Touch down and are greeted with a typical Melbourne winters day, it is what it is. We make our way through the maze, harder to get into Australia than any country that be have been and we are natives, strange really.

Kathy, Maddie and the Don are greeted by their eldest daughter Sam, always nice to see that family face, disappointed that the brass band not in attendance for our return .

It is all over so quickly, we have spent eight weeks together and then in a blink of an eye they are gone - all over red rover. I am writing this days blog some four days later and I miss them already, they no doubt seeking some respite from my at times relaxed intensity. Still, I am what I am, I do try my best to fit in but at times it is a real struggle for me.

M-L and I wait to be picked up by Chloe, Gemma and my mate Cooper, much mirth on their arrival. It is good to go but also good to return. Meet up with family during the rest of the day, firstly at Grandmons for mid morning soup then crash back at our real home base from mid afternoon. Dinner with all the family including my other best mate Beau. Great to hear the banter in the room and fight to get a word in each ways, hit the sack at seven bells content that the mission has been accomplished.

FOOTNOTE : For those who's time I have greedily taken during the past twelve weeks I thank you as it has indeed been my indulgence to scratch out these words that form my / our travel blog. It really has been a truly memorable trip, one that can not be taken away from us with memories forged forever.

My kindest regards to you on behalf of the entire cast, especially the main performers - John, Maddie, Kathy, Donny, Mary-Liz and yours truly.