A Caravan with Wings

Travelling in a caravan does not appeal to me. When we were younger we took a couple of family holidays in a campervan; after those trips I decided that sleeping in a bed on wheels was not for me.

When we travelled around Southern Africa several years ago we hopped from place to place in a bedless caravan, the Cessna Caravan, a rather basic aircraft. While I am not fond of one engine aircraft this plane got us safely from destination to destination more comfortably and quickly than the on road in a 4WD vehicle.

Our Caravan in Botswana

On our recent trek across Arnhem Land it was a relief to travel our last leg from Seven Spirit Bay to Darwin in a Cessna Caravan after eleven days of travel in an Outback Spirit Truck.

The terminal at Seven Spirit Bay

The pilot (centre) and ground crew prepare for the flight

The Caravan is ready for boarding

Fluffy seat covers add to the comfort, aisles are narrow
and leg room is minimal

Happy Caravanners

The views from this low-flying Caravan are spectacular

In Anno Itinerantur - A is for Aeroplanes and Airports

In the past year since  travel opened up for Australians Robert and I have taken several journeys at home and overseas. 

While I posted many photos of these adventures on Facebook I want to leave a more permanent record of some of our adventures. This challenge provides me with opportunities to share my photos and stories while recording some personal history. 

I plan to share photos and stories from our travels between April 2022 and March 2023.  My theme this year is In Anno Itinerantur. 

Australia is a big country so when we are doing a short trip within a few hundred kilometres of we drive. We will often hire a rental car to explore destinations overseas. To travel further in Australia or reach an overseas destination or cruise ship we go by aeroplane. I took a look at my profile on MyFlightRadar to see when I had been in the air.

I found that I had taken 21 flights varying in distance from 753km (Brisbane to Sydney) to 14,524 (Heathrow to Perth). For the short flights we mostly ride up the back in Economy, for medium length or daytime flights we move up to Premium Economy and on the long haul journeys we treat ourselves in Business Class. 

My Flights - April 2022- March 2023 from MyFlightRadar

I find the check-in and security the most painful part of flying but keep saying "No pain, No Gain". I feel much safer when there are rigorous security checks.

We were in this long check-in queue in Norfolk Island airport - August 2022

After check-in, and when we have access, I will fortify myself with some bites and bubbly in an airport lounge. It's wonderful to wait in comfort especially when there are delays. I also take the opportunity to fill the empty water bottle I have in my carry-on.

Bubbly in Air New Zealand Lounge during a 2 hour delay - Sydney Airport 2023

I like to board early and settle into my seat.

Five family members settled in for JAL daytime flight to Tokyo

Although we've heard the safety briefing many times it's smart to read the safety card for each plane.

Japan Airlines - Tokyo to Haneda

It's fun when you can watch the take-off from your seat.

Ready for take-off in Dubai

When in a window seat taking some aerial photos gives one a different perspective on places we travel. 

Early morning return to Sydney - October 2022

Approaching Norfolk Island

While in the air I watch movies, read books and sleep. Sometimes I enjoy a meal and  on other occasions I reject. I usually take everything on offer so that I can select what appeals most. 

While this meal on JAL was quite acceptable the meal on our return journey was very poor 

As we approach our destination I pray that our bags appear and that there is a luggage trolley available to carry them to our onwards transport.

Just in case, we take photos of our bags so we can describe them if something goes awry.

Luggage ready for return home

I wasn't quick enough...

 ... when Robert called me to run out and get some photos of this small red float plane landing and taking off on the Lake a few minutes ago. I did, however manage a video of it flying past and towards Toronto.

No time for Bubbly!

 From My Facebook Timeline

Jill Ball is travelling to Hong Kong with Robert Ball from Madrid Airport Barajas (Mad) Int. Airport.

3 July 2019  · Madrid, Spain  · 

Shared with Your friends and Robert's friends

No time to visit the lounge in Madrid. Thankfully there were some bubbles waiting on the plane after the dash to make our connection.

A Pelican stole the Show

 It's a bit noisy in the Backyard today.

There's a festival at the old WW2 Catalina Flying Boat Base across the Lake at Rathmines so a few old planes are flying past. I enjoyed sitting out on the verandah and watching them fly by

The last pic is of a pelican who just had to join the flypast.

Boeing, Boeing

As regular riders on Boeing aircraft we were keen to tour the Boeing Factory at Everett, Washington  today. Unfortunately taking of photos on the tour is forbidden but after the tour we were able to take a few from a distance.

The Reception is in a separate building from which we were bussed to the factory.

A new plane still encased in its green protective wrapping.

The factory where they build 737s, 747s, 777s and 787s

We saw this stretched 747 cargo plane take off. It is used to transport parts for the new 787s.

New planes all painted up with their branding

Emirates

Homeward bound after another amazing adventure. Haven't been on Emirates for years. It's looking good.

Jetstar

Testing out Jetstar Business Class to Bali.

Fuel for the flight in the Qantas Business Lounge (no part of fare - we are Q Club members)

On board and up near the driver. 

King Island here I come

 

There were only 4 people on this plane from Essendon Airport

Windows on the World - X is for eXiting Xian

This month I am participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge where I will endeavour to post on this blog each day. I will be sharing photos of Windows that I have photographed on my travels and highlighting from A-Z the places where I found these Windows on the World.

Xian in China was an unremarkable city of 7 million people but we had visited there because it is the gateway city to the Terracotta Army. My mind wasn't on windows on Xian but on our visit to the warriors.

Blue skies for our flight out of Xian.

 One could be forgiven for thinking we were in Egypt

 Toll Plaza

A Would-be Warrior

New wings

18 December 2016

Beautiful new plane. Ready for takeoff from Sydney. We are the advance party for the Ball Family Hawaiian Christmas.

Plenty of legroom

Sky HIgh

Beautiful vistas on flight from Las Vegas to San Francisco.