Departing London on the 7th October, 4 days after Mum had left; I arrived back in familiar old B-town to a cloudy (though muggy, not cold) day. It was a great surprise to have Alex and Georgia at the airport to greet me, though I was very confused and exhausted by the time I finally stepped off that Virgin Blue flight from Sydney!
Only 4 days later, I had collated all the necessary (plus some more) documents to apply for my UK Ancestry Visa (thanks grandad). I nervously sent it away on the 14th October, having already completed my biometric test on the 13th, and hoped for a speedy and positive response!
During the "visa-wait" I have been able to enjoy the best out of what I had hoped to do during my time at home. My check list of must-dos has been answered:
- Beach time (any beach'll do!) - CHECK
- Byron Bay trip - CHECK
- Verve dinner (including delightful $4 house wine) - CHECK
- Dinner at Valley Corner - TO DO
- Breakfast at Expressohead - TO DO
- Trip to Valley Markets - CHECK
- Night of dancing with the girls - CHECK
But other wonderful things I have enjoyed include: Breakfast at Little Larder (yum!), Breakfast at Salt (yum!), a couple of beers at the RE (god, it's been a long time), dinner at Lefkas. Plus so many visits, laughs and randomness with everyone here. It's been such fun! But I am ready to jump on my plane and head back home to London.... but where is that visa?!
On the 18th November (5 weeks later!) I received an email from Canberra to advise me that my visa is APPROVED! HOORAY! I expect to receive my gorgeous little passport, fit with UK Ancestry Visa, within the next 5 business days (hopefully less, of course) and then I will be jetting it back to London (hopefully will have time to visit Mel in Sydney for a day or two as well) via Seoul where I have to make a short stopover.
Now, when I do get to Heathrow and flash my new visa at Passport Control, I will be secretly praying that Nick has remembered to bring my winter coat with him to the airport.... so I don't FREEZE TO DEATH IN LONDON! Welcome home?
