Journey's End

Well that's it, it's done! All those mornings walking up the Strand after a 90 minute commute, dreaming through the windows of the various territories shop windows, looking at toy kangaroos, now I have seen them wild in the bush; looking at boomerangs and aboriginal people, now I have tried to throw a boomerang and have meet so many amazing aboriginal people. Then there were the photos of Sydney Bridge and Opera House. I can see me now, aged 18, cup of coffee in one hand, work bag in the other dreaming of visiting this far off land. Now I have, I have lived the dream totally.

Hong Kong was totally amazing. I had no preconceived thoughts about the place but boy it was totally amazing! The number of people, the shed volume of them, just like ants scurrying on their way. The smells, the colours and the bright lights. Most of all the smiles. I remember one evening getting some street food. The two so women cooking spoke no english, I speak no Cantonese, we just smiled at each other, as simple as that. A smile needs no language. I pointed to the food and they described what I was lol guts and tongue lol.

Then the bib Bhudda. Wow. Lighting some incense for my dad was so emotional, he got me hooked on Bhuddas. I wonderful moment. And Victoria Harbour, so beautiful. I would never get bored of looking at that.

Then on to Sydney and my tears of joy as the plane dipped it's wings and I could see the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. The tears just wouldn't stop lol. To sit each night at Sydney Harbour tapping into some free wi fi was wonderful. Watching the ferries come and go. Amazing. The Blue Mountains, breathtakingly beautiful. The air so clean you could taste it and the blue haze over the mountainous ridge. Then there's Meg my wombat lol. Another dream achieved to sit stroking her, to be so near lol. I still can't believe it.

Off then to Uluru, the heart of this amazing country. See see the sun rise over Uluru on what was my dad's birthday was so special. Seeing Valerie, the aboriginal woman, paint my painting. Ten the stars - wow. How small did I feel in this universe of ours! The night sky was astonishing, absolutely mind blowing.

I could happily move to Port Douglas tomorrow! It's like heaven on earth. So peaceful, so laid back, nothing is an issue. So warm, the tropics, rain and all. To see the rainforest and the wonderful greenery, amazing. Then Tilly the koala lol. All my maternal instincts clicked back in as I rocked her like a baby as she slowly closed her eyes, totally, totally amazing. Then more wombats lol, watching them being fed, so cute. I just love them!

Then I guess my nemeses, the sea. I was terrified, trying to be brave lol. Meeting Emma from Toronto helped as she thought I was mad and we just laughed and laughed. Getting into that bloody Lycra suit was so funny, then the flippers lol, mask and tube lol. The fear when I launched myself off the platform was soon replaced with sheer joy and childlike enthusiasm as I regulated my breathing and just went for it. The colours and shape of the coral and the gorgeous fish just swimming around me, arms distance, just swimming around. Totally, totally wonderful. Emma and I were snorkelling for two hours! We had no idea of the time. We were just like children in total awe of what we were seeing and doing. Like I said at one point I thought to myself, I am snorkelling in Australia at the Great Barrier Reef, lol how totally amazing is that. That day will be one that I will always remember. I did it, I conquered my fears, head on and it was amazing.

So here I am now, with a kangaroo on my plane lol on a huge A380 airbus making my way back to the UK! 35 hours of travelling and I don't care, I've done it, I have totally lived my dream and so much more. I left Manchester beaming and I haven't stopped, I can't stop smiling.

As most of you know my life is now on a completely different track and it's ok, it's all ok. I have my new house, Jude House to look forward to and I'm excited about it lol. I have more places to visit including Canada to see Emma lol, Uganda to see Ian lol, Vietnam to see the child I sponsor and who knows where else. There's a big wild world out there and like I have always said to Meg go and explore it and that's what I intend doing.

But for now it's back to England, to make my new home, to see my wonderful friends and family and most of all to see my Hetty and for us to be happy and safe in Jude House. Where, my friends, you are all welcome!

I hope you have enjoyed my blog. Apologies for the typing errors, but the iPhone screen can be small, coupled with tiredness and too much Chardonnay or too many cocktails. I've enjoyed sharing my trip with you all and have felt your love and kindness thought my trip. Not once have I thought I was on my own, not once. So all that remains is for me to say thank you for being there for me and continuing to do so as I start a whole new chapter of my life. As Guy Garvey sings ........ I love you mates xx