Sunset above the clouds

Ooops, I've run away on you again. Did you miss me? 

I had grand plans for a bit of blogging while I was away down south for a week. Well, that didn't happen. In fact just about the only thing I got the laptop out for was to take photos off my camera. That really was a good thing though. It meant that I was spending time enjoying the company of people, of my people, rather than having my head stuffed inside technology.

I've just had a week away down south with family. I headed down for a bit to be a carer for my brother for the weekend and it fitted in so nicely with my work roster that I was able to stretch it to a week.

Cairns City

On the way down, I flew into Brisbane, and for something really unusual I flew in the late afternoon. Do you know what that means? The sunset (and sunrise) obsessed me got to watch the sun set above the clouds.

Now I am pretty sure my non blind shutting habits annoy those sitting beside me but do you know what, I don't really care, because watching the sky change really is something and enjoying it is my relaxation thing. I really do try my hardest to get others to enjoy it with me, some are rather forced into it.

We took off on a bit of a rainy Cairns afternoon and it seemed to be a bit overcast and grey the whole way south.

The clouds were interesting though, once we rose above them, especially when the light started to change.

Unfortunately it seems that windows aren't something that gets cleaned much so mine was a little smudgy. My request to all airlines is to clean their windows ... a lot. Especially for me, you know.

As the sun sank lower the world above turned orange-ish.

You may think that all I do is stare out the window but I did attempt to watch a movie on the Virgin Australia app. What that really means is I watched a movie in subtitles because I've never been able to get that app to play sound on my phone. I guess my phone isn't smart enough for them. My phone is smart enough for me though, too smart sometimes like when it does whatever it wants to do. That reminds me, I think I should communicate that to them. I kept getting side tracked by the sky so I never finished the movie.

I always pack stuff to do on the plane like a book to read, music and usually a puzzle book too. So many times I've flown and these items barely see the light. Again, the view out the window is to blame.

The food also interrupts me. By the way, what is with the shoddy food and beverage service. I swear it is getting worse. This time we managed to get a drink of water, juice, tea or coffee and one teeny tiny sweet biscuit. I also didn't receive it until the plane had started slowly descending. By then it was dinner time, honestly. What happened to the days of an actual meal and copious drinks?

Well that was my little rant. Mind you, I am sure others would agree.

I spent most of the flight in quiet viewing. My seat partners were pretty quiet. That's right, they were Chinese, I forgot that. Anyway they were quiet and pretty intent on sleeping the flight away. It was fine by me, I was pretty intent on capturing a sunset. Actually the flight had a large percentage of Chinese on it so I guess that means tourism is doing pretty well. I hope they enjoy their stay.

By the time we descended the light was gone. I think it lingered so long because of how far up we were.

I was met at the airport by a very happy Mum (I was pretty excited to see her too). We chatted our way back up to the Sunshine Coast where we were spending the weekend. Really hard location for carer duty, don't you think.

Just for interests sake, I did a little labeling on one of the photos I took.

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?