Boomsmas in Europe 1

We left the cats at Fur Family Pet Resort: Mallory was highly indignant and refused to emerge for a goodbye photo

I have heard from Ann since that they are perfectly happy and we can relax. 

Travel is NOT relaxing - the combination of hyped-up security, long waits and boredom is mind-numbing. We endured 14 hours from Melbourne to Doha in Qatar in an Airbus 380-800 which holds 517 passengers and it was nearly full. When we landed at 5.30 am there was a massive wave of people going to the restrooms and cafes. We had a drink in a nice cafe in preparation for the 6 hour leg Doha to Amsterdam. I knitted - wooden knitting needles seem to be ok though it's a bit like knitting with toothpicks. 

The most cheering sight of travel is seeing your case heading along the carousel:

and some welcoming faces outside waiting to drive you to the hotel in a Mercedes limo.