Flight to Sydney

Our flight to Sydney wasn’t until noon, and the airport wouldn’t be busy, so we had plenty of time for one last trip around the island.

After we packed up, and I took a picture of the welcome swallow’s nest under the second story’s overhang (They had been swooping back and forth, past our lower level door and out to the field every day. I didn’t hear babies, but they must be there, for all the work the parents are doing.), we drove down to the beach for one last look at the iconic lone pine. 


I saw the masked lapwing which hadn’t been reported on the island since 1998 according to the eBird organizer who wanted documentation. I’m sure the bird has been there. It’s just that no one uses eBird to report it. 


We drove past our apartments to Palm Glen in NI National Park just in case a parrot or other bird would like to appear. None of the first, but a female golden whistler came to my phishing. The old man’s beard lichen (Parmeleaceae sp) was on lots of the trees, an indication of good air quality, according to Lily.



By now the cyclorama of the history of the NI people, from the mutiny on the Bounty to their arrival on NI was open. 



But first a scone with whipped cream and guava jelly at Hilli Restaurant next door. There were scarves hanging by the door for anyone who was feeling chilly. I’d seen this before at the NZ marina restaurant which had rolled up blankets available for customers. I’d assumed they were for sale, but Betsy assured me we could just wrap up in one, which I did. What a civilized custom.

 The entrance to the cyclorama is through the Guava Galley but I resisted buying any glass plates or jewelry.

At the airport, we offloaded and parked the car, leaving the keys on the front seat where we’d found them. The advantage of being in a small community. 

Hanging in the waiting area were returned Boomerang Bags, to be used only on the island. There were bag hangers at most of the stores we went into, so the bags flow around from one place to another. No plastic bags to be seen.





Everyone waiting to board the one daily plane was just like us, old and white, except they were returning to Australia, and we were just getting started on the next step of our adventure. I did learn that Qantas is not an affected spelling but rather an acronym of Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service.

An easy flight and an Uber to our airbnb in Elizabeth Bay. We walked to the Cole’s and bought ramen and vegetables for dinner. Our host Lizzy had left a bottle of wine. 

Steps Today: 15,077


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