The Meaning Of Life

As most of you are aware - which is really just Wendy - this suburban family of four has returned to its version of suburbia in inner Sydney. I'd like to think that "the adventure" is not over, but at least in the conventional sense it is.

One of our last experiences in the US was to visit Tiffany's brothers in San Francisco. As this was only the second time she had met her older brother Mark and the first time she had ever met her eldest brother Jeremy, this was an important occasion. We were also welcomed by their respective spouses June and Wendy and a gaggle of cousins for Holden and Phoebe - Elizabeth, Alexander, Nathan and Lauren.

Walnut Creek is a fair way from the city and we also managed to go via two of San Francisco's three major bridges, making it a substantial journey. Which is just a round about way of saying we were late.

It might have been unsettling for siblings raised under such different circumstances to meet for the first time, but it was almost like an innate familiarity existed and within minutes the normal noisy din of family get togethers everywhere was underway. There were tears caused by the traditional swordfight between cousins; laughter caused by the traditional poking-of-fun at a shared relatives; and of course much photography.

We are extremely lucky to be part of such a strong and resilient family and I really look forward to seeing them all again "Down Under".

So the next day it was back to the airport to be fingerprinted and photographed - like the common non Americans that we are - and back on our 14 hour flight to Sydney. As soon as you step onto a Qantas flight the Aussie accent welcomes you back home and in a way you are.

The kids are back at school now and we're both well on the way to re-employment. Our journey is over, but hopefully not the adventure.