Last day. We had to do something quintessentially Australian, so naturally we went to visit the home of the bloke that wrote the unofficial national anthem.

There once was a swagman camped in the Billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree;
And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling,
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me."

Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water-bag-
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?

Fine words from Mr Andrew "Banjo" Patterson, of Rockend, NSW. And a very fine home he had overlooking the Parramatta river. Now also home to a rather nice eating spot. His home was built in 1830 so counts as one of the oldest surviving houses in Australia. Unlike many things in Oz that tend to be on the large side, this was small and felt like an English pub (which was how it had first been used). Mr P is the bloke on the Aus $10 banknote, by the way.

Happy birthday to Maddie, 14 today - and may she go waltzin' with Matilda (and the rest of her mates) for many more birthdays to come…

Still on a vaguely musical theme (Waltzin M, but strictly no Rolf Harris) this is the time to put in a plug for Aussie music, or at least the small sample of it that I have picked up while over here. By way of current musicians and bands, Nick Cave and Of Monsters & Men are well worth a listen. Digging into the past, I'm planning to find more time for Paul Kelly, The Church and the Whitlams. Among others - and that list avoids the plain obvious names like INXS and Crowded House. My "best of Oz music" playlist is going to see plenty of action in months to come.

So...this is wrap it all up time (apart from any retrospective to be posted on getting back to 'the homeland').

The best way to sum up an overall impression is - you have to come and see the place. Blogging is pretty inadequate to paint a picture of something that needs a very, very big canvas. More than some other places where history or culture comes neatly packaged in coach-tour proportioned composites of castles, palaces, temples, museums and parasol-saturated beaches, Australia gives up more of itself in overheard conversations, the wisdom of barmen and waitresses, immersion in ordinary life and the surprise of whatever vista lies around the next corner of the highway. Whatever that view may be - cliffs, ocean, mountains, rolling plains, or urban sprawl - it is certain to be on a bigger scale than what you've seen before. At least, if you come from Warwickshire.

Funnily enough, if you are lucky enough to come from Shakespeare country or anywhere else outside major cities, the pace of life, alongside the friendliness and courtesy of people, make Australia almost home from home. Distinctly different to overcrowded, over-heated & over-stressed areas like London/the M25 zone. And of course the language helps! But it is expensive in Australia so save the pennies before booking tickets.

It may be corny, but to conclude, another line from Banjo P seems the best way to end: "We're all Asutralians now…"