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RT · Guest

Clutching a brand new rosary I embarked on a Qantas 737 for a 5 hour great
circle from the centre of civilisation (Brisbane) to an outpost peopled by
savages (Perth). The seats in a 737 are best characterised as a park bench
with a thin covering of moss. The flight was 5+ hours.

While I avoid Qantas whenever possible due their appalling ground and cabin
staff, the cabin staff on this flight were schmick-the-duck. The three of
them were unfailingly cheerful and helpful and always present. Really made
the flight pleasant (as possible, with a numb bum). I guess they were new
on the job so were stuck with the really ratty flights. Anyway, they were
truly great.

Arriving in the land of the savages and having taken a coupla days to
recover and check out Perth there was an entertaining and thoroughly
enjoyable evening with one of our regulars (pitts-away) and some of his
feral friends.

The next day was spent checking out the Swan Valley (including the chocolate
factory outlet) and looking over Jandacot to see if a Tailwind (Stealth's
Baked Bean Bus) could be found. As regulars might remember, Stealth had
offered me a kamikazi ride in said Tailwind.

In any case, it couldn't be found, although the Jandacot Aero Club CFI knew
of Stealth. While looking to see if I could find the a/c I came across a
little shed/hangar where a bloke was assembling a RV-6 that he had just had
painted. Absolutely perfect - bright yellow, black and white. The fit
and finish was immaculate, but aside from perfectionism I've no idea why
anyone would prime the interior of something that wasn't an an
amphibian.........

Anyway, Jandacot is a queer place - all flat and sandy, but a humungeous
number of little hangars and a very flash aero club.

However, headed back to civilisation, departing on the Qantas 'Redeye' at
midnight WA time (2 am real time). The plus was that it was a 767, my
favourite a/c since we don't get to choose the 727 any more. The minus was
that it had the usual Qantas cabin crew who disappeared behind the curtains
as the wheels came up - and stuff the pax.

Murphy ruled again - it turned out Stealth was up north (in the north west
frontier, ie) while I was over there and got back into the Perth stockade
just as I'd left.

Nice wine over there. On the whole I reckon it might just shade the SA
stuff. And if any of you purists reckon that's off-charter, shove a cork
in it.