Sunday. We leave today. There are a couple of hours to fil before we head to the airport, so we opt for a good walk before the 24hrs of flying. We end up at the ANZAC memorial; beautiful, and then we follow on to the promenade where we get a view of the Opera House, in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge; spectacular. On the way to the airport I get a message from one of our Phase 1 colleagues who is flying in, so we check our bags in and hang around to meet him. I’m surprised by how emotional I feel, our week together was so intense, and the circumstances so moving, our shared experiences have created a truly lasting bond. We say our goodbye’s and head to security and prepare ourselves for the mammoth journey ahead. The flights are as long and uncomfortable as I imagined, my neck aches so badly. At one point during the second leg I go down to the back (its only a short walk) and chat to a steward; thinking I’m so tired we must be close now. But he says 7 more hours! We finally get to London and then off to HQ for a de-brief before heading home.
Home is quiet, obviously. I watch the news; Storm Dennis has caused chaos. Yes it has, and sadly a woman is feared dead. But I find it hard to tolerate some of the sensationalism. I’m genuinely sympathetic to the plight of those affected, and no doubt they are devastated to have their homes and lives disrupted, possessions damaged; but I contrast that with those who have lost everything; their houses are no more, their possessions are now just ash and their livelihoods are gone. The bushfires have been life-changing for them, and me.