Tag: comunication

We went to the Other Side…

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of the world. Yep! Australia. As far from here as we could get (Joking that we could have a new PM by the time we got home…we did) for three glorious weeks. 9 beds in 21 days and a little sleep on the plane(s) too. People if you have the chance to do this trip please take it. We took the Ghan!

If you’re not aware of the Ghan let me tell you this is no ordinary train.

Image of the Ghan train stopped at Manganuri Statio

Named for the Afghan cameleers who helped to keep trade and communication going across Australia. It runs 2979km from Darwin to Adelaide and vice versa. You can take a straight trip or an expedition or even get off in the middle for a few days, which is what we did, with 6 glorious days in the Red Centre. No, its not cheap but it is all inclusive and lots of people choose to celebrate a ‘big’ birthday on board or have some other reason to celebrate.

We went Platinum because who wants to climb into a bunk bed on a train? There is a Gold class too (bunk beds) and single cabins for those without claustrophobic tendencies. For those with mobility issues Journey Beyond do offer specialist cabins though these are limited. (They are not paying me for this post as, frankly, they don’t need my help) They’re booking 2024 at time of writing and don’t bet on getting a Platinum cabin as they sell out fast! We did the ‘Red Centre Spectacular’ and our guides Smiler and Karen with Outback Spirit were brilliant but more of them later.

Long flight….loooooong flight. Word of advice pay for the best seat you can afford on the plane. We went Qantas business class (it was a celebration). Fully reclining beds for the win. Turning left onto the plane for the first time. Being greeted with champagne. Menu with actual choices! Snacks on demand. A snuggly duvet. As many drinks as you like all for no extra cost….eat your heart out EasyJet. Big thank you to all the staff (especially those on the Adelaide to Perth leg who dealt with a medical emergency very calmly whilst we were on board) who were patient and kind throughout.

First stop Darwin. (OK, there was an exhausted overnight in Sydney but we saw nothing of the city).

Two little pricks

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So last week was the ‘flu jab and today Covid 4, the much anticipated but unwanted sequel. I arrived home to the announcement that a friend we dined with on Friday has tested positive. Ah well, the test won’t work on me today anyway. It’s officially lockdown for us as of today whatever. The big adventure is but days away. Single figures. Supplies are laid in and the house sitter is confirmed.

Burning desires?

There are logs enough to keep the home fires burning until we slope off. TBH I’m more than a tad nervous. It’s been a while since I’ve left the country to be sure. The pandemic has its continuing effect. Collecting the holiday cash this very afternoon made it all a bit more real but I suspect that until I set foot on that plane. It may be a while before the next update. I’ll be out of signal range. Allons y.

How to be a great guest

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I’m sure a lot if you will have gone “Air b’n’b” at some point. Not sponsored. If not do try it it’s great fun. (Yes, I am aware of the arguments about it ruining the housing market for first time buyers).We prefer to have place to come back to where you can cook and have privacy unlike a youth hostel though we have used those too. (I should say many hostels now have smaller private rooms not all dorms). Being able to slob out in your pants (underwear for my US chums) and not worry about housekeeping or dorm mates is a plus but mostly being able to cook and eat at random times and for less than a meal out is where the joy is for us.

We’ve been to a few places all over the world. Usually we communicate in English but it’s polite to try whatever language even if it’s via Google translate and with apologies. That’s a good start to endearing yourself to the host. Now I’m sure people are aware that guests rank the host when they leave and getting a ‘superhost’ rank pretty much ensures that you’re booked up so most will try hard to please. Were you aware that hosts can and do rank guests too? You definitely want to get on the 5 star guest list as it helps you grab those difficult to book spaces. Our hosts tend to remember us for all the right reasons. Put it this way, it’s our wedding anniversary and a previous host has especially invited us back to celebrate!

Rule one. Read the reviews. There’s often detail in there that you might miss. For example a host may have pets and you may have allergies even if the pet is not allowed in the rental space. Do your research about the area as well. One time, in Paris, a perfectly lovey flat was marred by having to climb over drunks asleep in the doorway on the way in every night.

Rule two. Be polite. It costs nothing. Be up front if you gave particular needs or requests. Will you be arriving late at night or need to dropbags off early before the space is cleaned? We always check for gay friendliness.

Rule three. Remember this is someone’s home and their business. If the rule is shoes off at the door and everyone sits to pee (this is a real place and we loved it) then so be it. Their house their rules.

Rule four. Be considerate. If you’re sharing  space with the host then keep the noise down and keep hallways tidy for example.

Rule five. Clear up before you leave. Dry the dishes, put things away, strip the bed, take out the rubbish. If necessary throw away perishable food stuffs. Tne room may not be used for some time and your stinky sour milk will not be appreciated. On the other hand tinned or dried foods left for other guests can be an act of kindness (and lightens your luggage).

