Day 5 (Perth) - Friday 23rd September 2016

Managed to just about get up in time to attend my nephews' school assembly. Youngest nephew's class was taking the assembly, and they all dressed up in costumes from around the world (so cute!). Youngest nephew also received a merit certificate for 'Getting-A-Long'. He was too shy to collect the certificate himself, so Daddy and Little Sis had to help out.

Later, walked alongside Sorrento Beach - very, very breezy (though you wouldn't think it to look at the photo!). This beach is just a stone's throw (or two) from my sister's rented house.

Sorrento Beach

Day 4 (Perth) - Thursday 22nd September 2016

Duncraig library

A visit to a library wasn't on my radar when I envisioned my time in Perth, but I certainly wasn't going to pass up the opportunity today! Whilst my niece and sister attended story time, I checked out nine books on my sister's library ticket. (And, yeah, I've already finished one of the books! 😁)

Day 3 (Perth) - Wednesday 21st September 2016

Well-behaved nephews & niece

I arrived safely (despite my sister's attempts to get us lost on the drive back to her house from the airport. It was around 2am though, so I'll make allowances!).

After waking up at a reasonable time (for a sleep-deprived person. 10.30am, if you really want to know), I spent a chilled-out day at home. Lunch was a leisurely affair at the poolside with the sun out and not a cloud in the blue sky. And this is supposed to be the tail end of their winter?!

Not so well-behaved nephews & niece

Day 2 (Dubai) -Tuesday 20th September 2016

I was the envy of Economy Class on the first stage of my journey. Despite a very full plane from Heathrow to Dubai, I had a whole row all to myself. You bet I stretched out along all three seats! Same thing happened on the longer leg of the journey from Dubai to Perth - result! 😀

Dubai airport

Day 1 (Heathrow) - Monday 19th September 2016

And so my adventures begin!

As Dad couldn't drop me off, a very kind couple from my church took me down to the coach station in plenty of time to catch my coach (thanks, Paul and Lindsay!).

Mum accompanied us (mostly to make sure they really were getting rid of me for eight weeks). I think she might've rolled her eyes when I popped into Greggs for a baguette for my tea (I'm not going to have another one for aaaages - I'm going to suffer withdrawal symptoms!). I managed to snag the last tuna crunch one on the shelves - hoorah!

The coach was a little  late in arriving, and we didn't leave until just gone 4.15pm. Due to the rush hour traffic, we arrived later than scheduled at Heathrow, not getting in until 6.30pm.

I've checked my suitcase in and have cleared security. I'm now holed up in the multi-faith prayer room, waiting for the first leg of my flight to commence. It smells of feet in here.

Sign in bathroom near prayer room

One day to go!

One day to go, and I've nearly finished my packing. Thought I'd try writing a blog post on my Kindle as a trial run. Seems to work!

Here's a handy tip I picked up - pack your things in Ziploc bags, and you'll fit more in your suitcase once you've squeezed the air out!

The travel necessities

My holiday is getting scarily close now; I picked up my travel documents at the weekend from the travel agents. I've also got travel sickness tablets for the flights (& potential boat journeys), as well as some delicious hard-boiled sweets for take-off (must resist eating them all beforehand!).

One week to go - yikes!