Russian around the Baltic with some spice to finish off!

[love_the_life]

Are you off soon - I am getting a tad excited for you

 

[Pushka]

Oh. I am starting on the wines in anticipation.

I have three more sleeps. Departing at 3.35pm Sunday with a chauffeur who confirmed their arrival today.

Does this help? I can't believe that in 7 nights time we will be on the ship having been in Stockholm for 2 nights already.



I have had today to do last minute financials for eofy. Last night the gas heater packed up so tomorrow am stuck at home waiting for gas fitter to arrive.

Saturday, older son arrives back from Sydney having just obtained his green belt in the sigma lean training program today. Then his partner is driving down from Port Pirie as she has arranged a surprise birthday dinner with a group of his best mates. So I'm collecting birthday cake and taking it to the venue. We haven't been invited. Then it's home again to lodge BAS for second company and reconcile all the accounts. Print off super portfolio value as at 30th June for the accountant. Then Sunday having a breakfast with family for sons birthday the next day, THEN we are off.

I need a holiday.... Said goodbye to our EA today and she said to have a coughtail or two. To hell with that - they are free for the next three weeks courtesy of lounges, clubs and beverage packages on the ship. I'm having way more.

 

[Pushka]

One more sleep. I've now finished off the financials for the 2 companies and lodged both BAS with the ATO. One of them requiring a substantial payment so that will wait until Aug 11th. Would like to do workcover reconciles but being classic Government they are upgrading their website today.

Have cleaned out the wallet of non essential cards and it's so much lighter. Am pretty much packed and just charging all the ithingies. Instructions issued to son about care of the cat, the office and he is taking over the management of the business while we are away. The cat presents the most challenges for him. Kitty litter. He gags. Kind of karma really.

Multiple loads of washing being done. MrP of course is still working and not packed. Up to me just to make sure all his clothes are clean to take. Mind you he lives out of a case so I shouldn't worry.

Time for a sparkling. Except there is ironing to do.

 

[love_the_life]

One more sleep. .....

Time for a sparkling. Except there is ironing to do.

Mmmm, hard choice, sparkling or ironing? Perhaps you can combine them, drink a glass while doing the ironing.

 

[Pushka]

Mmmm, hard choice, sparkling or ironing? Perhaps you can combine them, drink a glass while doing the ironing.

I'm bad enough at ironing as it is but not bad enough that MrP has taken it over.

Anyway all done. Cheap sparkling at hand.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is that the cat I just saw sneaking into one of your packed cases?

 

[Pushka]

Is that the cat I just saw sneaking into one of your packed cases?

He's been hunting around it all day but because it's one of those half and half suitcases there's no room for him. He's kinda depressed right now.

 

[love_the_life]

I

Anyway all done. Cheap sparkling at hand.

Wash your mouth out woman - what cheap (I almost can't say the word) sparkling? Not a Bolle?

He's been hunting around it all day but because it's one of those half and half suitcases there's no room for him. He's kinda depressed right now.

Poor baby - give him lots of cuddles and love.

 

[Pushka]

Progress. T-3 and MrP is packing

 

[love_the_life]

Progress. T-3 and MrP is packing 

Happy trails to you.....etc.

 

[Pushka]

Chauffeur arrived promptly on time but then said there was only 1 pax booked. Weird as we are both on the same PNR. Who knows. I wasn't leaving MrP behind.

Adelaide airport on Sunday arvo is always disgustingly (for Adelaide) busy and today was no exception. Annoyingly the premium check in was being used by everyone and anyone rocking up to the normal checkin had no wait. And these flyers were not premium nor club but a scout group flying domestic only.

Finally up to check in counter and all things sorted. First card put on luggage through to Dubai. We are in J and due to WP were able to book row 12 which is in the smaller of the 2 business cabins and the opposite side of the lounge and as the check in person mentioned, sweet seats.

Then to the security checks that were completely full (layer upon layer) but were moving quickly. No explosives check for MrP this time. Phew.

Into the lounge which is quite noisy. I couldn't seem to find the Adelaide Business Lounge that shows in my Qantas App.

The lounge has new seating and near the food counters the couple seats have been replaced with high tables and seats for 6. And there are seats looking out of the window as in the MEL lounge but way too bright on a sunny day.

Anyway we are here waiting for the domestic leg.



