Wednesday 7 May

Check-in for QF801 PER/ADL was as usual painless )only 1 ahrad of me in Bus Q) and I thanked my good fortune to be able to use this line (as had arrived with 30 minus before departure) and not Y line (20-30 deep). Ground floor security right next to check-in and got straight through. Up escalators to departure level, then the escalators to QC. Tried for ODU but just missed (3 allocated just prior to me getting there ). Knowing from previous posts that the Perth QC was undergoing refurbishment (and not having been there since Dec 02) was still surprised that the extensions haven't been completed. Existing Reception and CS Desks remain, but upon walking past, most beyond are undergoing change. New CS desk is built on the LHS after entrance and BAr has disappeared from RHS. Walking down, there are three white bays (2 for mags/papers and 1 for food) with original seating unchanged (those on the RHS with excellent views to the tarmac). 3 new meeting rooms on LHS are still being completed and toilets are situated up short corridor on LHS after meeting rooms - a big improvement (albeit same size as previous). Walking further, opens out to casual seating area on LHS and beyond is the Business Centre (2 rows of 5 cubicles, I think). Finally I cam eacross the ( much reduced in size ) bar and chugged a HP . Looking around, noticed the food display area (like BNE/ML/SYD QC's) hasn't been finished as portable table and food warmer looked out of place in the corner.
Pre-departure Flight was leaving from Gate 3 (right below the QC), which you access from the escalator in the QC. Seated in 8C (4th row of Y) in 737-400 which had 4 J rows (2x2) but J seating to row 7, converted to Y seating 3x3 format. Flight was full. Scheduled to leave at 5pm but left the fate 15 minutes late. Captain announced 2hr 18min flight time.
On-board Fa's were Julie (Purser) and Joely in J, Milly and ?? in my section of Y. Dinner was chicken salad, surprisingly my Special Meal was the same! Consisted of a mixed salad - 70% lettuce then two snap peas, a single tom thumb tomato (cut in half this time!), shredded carrot & celery, cucumber and Italian vinaigrette. Finished with bread roll and water. Landed on time and short taxi then braved the fresh night arir to walk across the tarmac to the Terminal (yes, Adelaide still has no direct terminal access!). Bags were first out this time and straight across to the taxi.
Hotel For me, the only Hotel in Adelaide is the Hilton. If you stay and get the Executive Club Room, say hi to Janine (at night) and stay for complimentary (full bar) drinks between 5pm to 8.30pm. That is where I am writing this. Although I haven't been in Adelaide for 5 months, she remembered what I drank (Virgin Mary to start, HP x as many as I can handle!!!). Great nibbles, cheese, dips, aahhhh, watching the sun go down over Adelaide....