My alarm went off as scheduled at 4.30am, and I instinctively hit snooze, since 4.30 is not a natural time to be getting up for anyone, and if you want to debate it with me, then go and make me a cup of tea!
I did get up at 4.40 though, as I had to get the plane, it wasn't going to wait for me. I got my stuff out of the room and did the last bit of packing outside, so that I didn't disturb the three still sleeping there, and was out of hostel for 5.08am. It only took 5 minutes to get to the light rail station, but I found there was no way to purchase a ticket there. The train arrived on time, and I heaved my luggage on board, and got off at the central station.
Here I was able to buy a ticket, though I only bought the one from Central to the Airport. In doing so, I ended up leaving my bottle of water by the ticket machine, which I didn't notice until I reached the Airport.
Finding the right platform for the airport train was slightly tricky, but I did manage to get it just before it pulled away. While I was on this train, I had a sudden thought about what I had done with my Passport, unsure whether it was in an easy to access place or not, or indeed whether I had accidentally left it on the bed back in the hostel.
I got to the Airport OK, and reorganised my bag ready to put it in to the checked luggage loops, finding my passport easily enough, and so being able to check in at the automatic station.
I took the bag to the conveyor, and discovered that I was 2kg over allowance - I'm not quite sure how I managed that, it may have been with the cereal in addition to the fact that I had left the day bag on this time. I was prepared to remove the day bag but the person at the desk said it was fine, which was a pleasant surprise for me - definitely not what Ryanair or EasyJet wold have done!
Boarding was delayed, but everyone boarded with 5 minutes to spare anyway, so we were able to take off on time, and were ahead of schedule for landing. The trolley service came round during the flight, tuogh it being a budget airline, nothing was free. I decided not to buy anything, and when the trolley had gone by I checked the menu out of curiosity - a simple cup of tea would have cost me A$9.50 or £6.12, so I am glad I didn't even ask!
I met Jessica at the airport - 19 years after we first met online! We chatted about biosecurity and weather while I waited for my bags, then drove back to Chez Borton, where I met Watson and Zoey, and of course, Heath!
I immediately seized the opportunity to ort out the photo numbering issue that getting the new phone had created, and ended up making improvements to the photo album browser while I was at it.
The first order of business after that was to head to Smokey Joe's Creole Cafe in Launceston, where I was treated to an entree of Crocodile, followed by a delicious main dish of Boston Butt ribs (boneless ribs). I have to say it was pretty delicious, and getting to try crocodile was not something I had expected so soon!
We made it back to the house, and I finished tidying up the photos and uploading, then went to bed.