Richard will tell you that I always strive to have the last word in all things, and so he has kindly let me add this last page to the diary having started it in the first place.

First and foremost we had an absolutely brilliant time. So many memories, so many different things done, so many lovely people, and so many happy days together packed into what now seems like a very short time.

Many people were concerned that we were in Australia with the raging bushfires, but although we heard about them every day on the news, and changed our plans at one point, we only came into contact with them once.

Our return flight from Sydney began with a short hop to Canberra where we had to deplane for 90 minutes. As soon as we touched down in Canberra, you could smell the smoke coming through the air ducts of the plane. Stepping off the plane onto the air bridge, not even outside, an acrid smell permeated the atmosphere and did so as we all sat in the lounge waiting to rejoin our plane for the onward journey to Singapore. It was a stark reminder of just what a nightmare these bushfires have been, and we were very grateful that we have managed to see Australia at its best.

The flight back was long. For me, an intermittent sleep on the first leg, A five hour stopover in Singapore with only a wander around the airport branch of Zara and a quick visit to the butterfly lounge (yes, it was full of butterflies) to pass the time.

Then it was back onto the Singapore Airlines A380 to Heathrow. Two meals, one snack, three movies, 20% of a book on Kindle and more visits to the toilet than I'm prepared to admit to (including one where I convinced myself I was locked in) and we landed on a darkening winter's afternoon at Heathrow.

This holiday was an ambition we held for ages. To be able to do it was brilliant. To bring back so many happy memories and to have spent so much good time together was a joy.