was burly, black and a bit battle-scarred. I forget most of the last night. I packed, and gave my jar of Vegemite to Susan, which seemed to be the least I could do to thank her for her kindness. In the morning she took me to the airport. Unlike Sea-Tac, where I had been body-searched, security ignored me altogether, and I was popped into a room with my travelling companion, a little old lady who had fallen ill while visiting relatives and who was more than a little ga-ga. She always took the call to fasten seat-belts as her cue to get up and go wandering off in search of her medication. I don't really care to recall the horrors of flying from Vancouver to Melbourne in one long haul (it's amazing how easily the lurid details spring to mind). I nearly cried though, when I got on board the plane and the pilot addressed us in a robust Australian accent. Nearly a day later I choked up again at the sight of Sydney Harbour (and you have to remember that I'm from Melbourne). I had a great time on my trip, and I met some fascinating people. All the same, when we landed in Sydney and I sat watching a man in overalls racing up the aisle spraying insecticide all over the place, I was really glad to be home. – 20 –