Well, got meself a fancy wings. They are better for building than cloud pet - the wings don't slow down mining.

As for the End and the mining portal - no luck. When I appeared, the portal was broken, only top 5 blocks left.
Maybe the obsidian platform got respawned?
I got out using Nether Portal pet, appearing very close to the city portal in Nether.
I decided not move and fix the End mining portal because it is quicker to return via Nether Pet, right?

Heh, nearly died there - that dragon breath eats health ignoring gravi armor. Also I was waiting till the dragon start breathing so didnt pay attention to some purple particles on the ground