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First Rain of the Games Sydney. 9/25/00 I'm staying at a lovely cottage in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and hoping for the first rain and fog of the Games to end. Air New Zealand would not allow 2 carryons (and didn't even want me to carry the computer/camera gear aboard). Flight was fine, lunch was served - I didn't realize it would be my last meal of the day. Express check in at Sydney was anything but express. Flight arrived about 4:30 but it was 7 p.m. before I left with the rental car. Getting out of airports is always "interesting" and of course, I took a wrong turn and knew it immediately. Stopped at a Mobile station, where a very nice gentleman named Sam not only marked a route on my map but led me through the residential suburb to King Georges Road. His instructions were great, and the route led right by the Sydney Olympic park --- traffic is very light as most people are using the train / bus. It was starting to sprinkle and turn dark. As the road climbed into the Blue Mountains, it became foggy. Was I ever glad to finally arrive at Gabbinbar resort. The apartment is spacious, the whirlpool this morning with heat lamps. I was too late for dinner, so chocolates made do. Watched the track & field and then turned in. Only to be awakened about midnight when two very polite Japanese gentlemen unlocked the apartment door and were quite surprised to find me in "their" room. They had stayed in the apartment the night before and were just getting home from their day at the Olympics. They did not understand that they were moving to a larger two bedroom suite, so I had company at midnight. A call to Michael, the resort owner, who was afraid this might happen, and he escorted them to their new suite. At 7 a.m. this morning, I was not surprised when their driver arrived and awoke me. Time to get up anyway. After the long trip from the airport, I am getting a bit more used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road. Ann and Michael have set up space in their office and I'm online. Dressage starts tomorrow and I'm planning to leave here either via train or rental car at 6:30 a.m. First ride is at 10:00, but the gates open at 8:30 a.m. Trains and busses are free on the days you have Olympic tickets. Seeing "please close the gate so our dog won't get out" and big bones in the yard, I asked and was enthusiastically greeted as only a lab can do by Pippa, an 8 month old black Labrador puppy. This is a great place to be. Not seeing the coffee pot on the top shelf, I went to the German bakery for coffee -- excellent. Everyone is so friendly and eager to make guests welcome. I'm advised to pick up something for breakfast tomorrow from the bakery and make coffee in my apartment. Despite the foggy rainy weather, this Blue Mountain area is lovely - wooded paths with flowers and exotic birds beckon. I'll wait for the sunshine. Hoping to trail ride on Thursday in between the Grand Prix and the Special Dressage report tomorrow as soon as I get home from the Horse Park.
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