I couldn't believe my luck! The cab had arrived at work within minutes of my placing the call. My minimal luggage consisted of two absolutely full backpacks, two sets of ski poles and a small travel pack for hand luggage. Watching the cab driver struggle to lift the smaller of the two packs into the boot, I conceded to help, and deftly hefted my big pack and dumped it onto the rear seat, then promptly jumped into the front seat feeling pretty smug, and settled in for the short drive to Mascot. "International terminal thankyou".

Two and a half hours till my flight and all is still on schedule. Increadible !
Even the malaise from last nights late night re-packing is wearing off and ...

On arriving at the airport still well ahead of my boarding time I discover that my check-in desk is the one located just about as far away from where I have entered with my luggage as humanly possible. Sighing quietly to myself I shoulder my heaviest pack. Then, carefully balancing myself with the rest of my gear, stagger off through the milling crowd towards the waiting check-in counters.

The queue is "enormous" ! Moving with the slow inevitability of a giant python devouring a clydesdale, the seething mass of bodies and loose luggage inches ever so slowly forward, towards the waiting check-in counters. My knees are shaking and both arms are visibly straining under my ungainly load, but there is so much going on in the crowded airport, so much happening around me, and so much to see that I am constantly distracted from my own discomfort, as I watch the antics of the anxiously waiting throng.

Suddenly an airport staff person (obviously of some importance) breaks the barrier and leaps in front of the family directly in front of me. Glancing nervously at his watch a couple of times and scanning the length of the pythons' tail behind me, he seems to reach a decision.
He swallows hard and takes a deep breath.
"OK!", he shouts, waving at me and the tail. "All YOU people come with me! We're opening a new counter!".
What incredible luck ! From drowning in the gut of the python I am disgorged to the head in one fell swoop! Just like that!
This is going to be a great trip !

Quickly following our escort around the island of check-in bays we, the snake tail and I, mamba our way to the other side where a Tongan footy team is just finishing up. We're next and and in a few minutes we're on the scales and weighing in at just over 38 Kg. I am totally ignorant of what my weight limit should be, but the guy checking me through doesn't indicate that anything is wrong. Only my ski poles need to go to the 'odd shaped items dept.', as they will likely cause a problem on the carousel. I have no problem with that !

Checked in and on my way to the gate lounge ...