John had only arrived at the Brisbane airport when he received a text informing him that his flight was to be delayed. Rather than leave at eleven that night it would be nine the following morning. He was not happy. The airline did put the passengers up in a hotel that night and the next as both flights were impacted. Five hundred people queueing for the one flight makes for a pretty cosy situation. Emirates apparently flew another plane out because there was a technical difficulty with the one, they initially planned to use. 

On the other side of the planet, my bus trip went without a hitch. National Express coach was on time, and it is always such a relief once your luggage in on board and you are away. I could easily live in London. There is just so much to see and do. My to-do list was bereft of cross-outs!!! I’ll just have to come back!

My Munich flight was delayed but I knew I had plenty of light and was reasonably familiar with my destination. I landed at Terminal 2 and initially headed out on to the concourse. Munich airport has an enormous concourse surrounded by shops and restaurants. I sought assistance and found Bus Stop 16 and waited for the 512 which would be another thirty minutes. I asked a young woman if I could pay on the bus. I got mixed messages. Yes…he doesn’t care…don’t worry.. just follow me I am going to Erding too. I rode for free. John paid thirteen Euro the following day but later we realised it should have been just €3.50 each. Oh well- swings and roundabouts!!!

We finally caught up twenty-four hours later and headed straight for Therme Erding. A sauna, cold plunge, the volcano jets to ease the muscles and a swim up to the bar to sink a few pints and all was right with the world again. This has to be one of the most hedonistic places on the planet.

John had done his research and the State of Origin would be playing at the Kieran Bar, an Irish pub in Munich. We gathered with the faithful and watched the maroons defeat the blues. John and I sat with a father and son team from Manchester, living in Munich, in their Penrith shirts and their lederhosen backing the blues. They were great company and then we were joined by a couple from Yepoon who were ‘fun’ on speed and had us all laughing and thoroughly enjoying the moment. They were doing a whirlwind tour of Europe and I would defy anyone to keep up with them!

I noticed John was popping lozenges for a sore throat. He never gets a sore throat. It was a portent of what was to come.