Monday 20th March 2023

 Monday 20^th March

SHE SAID:

It was a hassle-free trip to Perth Airport to drop Geoff off for his 10-day trip to the east.

After leaving Geoff I had a short stroll along Cottesloe Beach checking out the final day of the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition that is held there every year. The temperature was creeping up to 37C there, so I didn’t linger! 

I was back to Leschenault by 2.40pm.

Geoff eventually got to his brother’s place in Lawson NSW about 11pm. There was a complete stuff up with the car hire & he ended up catching the slow train to the mountains. Anyhow, they sent a happy snap, so all was well in the end!

The always scenic views around Cottesloe Beach

Sculptures by the Sea

A giant frog on the General Store...
I'm not sure if it is there permanently!

HE SAID:

After saying farewell to Varena all was well until I landed in Sydney, around 8:25pm, where I received a text message to say that the off-airport hire car office closes at 8:30pm and if I am not there by 8:45 they are going home. The plane was still taxiing to the terminal at this stage! 

Angry and confused I rang them and was told that my pre-arranged shuttle to the hire cars had finished for the night, so I would need to catch a taxi, but if I was not at their office by 8:45 they are leaving. This from a company operating at Australia's biggest airport, in Australia's biggest city. They had 10 weeks to advise me of this and I found out at the last second.

Anyway, I told them to cancel the whole lot. There was no way I was going to get myself up to Mick's in Lawson tonight, only to get back to the airport tomorrow to get the hire car. Then drive back to Lawson.

My attempts to get another hire car were fruitless, with either my calls not answered, no cars available, or $1500+ for 9 days hire. Total rip-off! So, I caught the train to Mick's instead, only making the train to Central by about 20 seconds, and the Blue Mountains train by 2 seconds. Luckily the guard saw me coming.

So, after the flight, then the stress of the hire car debacle, it was great to see Mick and Jac again, see the finished product of their renovations, and have a couple of drinks, some nibbles, and a chat.