Konnichiwa from Tokyo. Am just back from a trip to Australia, where I enjoyed everything I love about our terrific country: family, friends, coffee, the wattle, amazing stars at night and, oh!, fabulous fish and chips.

Mostly I was grateful to get into Western Australia for a reunion with my Fremantle-based son and for Mum and Dad’s 60th wedding anniversary. Am home now in Tokyo enjoying the cherry blossom, not in quarantine thankfully and reflecting on my six weeks on the road.