Flying to Amsterdam

The plane left Brisbane late but we were upgraded to Premium Economy for the flight to Singapore.  The only problem with that is that the next leg was in cattle class and it seemed even worse than usual.  We were crammed in for 13 and a half hours.  Then 6 hours at Heathrow before 45 minute flight to Amsterdam.  Qantas was OK but everything pales to Singapore Airlines.  The experience at Schippol Airport in Amsterdam was the exact opposite of our last visit.  The staff could not have been more helpful and we walked straight out of the airport into a taxi.....

One funny thing at Heathrow, I think the staff all thought we were there for the Paraolympics- we got lots of big smiles from both the staff and the volunteers- and they kept trying to direct us to the Registration tables,

Wine and a Wheelchair in Stanthorpe

We recently decided to spend a weekend in Stanthorpe.  The first place Sully contacted was not wheelchair accessible but they suggested '31 the rocks'.  We decided to jump in with both feet and booked a Friday and Saturday stay. 

We were greeted by Phil Moyle who, with his wife Beryl, owns and created the place. The place consists of modern self-contained units set in 10 acres of bush. We were given a food basket which contained enough for two breakfasts and then taken to be shown the accommodation.  Phil has a friend who is in a wheelchair, and he sought his advice when he was building this particular cabin.  We were completely blown away by the place.  Not only was it completely accessible, the bathroom was fantastic and even the kitchen was at the correct height.  Phil is particularly proud of the cupboard under the sink (his own design) and indeed he should be proud of the whole set - up.  Even the laundry is accessible - he attached it to the back of the cabin after realising that changing the central laundry already built was not going to be easy.

The cabin was very easy to move around in and the parking was located just outside.  Phil was more than happy to suggest somewhere for tea and he suggested "The Rocks" which has just been taken over by new owners.  We had a very pleasant evening there and not only did it have the required ramp to the front door, it also had a disabled toilet.

We spent the next couple of days visiting wineries and enjoying a Christmas in July dinner.  On the Sunday we drove down to Wallangara to go to the Markets, which was a lovely way to finish the weekend.

Overall the accommodation was one of the best wheelchair accessible places that we have stayed.  I would be more than happy to recommend the place.


 www.therocksrestaurant.com.au

www.31therocks.com

Amsterdam Here We Come

We are about to head off to our least favourite city - Amsterdam.  The last time that we were there, they were ignorant and rude.  They obviously did not like wheelchairs or people in them.  When we arrived it took an hour for the aisle chair to arrive - that was after the guy showed up and just wanted Sully to walk to the door and the lift we had organised assumed he could climb stairs.  Then the Hotel (at $330.00 a night) gave us a room with single bunk beds attached to the wall.

This time we are staying a hotel that we checked out last time.  We would have moved but the first place would not refund our money.

Anyway we are only there 2 days and my niece and her boyfriend have arranged their travels so that they can spend time with us.  I promise to be good and not complain too much.

Whales, Wheelchairs and Redcliffe

Over the last couple of years we have been whalewatching at Redcliffe. You need to book in advance as they need to look at the tides.  This is because wheelchairs can only access one of the entry points and this can only be used for certain tides.  Other than that, the downstairs of the boat is accesible.  They also have a disabled toilet, however Sully did not use it as it meant staff having to help.  The cruise went for 4 hours and there is a disabled toilet available at the start of the jetty.  I just have one tip for you.  The first time we went we were put in the middle of the ship.  I guess this was because it was slightly raised.  However when we reached the whales, everyone stood up and Sully had trouble seeing all the action.  The next time we went I requested that they reserve a seat beside the windows.  At first they would not agree to this as they kept saying that you could move around the boat for a better view.  Finally I discussed this with the Manager - and pointed out that he could not move around the boat, we were return customers bringing additional friends, and there was no point coming if he could not see the whatles - and they ended up agreeing to my request.  This made the whold experience evan more enjoyable than the first time.  I would throughly recommed it.

www.brisbanewhalewatching.com.au

Come on Qantas

Just got told by our travel agent - the lovely Di from Flight Centre Booval - that Qantas cannot put confirmed regarding the wheelchair on our paperwork.  They have to put pending but they really mean confirmed.  But apparently British Airways can - really, how hard would it be to change the system.  Evan if I am over 50, I know the difference between pending and confirmed.  Surely it is just a matter of being able to change a word.  It would save Sully countless phone calls to try and get assurance that they really know he is travelling in a wheelchair and cannot walk. 

Come on people in IT - I know you think you are better than anyone you talk to on a phone - now show us that you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.flightcentre.com.au

www.qantas.com.au

www.britishairways.com

Movies at Ipswich

Last night went to the movies at BCC Ipswich  for a free screening of "The Sapphires".  The theatre was nearly full when we got there but the theatre we needed was wheelchair accessible - if you count a steep carpet covered ramp as good access.  Fortunately Sully can manage to get up these ramps - sometimes I evan help - but of coarse the best seats for us were taken - well people had put their jumpers on the seats and gone off to talk.  If it was me I would have stayed there until they came back and realised the error of their ways, but Sully just moved to the section right over on one side.  As he kept saying - this movie did not cost us anything.  For the record, the movie was great.

www.eventcinemas.com.au