STEP TWO: arrange for the Tilt Train to breakdown somewhere just north of Bundaberg. It's a nice touch if the train is no longer able to move in a forward direction, but is still able to move backwards. Gratefully accept the free breakfast offered by Queensland Rail.
STEP THREE: convince Queensland Rail that you can't very well travel to Cairns on the buses they have provided for your fellow passengers. Tips to achieve this include (a) having a wheelchair; (b) needing enough floor space to change a teenager (c) needing regular meals and snacks due to said teenager also having insulin-dependent diabetes (d) having a connecting flight booked, which happens to leave before the buses are due to arrive in Cairns.
STEP FOUR: gratefully accept the tickets to fly to Cairns instead! Two thumbs up to Q Rail and particularly Mark in the Bundaberg office, who worked very hard to make all the arrangements - right down to a wheelchair-accessible taxi to the airport.
STEP FIVE: HUSTLE!!!
Important Tip: make sure you know how to fold up your teenager's wheelchair so that you can do so gracefully under pressure. Wear suitable clothes.
STEP SIX: Fly from Bundaberg back south to Brisbane. Wave to family as you fly past.
STEP SEVEN: Now fly from Brisbane back past the Sunshine Coast (wave to family), over Bundaberg (wave to Tilt Train)... all the way up to Cairns! YAY. Congratulate each other for getting to Cairns a full four hours before the train was due to get there.
STEP EIGHT: choose movie, choose room service, settle back and enjoy!
4 comments:
haha! i love Christopher's expressions!
love you,
Cat xoxo
what an 'adventure'. We will have to write to QR (Mark) and formally thank them.
all's well that end's well...although you haven't made it back home yet. 'break a leg' tomorrow.
What an adventure! This is one of the memory books! Trains, Planes and automobiles...
Morning Tamara - I notice that you dip into WHOOPEE now and again. She has had her bubs - has some lovely photos on her FLICKER. Love Conniexx
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