This will be the last blog I write from Canberra. It is actually about the weekends I spent in Sydney and Beechworth, but was too lazy to write about after the event. Also, last week I got the news of a life time. My Settlement Visa to the UK was granted. Yes!!!! 18 months of planning and separation from Pippa has finally come to an end. I am leaving Canberra on Saturday 18th for a few days in Gosford and Sydney then I fly to London on Wednesday night. But more about that later. This is a blog entry about Sydney and Beechworth.

Two weekends ago I went up to Helensburgh to see Tina, Andrew and Andrew Jr. It was a chill out weekend with hot chips on the beach and red wine. Something I have discovered about red wine on this trip was the effect it has on Wii chin ups while travelling the Wii world looking for Wii Japanese fans and Wii American hamburgers. Your chins ups become slower by 20% under the influence of red wine. I am sure Tina can confirm this. Therefore I have decided in the future to avoid chin ups.

Also I have discovered a liking for 3 cheeses pastry things where the cheese is so blue it looks green. One can never have enough blue in a cheese. Something I am sure Tina will also confirm. But this is not a food blog, it is a travel blog and all travels must include fond farewells and this one is to Helensburgh and all the special people there. I will miss you incredibly. But we will always have the Easter Show (my first emergency training) and Midori and beach bon fires. Stay in touch as 30 years is too much to let a hemisphere get in the way of.

Last weekend was a quick trip to Beechworth. Sorry for all the other people on the border I was not able to catch up with. Thank you to the Wilkos so much for a great weekend. At last I have seen Darcy ride his bike on a bowl. Also remember that the Bright spud shop, the Bright chocolate shop and Mt Buffalo must never be ignored, so Ranee, get Ronnie out there ASAP. Remember good chocolate waits for no man. See you in January Llewy.

To everyone following this blog thank you so much for everything. I will finish this blog as intended when I am home in England. The last entry was always going to be that way. I really never thought it would be 18 months long and include returning to Australia.

But now that the UK government has seen fit to let me live with Pippa in England I shall be flying out of Sydney on Dec 22nd. And I will have Christmas in London. That is the best present I could have.

I have 3 shifts, 1 breakfast @ Tilley's and 1 dinner out left in Canberra. So long to all and keep in touch.