Kerrie's Review

After an early start from Sue's, we finally made it to Sydney and the hotel without too much trouble. Booking the luggage in was fun, only 7 bags and 2 hangers for one person staying one night...it's a long story. Then it was time to go and find David Jones!!! Thanks to a very timely meeting with Jo and Garry, we managed that fine too.  Then it was time to find some of our friends. Fortunately I had met Margaret before, so the search for a familiar face began. We not only found Margaret, but Jennie as well. Then we found the "girls" from Newcastle and eventually just about everyone else. We joined the queue and the wait began. I don't think any of us minded waiting, we were so excited anyway the time went rather quickly. Of course the fact that they were playing snippets of Michael on a television might have had something to do with that! Then the moment we had all been waiting for, the first look at Michael in Australia. I know for some of you lucky people, this wasn't your first look at him, but that's another story. Everyone cheered when he came down the stairs, although I didn't get a good look at his face at that stage...too far away, I think he was surprised by the number of people there. It seemed to take an age once he finally got down to signing things for the line to move, but it did eventually and we edged closer and closer to our goal. Sue and I had bought "signature bears" for everyone to sign, I didn't think of having Michael sign it at first, but then thought it was a good idea. I put it down in front of him and he took it and put it with the rest of the gifts people had given him. I had to say "no Michael, that's mine", to which he replied "OOOHHH" and then gave it a cuddle before signing it. I had to rely on Sue to tell me that bit and also the comment he gave after I presented him with something else. I had bought him a baseball cap with "Adelaide" on it and a little furry wombat for Connor. It was the wombat that brought the comment of "Bless you" from him. Then around the table for that all important photo! The best was yet to come for me though. As I went around the table, Michael half stood with pen poised as if to sign my t-shirt. Now I do remember what I said then... "OOOOO, YES PLEASE", so he did, that made my day and I have the photo to prove it. I somehow got off the stage and joined the group to one side. I have to say the only down side to this wonderful time was the security staff. If that woman got her head in one photo, it must be in hundreds! The bloke that was standing off to one side was not nice either. I thought I would keep an eye out for Mandy as I knew her plane didn't get in until quite late, even later as it was delayed, so I was having a look along the line for her. I didn't actually see her, but just as I was about to give up, she spotted me and called me over. After chatting for a while I thought I'd take another photo of Michael from a different angle, so stepped forward to do so. That was when he "pounced". I was told to step back and I said to him that I just wanted a photo and would do that. Was he going to take that? No way...STEP BACK. Once more I said I just want a photo and his comment to that was "We are concerned for Michael's safety. I said in rather an irate voice that I was not about to attack him, took my photo and moved off. Why do they have to do that sort of thing, no one there is likely to do anything to harm Michael, not after waiting so long for him to come to Australia?

Well, I'd better leave it here, getting rather long, but I will be back for the next instalment at another time.