We woke showered and were dressed by 5.15am. The porter arrived and took our luggage down to the taxi. But we hadn’t received advices that with the Marathon commencing , there were no taxi and we had to cross the main road to get a taxi to the airport. So we had to bide our time to cross through the security forces and through the runners. There were 30,000 competitors, so we were held up for some 20 minutes. Then a mad dash with our luggage across the road, through runners and then to find a taxi. Not the departure we wanted or expected, but we did it, then a short 25 minute drive to the airport.

Through checkin using a porter in 15 minutes then a long walk through the terminal to gate 28.

We boarded at 7.15am and we were seated in 3A and 3C.

Flight was comfortable, meal OK. We did get some sleep.

Arrival in Melbourne almost on time. Gavin arrived just as came through the entrance and we had cleared immigration and customs with our luggage inside 20 minutes.

A quick trip to Wheelers Hill followed. We were home by 5.45pm.

Just a fantastic holiday and all worked well.

Some final drama with Jeanette’s car not wanting to start. We call the RACV and instal a new battery, but they cannot sync with the on board computer. So a tow truck is called it is taken to Burwood Mazda, where it is restarted in 10 minutes and a service is completed.

We have enjoyed the trip, the cruise was fantastic, the excursions booked privately worked well.

The celebrations at Kempinski San Clemente Island was wonderful in Venice.