So we’re back and finding our feet. Almost three weeks back in the country and we have a new (to us) scooter, a deposit on a new (to us) car and we get to move into our house in six weeks or so.

I’m now going to be teaching at a Brisbane university for a short time, which is exciting. Great new campus, fun things happening, and the potential for a career in academia, probably what I’ve been gravitating back towards after these several years in the cruel, dull, real world.

Life here at my mother’s place is settling down, though you never really want to move back in with your parents, do you? Normally, this event would be an admission of defeat, a mark of failure, but I promise you we have not; this is simple convenience. Plus it saves on rent and moving twice.

Brisbane is still the lovely place I remember, no rose-tinted glasses required. The weather is stunning every day, the traffic not an issue, the trees everywhere and the people relaxed and friendly. Some things are more expensive than we remember, but not many. These days, there’s more of an air of sophistication as the town becomes a city.

Air is clean. Cats and kids have space to play. Fruit and veg still taste like food and cost (more or less) what they should. Haven’t found any decent French bread yet, but will continue the search. Across town on a weekend morning, crap is sold from garages instead of car boots.

Friends are found at parties on verandahs, at their houses up hills, or not at all if they sleep right through the plan. Family is close, or close-ish. But they’re nearer than they have been, just a quick drive and a long chat away. That’s a valuable thing. Apologies to our other friends and relations to whom we are no longer near; hope to talk to you soon.