Freedom! Got myself packed up by 8am, my transport arrived shortly after 9, and we were back in Canberra about 1pm. Shared that bottle of bubbly with my rescuers, then down to the local post office to collect my new mobile (cell) phone and router, so I am back connected. And, joy of joys, it turns out there was still some of my wine here from last Christmas. One of those will get opened very soon.

In the period between being ready to leave and actually leaving I started to reflect on the last two weeks. In one way it seems like I arrived an eternity ago, but then I’d have trouble filling in what happened over 14 days worth of time.

Walking down to the post office in the sun and breathing fresh air was so nice. Perhaps I can get over that last bit of jet lag now.

Got plenty to do here, not the least of which is restocking the pantry. Simple things like figuring who has the best prices for what. What things are available (it will certainly be different to the offerings on the Monterey Peninsula). And so many other things. Won’t have time to be bored for a while.

And that is the end of this particular journey. I hope you all stay well, and I look forward to seeing you sometime in the not too distant future.

Never have I so looked forward to a knock on the door. This one happened mid-morning and it was a bunch of people to start me on my escape process. I can check out between 4am and 10am. My little sister and her husband are driving up from Canberra to collect me; should see them soon after 9am. I am so looking forward to sunshine and fresh air.

Then, this afternoon, another knock on the door. A hotel manager with a bottle of bubbly. How nice was that!

My sister suggested morning tea. My response – bring glasses.

I don’t know how soon I’ll be back on-line; maybe as soon as tomorrow afternoon. As soon as that happens I’ll post one more update, and then it will be on to the next adventure (whatever that may be).

Well, after yesterday’s frustrations, today was the most productive day I’ve had so far. Got into a good working groove, hopefully I can keep that going. Apart from that very little to report. I did order a new phone, so I should have service soon. Slowly getting my new life set up.

A couple of days ago I was looking out the window and wondering if I could generate enough forward momentum to make it to the roof opposite.

Ocean…Ocean…Ocean…

Another rather frustrating day, this time on the IT side. Not helped by issues with the hotel WiFi/Internet connection. At times I was seeing download speeds in the kbs instead of Mbs. Oy vey!

But another Scottish sleeping pill helped take the edge off 😉

Three more sleeps.

This morning I finally succumbed to the temptations of the room service menu. Bacon and egg roll, orange juice and a small latte, all for $9 (that’s about US$6.50). Pretty good deal and very yummy.

Got my second test done today, freedom is fast approaching. On Wednesday I do all the necessary admin stuff and get a wrist band that allows my escape the following morning. I can almost taste it, and it’s better than any bacon and egg roll. Four more sleeps.

A day, which seemed like a day but was really only a day, passed …. quietly. Not much to report, three door knocks and the daily call from the medical staff. But it’s another one crossed off the calendar.

A decently productive day. Enough challenges to make it feel like I got things done.

Quarantine life goes on, nothing to report on that side; except I might have my second test done tomorrow. We’ll see. When I said I didn’t have much of a view, this is what I meant.

Since it is now Friday evening I opened a bottle of 2008 Charles Shaw Syrah from Columbia Valley to go with my slow-cooked lamb shoulder.

And now it’s time to sit back and watch some footy – St Kilda v Richmond.

Well, that was a waste of a day! After spending far too much time trying to navigate the Dell phone system I finally found out the the monitor I had ordered was on back order and not expected in till the end of the month. Good one, Dell; it would have been nice to have known that at the time. Doesn’t seem worth trying another order here; it may not arrive before I leave. Ho hum, struggle on with just the laptop screen.

But on the bright side, I’m over halfway through my quarantine. Must be downhill from here.

The big excitement of the day was a fresh linen delivery. I hope I don’t go into sensory overload on the drive to Canberra.

Quite a productive day, really. Got lots of stuff done – even some work!

Arranged to go visit my Dad in the nursing home after I get to Canberra. That requires me to have a flu shot, so I had to get that scheduled. Then there’s health insurance, so I tapped my siblings for advice. I will also need a mobile (cell) phone, internet service, and probably things I haven’t thought of yet.

The only downer was that my monitor didn’t arrive; boo, hiss Dell. Phone call will be made first thing.

Didn’t see much in the way of rain, just a bit of drizzle; but there is the chance of a thunderstorm tomorrow. Unfortunately, the last thunderstorm I saw was not too long ago; it was the one that sparked the wildfires in California, including the River Fire which came too close for comfort.

I also engaged in a bit more retail therapy – a compound mitre saw. I will have to go and pick up my motorcycles and boxes of spares from Sydney, just as I delivered them to LA. To secure the bikes I made a couple of front wheel stands from 4×2 (old school measure) lumber (aka timber). I’ll need to do the same here, and I don’t know if my household effects (including all my tools) will arrive before the bikes.

A minute passed. Then another. Then, another minute. Then… another minute passed. Then another minute passed. And another. A further minute passed quickly, followed by another minute, when suddenly, a different minute passed, followed by another different minute. And another. And yet another further different minute. A minute passed. I glanced at my watch. It was a minute past. This was it. A minute passed. After a moment, another minute passed. I waited a minute while a minute passed quickly past. And then, a minute which seemed to last an hour but was only a minute… passed.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have Helen in front of me.

Another four-knock day, this time the cables and power strip I ordered. Tomorrow I should get the monitor and then I can get down to some serious work.

Finished going through all the notes and scratchings, so that’s something achieved. The weather forecast suggests showers over the next few days; haven’t seen rain in a while so that will be entertaining.