Off to Perth we go

Well, we have a choice. 14 degrees, cold and rain in Adelaide or 24, sunny and fine in Perth.
I didn't need much convincing to pack my suitcase and head off to the airport this morning. Big thanks to Kay for telling me about the airport parking company she has used. Excellent service and very affordable. Mind you, they were so efficient that I ended up at the airport at midday when I really wasn't planning on being there until 12.30. I'd told my ladies to be at the airport at 1pm and I knew that at least half of them would be early so I had some quiet reading time until they started arriving at 12.30. Last one arrived at 2 minutes past 12 and she was very apologetic for being late, bless her. Everyone duly booked in and luggage deposited. I even got a couple of them to do their own kiosk boarding pass book in, which made them feel like they had mastered a major task which they previously thought beyond them. Our plane left on time and it was a very uneventful and quiet 3 hour flight. As I have three Margaret's in my herd of kittens I'm not sure how I will differentiate between them when I describe them, but suffice to say at this early stage that MS can talk non stop about nothing with a mouthful of marbles underwater. So it was very pleasing for all that she sat on her own so had no one's ear to chew for the duration of the flight. Whether you were the poor sod sitting next to her or not, we would have all heard her as I don't think she has a volume control.
Having arrived at Perth airport 20 minutes early, there wasn't a gate available for us so we had to come down the front stairs and onto the Tarmac, then a 5 minute walk to the terminal. Little M (okay so now I have 2 of the Margaret's identified) walks with a stick and has the annoying problem of not being able to walk and talk at the same time. Anyway she was never going to manage the steps so I waited with her until all of the plane alighted and then they got a mobile lift for her. Being the excellent tour director that I am, I found a wheelchair near the walkway, chucked Little M in that and finally got her into the terminal. All suitcases located, kittens herded outside to our waiting coach and a 15 minute drive into the city to our hotel arriving about 5 pm. Everyone booked in and sent off to their rooms to meet again at 6.30 to have dinner in the restaurant. MS has already told us that she has forgotten to pack her alarm clock so I've told her to get a wake up call as she doesn't know how to use her mobile phone alarm. Then she says she has forgotten to pack a torch whereby I assure her that they really do have electricity and light switches in WA and if all else fails turn her phone on, but I don't think she believed me.
The hotel is certainly not new or particularly modern, but the room is huge and clean so all good so far. My room has a tiny kitchenette with medium sized fridge, microwave, toaster, pots and pans, etc. but I'm not planning on cooking up a storm while here. It also has a small dining table and two chairs, plus a large 2 seater lounge. So, plenty of time to unpack and have a cuppa, then back downstairs for dinner. In getting the gang together I tell them that breakfast in the morning is available from 6.30 and we have to be in the foyer to be picked up for our tour at 7.20. I ask MS to repeat back what time we have to meet in the hotel foyer for our tour and she says 7.15. I have no idea what time she is likely to show up!!! I've written up who is in what room so at least I will know where to start my search for her when she is a non-appearance.
 The hotel restaurant had really nice meals but a bit expensive so probably won't regularly be eating here. Everyone ordered something different and it didn't matter if you had fish, prawns, chicken or salad, there was a little pile of alfalfa sprouts on top. I commented on this to which MS replied for all to hear that her brother calls alfalfa sprouts 'pubic hair'! I think I actually threw up a bit in my mouth!!!!! And so our holiday has begun....