Rule six. Leave a thank you note. We do this as a matter of course. It means you can point out any minor issues (if there are any) without putting them in your review. One host had a guest point out an issue before we arrived one morning and greeted us to explain the he would give us his home for the night while the tiny tiny issue was fixed. What service. To be honest if there is an issue it’s best to contact the host straight away.

We always take a gift. Usually a couple of food items made very locally to our home if we are allowedtobring them across any border or another typical item from home. Sometimes we give this as we arrive. If we can we invite out host for a home cooked meal or drink but this is not always practical. *I would not do this if traveling alone for example.

We’ve stayed in a tiny crazy attic flat, a smelly basement (that was an early one), a converted garage, and a “tree house with a pool” (that one’s in Australia). Air b’nb have always been really helpful….like that time someone tried to rent their student room in halls as a ‘studio flat’ … look, it’s an adventure. Be respectful and kind, you’ll be treated well.

Wireless for Sound

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So I started the process of getting my radio ham beginners license. I’m enrolled in an online course. The calculations are going to mess with my brain for a while but practice, practice. Next stage is to book an exam but I’m going to leave that until I’m through the programme. I told you this blog would be eccentric.

The little Chinese walkie talkie arrived today. A Baofeng. It’s cheap and hopefully cheerful. I’m not allowed to PTT (push to talk) until I pass my exam and have a call sign and license from HM Government. I can, however, listen and I am told that it may be possible to hear the ISS (International Space Station) as it passes overhead. I can also get Radio 2 from the BBC no doubt!

Today’s adventures in amateur radio seem to have included a lot of information about electrical circuits and radio frequencies which is to be expected I suppose. I’m thankful that there’s not currently a practical requirement for the first level due to Covid 19. No doubt that will come. In the meantime I’ll sign off.

Retired not bored

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I took early retirement because my dad didn’t. Its cost him a lot in terms of his health in the years since. He was the first to celebrate my decision. Other people however seem to have taken retirement to mean ‘has nothing to do all day so can be at my beck and call’. Prepare for a rant.

I love my wife. Last week we had a bit of a situation. I’d planned a day to zoom off to the art gallery and have lunch at my club, put in some work on my PhD, various household tasks, as you do. Then the text message landed ‘Can you just go and get me some vape liquid?’ This was Monday. We had been at home all weekend (there’s a story about a broken boiler and useless trades for another day) and the vape shop had been open the whole time. So I messaged to say I would go but now this had thrown off my plans. Follows a gushing apology and retraction. Now the difficult conversation that if you want people to treat you a certain way e.g. not disturb you when busy or undertaking difficult tasks (referring to a work incident for my wife the previous week) maybe model it.

I accept that you may now be judging me. Bear with. The wife in question has ADHD. (This is my only wife please don’t get excited). It has taken years to get into the system to get a sniff or a diagnosis and we are not there yet, though hopefully in the final stages. The incident was a piece of work with a deadline and a manager who kept sending through irritating little tasks that could wait. If you know ADHD at all you will understand that any distraction is the total destruction of concentration and takes some time to recover from. There are strategies in place. Noise cancelling headphones. Closed door to signal ‘Do Not Disturb’ and at home these work well but in a connected world every ping is a disturbance. Apparently shutting the notifications off for an hour or two is not an option. My phone has all notifications switched off and if you need me urgently you’d better ring me. Point being that a difficult conversation about boundaries and use of time ensued at work.

At home we have a calendar and a daily conversation about planned activities. It’s polite and helps things to run smoothly. I’m currently refusing to use any online schedules. Had enough of them at work and a paper diary is just so much cooler. (I use one from Paper Republic with refills. They are not paying me to mention them.) I’d said what my plans were, in particular I had a PhD deadline and needed to concentrate. Sadly my way of ensuring things get done is to do them while I’m thinking about them. I do have a ‘to do’ list in my carefully constructed (cough) Bullet Journal and I’m usually pretty good at remembering things but not that day. So I reorganised my day to do household in the morning, postpone the gallery as the exhibition is on for another week, and write in the afternoon. It was Ok I achieved the main tasks. Good stuff.

Fade to Friday afternoon. I’m sitting in my club. Waiting. I have a private tutoring arrangement with a young member there and he was late. Again. I waited 30 minutes and left. I have no idea what’s going on in his head. Last week his reason was he had the books to do for his business and cancelled last minute.. The week before no idea what happened but he was distracted throughout cutting the session short to go meet a paying client. I have a strategy I’m going to try for that one. It costs me time, energy and money to be there and he seems to have no respect for that. We have another appointment tomorrow. We shall see.

My point in all this? I’m retired from full time work. I chose to do that so I could better control my time and put my focus on the things I want to do. Things that give me joy. Even housework is not taxing when you can plan to do it at your own pace not rush through it on your day off. I’ve managed to get up, make the bed, make breakfast and write this even before starting my planned activities. Its not yet lunchtime… and so what if it was, I’m retired, not bored, not un busy. I’m off out now.

NOTE: The tradesperson fixed the boiler on day 6 without heating in approx. 15 minutes. He was from a different company.