Recharging

Well, I've been off having a little recharge and as the only technology I took with me was my phone, blogging was out. That explains one week of my missing time but not the rest. Who knows what went on there. Life I guess.

 

I like to assume that I am the introverted type. I am mostly happy in my own quietness and company when it comes to relaxing and recouping. However I do also sometimes find time around others helps recharge me as well, especially when it involves banter and playfulness and knowing that there is friendship and love. That fun and noisyness is what I've been getting from my week away, gatecrashing my family's annual beach holiday. I loved every minute of it; the debating, the loudness, the card games, the chatting, the games, the craziness ... just all of it. I was ready for some down time though after the full on-ness of having family staying as neighbours in three units. Although after being home a night I could have happily jumped in for more. Unfortunately there is work to attend.

Luckily for you, the time away gave me photo fodder so I'll be sharing a bit of that in the future. Keeping the mystery, keeping the mystery.

So now I am just going to sit here and mark of the seconds, minutes, hours and days until some of the family come to visit me. Not really, although I do know how many weeks.

Up High ... Again

I've been up in the air again, as if you can't tell by the photos.

I was heading back south again, to Brisbane for the weekend. 

Actually, I was in luck before we took off, and was able to see the Royal Flying Doctors Service plane waiting to take off. 

I hope things weren't too bad at the other end of their trip.

Take off was awesome, with such a great view of the area.

The patchwork of sugar cane fields in different states of growth and harvest was split by roads and creeks.

Before I left home the weather was telling me it was about 30 degrees C with 77% humidity. It was horrid so I was hoping Brisbane didn't have it's humid coat on too. It did, by the way although on walking outside I noticed the lower humidity, it was definitely cooler than what we took off in. 

As we turned we left the land behind and headed over the ocean. I am pretty sure the other side of the plane go a good view of the coast.

Where I got an amazing view of the ocean and Great Barrier Reef. I purposely chose the left hand side of the plane for that reason.

The clouds worked in my favour, enhancing rather than hindering the view.

 

Now I don't really like the catching the taxi to the airport bit, more because of the booking system and not getting a confirmation that they will be there until they are just up the street than the actual taxi. What I do love is the flying part. I decided though that I wouldn't do well as a pilot or hostess because I'd just want to look at the view.

Green Island

 Looking out the window all the time, although it keeps me occupied when travelling, isn't the best activity for paying attention to what is happening around you.

 

I'm not sure what the man next to me thought, actually I don't care what he thought. Speaking of row buddies, I swear that economy has gotten even more economic with space.

Yarrabah

 Ah well, I kept my elbows to myself while I clicked away. I don't think I did well keeping my oohs and ahhs and wows to myself, but he had headphones on anyway.

The mainland and Fitzroy Island

 As we left the mainland behind we got a closer view of the reef.

Individual reefs stood out in the blue waters.

As I could only see what was through my two windows (I was between two) it was always a bit of a surprise to see what came next.

In some places I could see multipul reefs spreading out in a line, a section of the Great Barrier Reef.

I think this is the best view I've had of the reef from the air. I'd love to see it all the time but that many flights wouldn't go well in any budget. Mr Sparky should go and finish his pilot licence so I can put him and it into good use.

I really do love a good 'birds eye view' of the landscape. Everything looks amazing from up high, even the imperfections.

I'm thinking one of these might need to be blown up for the wall. Time for a photo change in the frames on the wall or maybe a new frame is needed or a canvas for something different. 

My trip back in after a weekend in Brisbane at a meeting for Lone Guides (as in Girl Guides) didn't have this view. Well I am sure it was still there but you can't see it in the dark. Wouldn't it be cool if the reef went all glow in the dark.

On the way back we got the lights though, those that you could see between clouds. The pilot very nicely did a change in flight path to avoid the storms and give us a smooth flight.

The flight down though was nice a smooth and even when there were lots of clouds they were awesome to fly above and between, changing constantly.

Watching the reef from above reminds me that I need to go out and see some more, well some more other than Green Island as that is all I have seen.

Close up or from above, the reef really is spectacular.

So today, back in Cairns, it welcomed me back with a huge hit of energy sucking humidity until a bit of rain came along and broke it. Then it built again and suddenly turned down with the clouds clearing.

I guess our build to storm and wet season has begun. We knew it would hit one day.

The first of November was the official beginning of the Cyclone season after all. They are predicting four this season. I wonder how that will go. Time to clean out the pantry and check I've got a few bits of tinned food. Going by the overfilled look the pantry has, I am pretty sure it'll be right.

The vibrant colours of the reef gave way to interesting clouds as we went further north. And let me tell you I took just as many photos of them.

How was your weekend?

Ever fly somewhere just for the weekend?

Winging It

I've done it again, been back in the air.

This time it was back north again.

Take off was awesome, giving us the scenic view of Brisbane.

I had chosen a window seat and the one next to it for us and it was a very 'light' flight with plenty of seats spare.

A couple who had scored exit row seats didn't want them so we were asked to swap. We did, quite happily. Who would say no to extra leg room?

It did mean however, that Mr Sparky who didn't want the window seat snavelled it. Guess he kind of did want it.

Breakfast and a movie and I was a happy camper.

Mr Sparky was just as content with his screen showing where the plane was along with altitude, speed and outside temperature (and his little nap).

After leaving the sunny southern parts of the state we came in to land in a rather soggy looking north.

I guess the wet arrived while we were away.

It turns out that over the last weekend the area has gotten 300-400mm of rain and it still is raining on and off with more big falls predicted for later in the week.

I don't mind though, it was needed.

After an airport drama, waiting for them to figure out what was setting off an alarm we finally got to collect our soggy luggage and head home.

Home was still there with our yard looking a bit drowned. Mr Sparky was pretty happy to be back in our own space. I was already wanting to head back south yet wanting to stay and find waterfalls.

In super good news, despite the outside of our bags being soggy, the inside was mostly dry. Thank goodness for plastic lined bags but could someone please invent water proof zips for luggage.