The Adventure Begins…

By Beej

Ceridwen stretched like a cat in her seat. This was her fourth trip to Oz, but the first in the opulent luxury of the first class cabin. Her last trip had been in business class, thanks to her air miles, and she thought that was glorious...but this was a little piece of heaven.

She glanced across as Max, sleeping peacefully by her side. Neither of them had taken the option of converting their seats to the flat bed, but they were both reclined at a comfortable angle. She raised her head to look around. The cabin was almost empty, only about four other seats taken. She could get used to this she thought, grinning at the idea.

She felt a change in the pitch of the aircraft and realised that they were beginning their descent into Kingsford-Smith. Gently shaking Max awake, she raised her seat back to the upright position and stood to go to the bathroom, kissing Max as she stepped passed him.

Feeling refreshed after a quick wash and a change of clothes, she returned to her seat. “Morning, lover,” she said, kissing Max softly on the lips.

“Morning, beautiful,” he replied, struggling out of his blanket to follow her example and go to freshen up. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror and decided not to shave, Ceri liked his stubble. He went back to his seat, leaning over to give his girl a squeeze and one of his patent good morning kisses just as the message came to fasten their seat belts. Holding hands, they prepared for their ears to pop as they neared their destination.

Max yawned again as he looked round. “Is this bloody queue ever going to move?” he bitched. Ceri smiled. They were standing in line for immigration. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that once they got through this part there was still quarantine and customs to get through. Instead she gave him a hug. “Don’t worry, big boy. When we’ve been here long enough, we can apply for citizenship and then we can use that line.” She pointed across to the almost empty Australia and new Zealand nationals section. “Can’t come too bloody soon,” Max bitched.

“Careful, my love. They’ll be calling you a whinging pohm if you don’t pipe down.”

“You know, I still don’t know why they call us pohm’s.”

“It’s quite simple, Max. Remember how we used to transport prisoners? Well, they were known as Prisoners Of Her Majesty, or POHM’s. Now be a good boy and wait patiently.”

Before too long they were through and waiting for their bags. Thankfully the line through quarantine wasn’t too long and they were soon on the shuttle train to the domestic terminal for their short trip up to Coffs airport, where their hire car would be waiting.

Ceri thought it was sweet of Max to hire a Holden. Trust him to start their new life in Oz by asking for an Australian car. He’d been practical too she thought, watching him load up the 4WD. At least they wouldn’t tear up the suspension once they got to the property. She couldn’t wait to get there. So far they had only seen pictures of their new home. They’d decided to have a ‘traditional’ rural Aussie house built and were eager to see if it looked as good as the pictures they’d been sent.

“Almost there, love,” Max said, reaching for Ceri’s hand and kissing it, not taking his eyes off the road. “According to the instructions, it’s about another ten kilometres down this road before we reach the boundary.”

“It’s going to take a while to get used to all the measurements being in metric, Max. So, that’s less than ten miles isn’t it.”

“Yes, love, don’t worry, we’ll soon be home.”

“God, that sound so good. I wonder how many of the others have already arrived. I know B and Jack were coming by sea.”

“It’s in his blood, C. I doubt that anyone will ever get him in a plane willingly.”

“Bless his heart. I think that’s really romantic. Shame the best I can manage is the Manly ferry,” Ceri laughed. She wasn’t the best sailor in the family.

Okay…this looks like the place. I’ll just open the gate.”

“No, Max, I’ll get it,” Ceri smiled as she opened the passenger door and jumped down. She almost skipped to the gate. As she unlatched it, she jumped onto the lowest bar and held on and the gate swung open. She laughed with glee as it reminded her of the way she used to play on the gate at her girlhood friend’s father’s farm.

Max smiled as he watched the woman he loved acting like a little girl. He slowly eased the Holden forward and waited while Ceri shut the gate behind him. “Hop aboard, Ceri. We’ve got a house to inspect.”

The property seemed to go on forever. They followed the track as it turned round a stand of trees. Ceri gasped and pointed. Was she seeing things? A beautiful thatched cottage came into view. “OMG!! Am I seeing things? A thatched cottage in the middle of the outback!”

“It’s not really the outback is it,” Max laughed.

“You know what I mean, smart arse. This must be B and Jack’s place. Isn’t it adorable?”

“I hope they wired the thatch. Goodness knows what kind of critters would like to take up residence in there.”

“Jeez, Max. You can always put a downer on things,” Ceri grinned as she playfully punched him on the shoulder. “Come on, lets find out place. It should be just around the corner.”

They drove on a little way and both gasped at the site before them. Nestled in another small stand of trees was their dream house. It was at the top of a small rise. They both got out of the car and walked towards their new home. Max reached for Ceri and hugged her tight against him.

“Home,” they both sighed.