There is nothing like a buffet breakfast at the French owned Shanghai Sofitel Hyland Club Lounge with its spectacular views of Shanghai city, to start a day. It is nothing as extensive as some of the buffets we have experienced but it does offer a variety of delicious Chinese and western foods, great smoked salmon and fine French cheeses. Best of all is the selection of freshly baked French bread; real French bread that is... and with real butter. The French certainly know what good food is.

Our t-shirts we bought the day before at the Taobao markets were far too small and we wondered if even the extra, extra large would be big enough. Fortunately, we located the shops we bought them from and it was as usual, no problem to exchange. This time I did try the t-shirts on with one of the shop staff holding up a sheet to protect my modesty! Even the largest sizes were pinchy but as we could not possibly ask for a refund, we decided we would use them as gifts. For whom, we had no idea.

It was our last morning in Shanghai, and the last full day of our trip away. After returning from the markets, we decided to visit our old haunts - and what used to be our favourite Shanghai shops of Bosideng and Giordanos, both located close to our Sofitel Hotel. Some years ago, these shops sold good quality clothes at very reasonable prices but during our last visits, the quality had become very poor and the styles were certainly not to our taste.

Alan soon decided he was not in the shopping mood. After all, we had no room in our dooner stuffed luggage and really we didn't need anything else. But of course for compulsive shoppers, "enough" is not a word in our vocabulary. To my surprise I found several items I really liked and wrestled between two lovely causal shirts. Both were on special but it was impossible to for me justify two - and how would I squash them both in our case? Reluctantly, I told the shop assistant that I would take the cotton blend and leave the linen top. To my amazement, she laughed and said that an additional special of the day was to buy a top and get one free! Well, what could I do?

The morning was soon gone, as was our overseas trip. Another nice aspect of staying at the Sofitel is that we could obtain a late check out then use the Club Lounge until we had to depart in late afternoon for Shanghai Airport. Again our China Eastern Airlines complimentary limousine was on time and efficiently sped us out to Pudong International Airport. Shanghai never fails to surprise us. Over the last ten years we have been privileged to see this city completely transform and there were more brand new skyscrapers than those we had seen being built the year before.

It is always sad to be leaving our favourite city of Shanghai but after four weeks travel we were looking forward to returning home to our beloved Crowdy Head - and most importantly our cat family. I must admit that we were tired and probably looking pretty dishevelled, but not THAT bad I would have thought.

Standing in the queue to our check in, an airport official politely tapped me on the shoulder and quietly but very clearly said in perfect English "Excuse me madam, but this queue is for Business Class passengers only". Stunned, I burst our laughing saying "You don't think we look like Business Class passengers do you?" The official apologised profusely but I think I noticed him trying hard to mask a big smile. Now I knew for certain I was the true the Bride of Frankenstein - but really this was just too much....

Our flight home with China Eastern Airlines was on time and as usual, very comfortable. It makes all the difference to have a good night's sleep on good flat aircraft beds.

Similarly, we experienced no delays with our REX Airlines flight from Sydney to our local airport of Taree. The flight is always scenic as the small Saab aircraft flies low, following the picturesque coastline with its fabulous sandy beaches. On a glorious winter's afternoon our flight took us from Sydney Airport right across Sydney Harbour over Sydney Harbour Bridge and the sail shaped Sydney Opera House, past The Heads (the harbour entrance) and across the bull nosed peninsular of Barrenjoey Headland. Sydney Harbour that afternoon was at its very best, a deep azure blue dotted with yachts and motor craft and flecked with an artist's flicked brush of gleaming silver boat wakes.

As we descended into Taree, it was obvious it had been a good season with verdant coastal pastures interspersed with the many full tributaries of a massive Manning River. We are always impressed with REX Airlines and are constantly amazed how the single flight attendant can take orders and serve coffee, tea and cold drinks within such a short space of time. It was a beautiful one hour flight and a lovely final leg of our journey.

At Taree Airport, we were delighted to see our good friend Peter Roberts who kindly offered to pick us up and drive us home to Crowdy Head. It was fantastic also to arrive home to a spotlessly clean house and our three cats who were obviously extremely well cared for by our friends Deb and Ian. They all looked in fine condition and were - surprisingly - pleased to see us.

A big thank you to Peter and Roz, Deb and Ian!