"...everything suddenly clicked."Yes Sir. Please take it out Sir. I am sorry but we will have to put all this back through."She took my bag away with the Ipad placed on top of it.I went back to the belt with the trays on and waited for it to come through again. Eventually the bag came through but with no Ipad. Again I thought it had been stolen!...but it followed on it's own tray.The woman in rubber gloves was inspecting someone elses bag as I passed.I leaned over and said "Heck, I thought my Ipad had been stolen then when it wasn't on top of my bag."She just rolled her eyes.Happily our time at the airport passed very quickly with us having dinner at 'Giraffe' before heading to the gate and as we were in Zone C on the plane we boarded quickly after the 'rich folks'.A large family group from the Middle East were sat behind us with a screaming child. We put our headphones on and started watching a film to drown out the noise."Ready for Take Off"...the film soundtrack was interrupted by a loud, deep rasping voice."Heck! That sounded like Satan!" I said a little too loudly because of the headphones. Will dissolved into giggles.The child behind us cried for most of the flight but I watched three films Disney's 'Moana', 'Dancer' and 'Jackie'.

We arrived in Brisbane on time and passed quickly through Immigration but as I had brought some Dry Roasted Peanuts with me I had to declare them. We were directed to the 'Something to Declare' line and were made to stand on a green line and place our bags on the line next to us before a woman released a dog that went up and down the line sniffing our bags... and us. We passed the 'Dog Test' and headed out to catch  a train to the City.We got off the train at South Bank and caught a bus to Holland Park. How different buses are here. Do you know everyone who got off the bus, including young people thanked the driver..... politely?!We found Roxy outside Ros's house but the battery was flat. Luckily she was parked on a slope so Will was able to jump start her and we headed straight home to Frogknot.We were originally intending to stay in Brisbane until Sunday as we are seeing a play on Saturday but earlier this week I have been asked to teach at Stanthorpe on Friday. They have also asked if I am interested in taking the same class for two days a week in the next term. I have reserved judgement until after Friday to see how I like them but two days a week would be good for 10 weeks.We will see.