Wheel chair Ron makes his debut.

[offshore171]

Rang and they said sorry but we’re full on some nights next week so we can’t move you.

One thing about that specific hotel.

It is very commonly used by visiting sporting teams (NRL, AFL, Rugby, Cricket etc) who do big block bookings for their team and officials, which could amount to 30-40 rooms.

Given it's finals season, this could be why they are heavily booked.

Let's hope they don't pull any Pullmann actics!

 

[CaptJCool]

even walking around a shopping mall using my walker I feel I must be invisible as I get cut off frequently..
And don't start me on disability parking spots. 30-40% don't have stickers and those that do 40-50% don't meet the criteria. just being old does not entitle you to a parking permit. At Kawana I have seen a couple of times a young fellow pulling out a bollard and parking over the yellow line between disabled parks
But back to the subject yes it can go very wrong having a wheelchair and flying.
Makes it worse when you are no longer match fit.

For those wondering what Shane’s upto

Juno Adelaide

junoadl.com

Dolphin cafe opening spring 2026 at Pt Adelaide

 

[drron]

We'll be having lunch with my sister but certainly could meet up in the morning or evening, Friday we will be on the 1120 flight to MCY

 

[karen blancfield]

We'll be having lunch with my sister but certainly could meet up in the morning or evening, Friday we will be on the 1120 flight to MCY

I’ve missed what has caused this awful year for you. I thought nothing could beat your Japanese escapade. I’ve always appreciated helpful travel advice from you so wish you both a much better 2027 ahead.

 

[drron]

After landing I was asked to stay behind to wait for the wheelchair. there were 6 altogether with 2 in J. The 4v from Y were taken off first and the 2 of us were wondering what was going on. I was also upset because I didn't get healed of my problems on this flight. Presumably only a few destinations can this happen on.
The 2 of us had to wait because they brought our wheelchairs to the air bridge. Battery in and off we went. Got up to the gate lounge and realised I didn't have my carry on. The last I saw of it was with the FA getting off the plane. A staff member went to the plane nothing there.As I was explaing what it looked like a security fellow came along and said I saw a lady headed for the exit with a bag like that. So we all headed to the exit. There we met our son who was taking us to the hotel.
No sight of the bag so off to baggage services. The agent had just handed Mrdrron the form to fill out when a woman ran up with my bag saying we found this bag under Mum's wheelchair. So a simple mistake but all ended well.

On to the hotel. Welcomed as a diamond member and off we went to our downgrade with only a double bed. It got worse. The only plce "acessible" was the bathroom but it was a roll in shower. My wheelchair can;t be taken n the shower as the battery and/or the electric motors might be destroyed. For a fellow who had to go in using his walking stick the place was downright dangerous.The rails were in the wrong place and the floor extremely slippery especially when wet. I describe as my inaccessible room.
The rest of the room had absolutely no accessibility features. 2 chairs without arm rests and difficult for me to get out of.
here is the bathroom.


I will be asking at checkout how much discount we get for being a downgraded diamond member.

 

[Quickstatus]

Hmm that is indeed a mystery. I've seen plenty of these wheelchair miracles when the flight disembarks.

Is remaining wheelchair battery capacity measured in hours, % or bars?

 

[drron]

Battery charge represented by a green line. If it turns orange time to recharge.
for each person
Saturday evening it was down to the club. A plate of canapes for each person.


Nice selection. Weren't offered seconds but reasonable buffet with cheeses. meats. pickles. dips and fruit. Hard to take a picture from the wheelchair.
The view from the club.




Sunday morning and back for breakfast. From the buffet.


Mrsdrron had the American pancakes.


And I had the Beach Benedict.


One of the better eggs Benedict that I have had.
On all our visits to the club their have been very few others. The staff are fantastic.

 

[Seat0B]

So good to see you and @mrs.dr.ron back on the travel trail @drron. And super sensible of you to start with a smaller local trip before you really hit your straps again soon. I wish you both all the joys of travel.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

DrRonny your legend status grows day by day I am so in awe of you

Just one question - how do you and your better half consume all those delicious meals in the food pictures thread and both not look like Dr & MrsDrElephants?

 

[drron]

Thought it better to try things and see what problems there might be. having another short trip to Melbourne next month. I need some more practice with my wheelchair in confined spaces especially lifts
As to food we basically eat 2 meals a day. The only thing between meals has been the decadent afternoon tea.

But in saying that we come to dinner on Sunday night with our family and niece. We went to the Coogee Pavilion and their ground floor restaurant. A 500 metre trip. nearly came to grief on one section of footpath where tree roots had lifted the pavers. Ran into the surrounding mulch and the chair wouldn't budge but a kind young fellow came to the rescue. Told him how to disengage the brakes so he cold push me back to the path. I then took it much more slowly around the other four trees.
Then at the pedestrian crossing they had left about 6cm up to the path. These light weight travel wheelchairs often get caught in this situation and did on the first attempt. Again a fellow asked if he could help but I had a tick up my sleeve first. back off and hit it straight on at speed and hey presto you get over it.

The restaurant is very large and it was jumping at 1830. The family arrived at the same time. fortunately it was quite a while before our order was taken so a lot of catch up conversations were not interrupted. The food was very good but more expensive than on the Coast. Being family no on was surprised with me taking picture of the meals.
The menu






I had the barramundi


Smoked ocean trout salad.


Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding


pork chop


Bouillabaisse




A wonderful night.
Going back to the hotel we went on the opposite side o the road to the big trees. The last bit was steep so I had to push the chair to level 5 to get up the hill.

 

[Flyfrequently]

With your upcoming short trip to Melbourne, any specific questions/hotels/restaurants/sites that we Victorians can help you with @drron ?

 

[drron]

It’s a visit to our granddaughter who is nearly finished her first year at Melbourne University.,

 

[kookaburra75]

Going back to the hotel we went on the opposite side o the road to the big trees. The last bit was steep so I had to push the chair to level 5 to get up the hill.

@Cruiser Elite - from memory your business is in a related field to electric wheelchairs. Do you have any contacts who could trick up DrRon's chair to level 10 to give him a bit more oomph?

 

[tgh]

give him a bit more oomph….,

Iirc his wheelchair has only a small battery so a few more amps would drastically reduce battery life
There are some amazingly capable personal transport devices about but weight for travel is the issue, imo