Sunday 16th October - Return Home

Time to leave – sadly.   With all the bags packed it was time to attempt to get all the luggage, wheelchair and walker into the boot of the wagon.  Amazingly they did manage with only one small bag on the back seat between Julie & Dave.   

Before leaving Noosa, we called around to the Benson’s to drop off all the left over food and items we had bought for our stay but could not take home.

We were booked on the 2.35pm flight from Brisbane, but wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to get to the airport and return the car to the rental depot.   

Once at the airport the boys dropped us and the luggage off, and headed off to return the rental car.  They had a bit of difficulty finding a Petrol Station open, but all in all they were back to the airport within the hour.

Somehow the return leg home is a bit of a drag, but strangely the time went fast once we checked in.   The wheelchair wouldn’t got into freewheel mode which meant the airport staff member had to use the joystick to wheel it down to the baggage area.  Interestingly he insisted on NOT dismantling it and having it put in its own container.

We had a bite to eat and then decided to head for customs and the departure gate.  We found seats at the gate, and barely a few minutes later we were called to report to the departure desk to board us!!   No waiting.    And before we knew it they were boarding all passengers.    We were allocated the same lovely seats 47 B & C by the toilets!   This time Pete took the window seat.   The plane was nearly full, but we managed to have the three seats to ourselves again.    

As we pulled away from the gate the Chief Purser thanked everyone for boarding quickly and announced it would be the quickest trip home possible followed by “I am sure you all know why – all I can say is Go The Blacks”  

True to this word we landed about 20 minutes early at 8.15pm!  And we made a quick trip through via the Duty Free pick up.   The shop assistance was working extremely fast, trying to get everyone through.    Customs was the same – speedy service as the clocked counted down to the start of the semi final game NZ versus Australia.    We got to baggage claim and found our bags, the chair and walker.  Once again the chair was missing the joystick cover!   This time we went straight to the customer services and complained.  The Staff were great.  While the CSO started the claim process she sent two of the baggage handlers off to find the container the chair was in and the cover.     Within a few minutes they returned with the cover – good result!

We turned around and there was hardly a sole left in the baggage claim area, the MAF staff were very disinterested and so we just headed straight for the exit and the car park.    We were in the car and Pete turned the engine on at 9pm just as the whistle was blown for the start of the game.  Needless to say there was very little traffic on the road home and it barely took us 20 mins!!  A record in anyone’s books.

For the record, the All Black beat Australia to go to the Finals where they played France and won by one point!

Home in time to watch most of the game – a great end to a lovely but short holiday!   Roll on Christmas…..