The Journey Begins

Cat drove to the airport with Dusty Springfield singing up a storm. Cat remembered the bare foot diva singing on Count Down. So long ago she had sung these up beat songs and now Dusty was dead and all her secrets opened up and strewn about for all to see.

Cat was on her way to the airport to pick up her long time friend, Possum from Cairns. Poss had been Cat's bridesmaid and long time friend.

And there she stood, 67 years of age, unchanged, albeit a little thicker in the waist. Same dark hair, short and thick. Cat felt more than a tinge of jealously, Poss was thicker in the waist, but Cat had grown thicker in waist, neck, thighs and arms. Genetics and over eating were the cause of Cat's excess. The obvious self control exhibited by Poss did not please Cat at all.

Bags were squeezed into the back of the car and of they sped sped off to the house in the wood. The kittens danced and played with their beloved Poss. Recalling adventures and meals she had cooked them. The never forgotten "spider on the windscreen", the gastronomical delights of packet noodles and ice blocks. Poss was legend.

Morning broke, breakfast eaten. Panda, Cat and Poss were packed off in the car and driven to the airport to meet Gummi and Gloriana, to book in and take the 9 hour flight to Guangzhou. Quick kisses hugs and a bright wave from the Kittens, they were left standing  before the terminal.   Panda stood for a while as his new car sped off with the Kittens at the wheel. His lips moving in silent prayer.

There they stood the Famous Five, e-ticket, passport in hand and paw they stood calmly in line and loaded their baggage and headed for the customs area. The first disagreement came with Gloriana mentioning not having eaten breakfast. A cheer escaped Cat's lips, food was a very good idea. Gummi looked glum and went of to hunt for something cheap and filling. This was a very optimistic idea as they were inside the Airport waiting area. As captives they were left to the mercy of the market. Poss and Cat shouted Gloriana a coffee. Panda sniffed and said he would wait to be fed on the plane. He emphasized the need for self control. Cat had often heard that remark from Panda but had never sought out its true meaning.

That was one of the last decent coffees the three would taste for the next 18 days.

Finally they were called to board their aircraft and were shoehorned into their allocated seats. Southern  China airlines obviously measured seats to fit slim little Asian bottoms.  Cat sighed it was going to be a long and cozy 9 hours. She curled up and fell promptly asleep.