
Just across the street from the Crocodile Caravan Park was art work by John Murray..a Lightning Ridge native artist.
For some reason I have been very anxious about this year’s solo trip to Oz. Sure the planning is fun…I’ve always enjoyed pouring over maps, looking through Google Maps and making the plane connections. Some might think I’m a bit off. But what really gives me the shakes are fighting traffic in Sydney with an unfamiliar left drive RV. And once out of Sydney it’s not over…there are narrow roads, more traffic and sharp turns to be navigated over the Blue Mountains. Once passed that it’s clear sailing to my first nights stop: Wellington…a quaint small town of 4500 on the quiet, slow moving Macquarie River resplendent with the raucous, yet beautiful, rose breasted cockatoo or “gallah”…my favorite bird in Australia.
Left Billings on time in a spanking new Airbus A320. Strangely enough the plane was only partially full…reminds me of the good old days of flying. Along with a bit of turbulence we arrived early into Denver International Airport 10 minutes early. Located my next gate to San Francisco International Airport and strolled to Pour La France in the United Terminal. Pour La France is an actual sit down restaurant with great table service, exceptional coffee and very good food. It’s a relaxing get away from the busy, noisy airport atmosphere. Had my usual fare Coq Au Vin that was just as good as the last time I was here. My next flight to SFO leaves DIA at 6:04 and arrives at 7:50 (1 hour time shift).
Arrived in SFO on time and had a lengthy wait until Qantas flight 74 left at 11:25PM. Bit of turbulence and got about 5 hours sleep during the flight. A dinner meal was served soon after take off and a hot breakfast was served not long before arrival in Sydney: Mushroom/egg scramble, hash brown potatoes, sausage, yogurt and muffin. Even was able to snag a couple cups of coffee served from a coffee press. Most of the small RV’s (or campervans in OZ) have presses for making coffee and I’ve come to enjoy coffee at home this way as well. Actual flight time is 14 hours and 35 minutes.