So many kids here but it isn't SA school holidays. Maybe private schools are out.

So - when do I eat? Dom flight? F Lounge or on the A380. I think the risotto in the lounge beckons me. And I simply can't eat three dinners anymore. Sad but true.

 

[love_the_life]

.....

So many kids here but it isn't SA school holidays. Maybe private schools are out. .....

What is it about kids these days - do parents take them out of school willy nilly? I went to the Canberra zoo with daughter on Friday and it was packed - though there seemed to be an awful lot of pushers and babies. Private schools are out here and QLD and NT were already on holidays. You don't start for another week though. :shock:

Sorry those with children but as a teacher I used to get very annoyed with parents who decided to miss the last week of term as it was cheaper/easier/less crowded etc.

Grumpy cat looks suitably sullen and unimpressed.

 

[Pushka]

Flight to MEL was delayed due to air traffic control in MEL but strong tail winds got us there on time.

Seated in row 2 and in row 1 was Julia Gillard. She was travelling to MEL for her work with Beyond Blue. She was extremely polite and chatty with her (stranger) seat companion. She seemed like a very nice unassuming person.

I declined alcohol waiting for the good stuff and just ate the chicken and greens as I hadn't eaten much since around 11am. It was quite nice.



Headed for immigration which wasn't too bad. No exit cards to complete. And the scan of passport was done quickly.

Then off to the F lounge which was very quiet. Perfect.

I made the executive decision to eat straightaway while it was quiet and also to eat so that in a few hours I would be ready to sleep. Risotto for me - smelt divine. And a Mumm Rose.



MrP had some kind of pink woman gin and the salt and pepper squid.

He said it was delish. Well. He doesn't use those kind of words so I helped him out.

Then sweets. The Pavlova. Loved this. So many different tastes and textures. A winner.



We decided to sit on the comfortable lounges just as our bird arrived and was being attended to.

 

[Pushka]

Oh. She does have wings. I just checked.

 

[JessicaTam]

Yikes, to think I nearly missed the flight. Am I too late to grab a jump seat?

 

[love_the_life]

Yikes, to think I nearly missed the flight. Am I too late to grab a jump seat?

I think there was a spare seat in economy

Duck and run.

 

[EestiTiger]

Apparently my paternal family stems from Thorald which is Danish and the family later settled in Oxford. My maiden name is certainly an anglicized version of that and our paternal line is tall, blond and blue eyed. Classic Dane.

When you are in Tallinn - stop by the Danish garden - https://www.visitestonia.com/en/danish-kings-garden

 

[EestiTiger]

Looking forward to this trip report!

If you're feeling adventurous I would highly recommend the restaurant Noa. It's 20mins drive from the port around the coast, but to me it's well worth the trip. Great food and beautiful views of the harbour. You can also see a couple of things along the way such as the Song Festival Grounds which if you read about is pretty important in recent Estonian history. Taxis in Estonia are very cheap anyway, just be sure to read the rates on the window before you jump in as they vary from ridiculously cheap to just cheap.

Agree with Noa - great place

 

[Pushka]

So landed in Dubai 90 minutes ago and have already had a small breakfast in the club at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The advance purchase included transport to and from the airport plus the usual club enhancements. It's this hotel.


But back to the flight. Boarding was quick and easy up to the top deck. It was around 11pm by now and as we'd eaten in the lounge we passed on dinner as did most I think. Just a g&t nightcap which arrived promptly.
The usual J seat.
View attachment 100696
J was full. No young infants but a couple of younger children. First world problems but the fully flat bed is a myth now and I just always had this sensation of sliding down. PJ's only M-L and they just aren't attractive on anyone. Some of the sights. I didn't keep mine as L doesn't work for me.

Slept on and off. Seat belt sign came on and off but not too bad. Cabin quiet except for a cougher and a loud snorer. He woke me up through the night and when I needed a loo break I accidentally banged into his seat. He didn't feel it. The only thing that woke him up was when his mobile phone started ringing. . Then he turned on the TV but went back to sleep but turned the screen facing me so through shut eyes all I could see was the presence of a glare and flicker as the scenes changed.

 

[Pushka]

So, two questions. Is it acceptable to change into PJ's in the small lounge? And also to walk through the J cabin (any cabin really) while brushing your teeth.

The menus came with the early breakfast order option which is a great idea.




The new amenities kit which looks great.