Lay down at 1pm "for an hour", woke up at 7pm.

Heading back to bed again now.

Grrrrr, jet lag. Imma gonna give you this battle.

Made it through a whole day at work and even managed to pick up some food on the way home. Still going to be in bed by 9pm though... which is unheard of for me.

Lasted until 3pm at work then crashed. Hard. Jet lag sucks.

LGW - DXB - MEL

Long-haul flights are a killer.

Last real day of my six-week vacation... tomorrow begins the long journey back to Melbs. Boo. 

Of course, London, you turn on the most glorious sunset to farewell me. Twist that damn knife to remind me that I don't live in you anymore.

Bid farewell to my travel companion of the last six weeks this morning - she headed for Berlin and I headed back to Antwerp, via Efteling.

THEME. PARK. CHEESINESS.

Hilarious. So many roller coasters and kitsch rides, so little time.

Final day in Amsterdam. My holiday is coming to an end and I'm already feeling those post-holiday blues creeping up on me...

Amsterdam, Day 2.

4 Museums:

Anne Frank, Van Gogh, Stedelijk and Rejks.

SO. FREAKIN. EXHAUSTED.

Amsterdam, you are lovely. Your Sex Museum is also quite hilarious. And disturbing.

Off to Amsterdam at sparrow's tomorrow and I have a ton of work to do beforehand... guess I'll be sleeping in the car!

At the farmers' market in Antwerp, you can choose any ten cheeses for just €20.  SO. GOOD.

Oh hallo, Château Blanc, my favourite Belgian chocolate shop. I have missed you so.

OK so that dinner nearly broke the budget, but it was worth it. Food porn galore.

Also, it's my faux-son's 7th birthday and I totally indoctrinated him into the Hawks family with his own jersey. He needs something to balance out being a Chelsea supporter.

Au revoir Paris; hallo Antwerp. It's been a while.

Finally visited Père Lachaise today and made a stop at the grave of Jim Morrison. After all, he was the one whose story inspired me to escape my stifling Adelaide existence and travel the world twenty years ago. I thought I owed him at least a thank you visit.

Just leave me at Shakespeare & Company for the rest of my life and I'll be happy as a clam.

Went to the flea markets, spotted the Olsen Twins.

Mic. 

Dropped.

Just kidding. We've agreed if that's the best we can do celeb spotting Paris then the place really has lost its mojo.

Arrivederci Italy; bonjour Paris. So sad to leave the former, so excited to be re-visiting the latter.

And then there were three and we discovered San Gimignano.

OH.
MY.
GOD.

Heavenly.

Our time in Tuscany is almost done. It's so relaxed here, even though I've had to work and do a load of study. Can't I just stay forever?!

Thought I was going to have a nice peaceful day to myself while the newbies explored Florence. Not to be. Oh well.

A return to Pisa for airport collection and I managed to re-take the 'holding up the Leaning Tower' photo. Sometimes, you just gotta be a shameless tourist.

And yes, I totally hashtag-ed that.

Where I spent my afternoon... 

Cinque Terre, Italy. Total Euro cliche come to life, lying on a sunbed on a pebbled beach. Loved it.

We've been playing a lot of Heads Up this holiday... is everyone useless at the 'Hey Mr DJ' round or is it just me?

Midway point of the Tuscan adventure - we've farewelled two of the gang and welcomed two newbies, who are both AWESOME.

Last full day with one of my favourite ladies, who I only see about every 7 years. God I miss living in the same city as her.

Siena Cathedral. We climbed almost all the way to the top of the dome in the background... STUNNING.

I'm so in love with Italy.

A day of doing nothing but move from the villa to the pool and back again, followed by an awesome dinner out in the local village, where the view is amazing and a bottle of prosessco costs just €11. Montaione (Florence, Italy) we heart you.

Day trip to Florence... climbed a bell tower (despite my fear of heights!), had the most amazing lunch, found a gorgeous leather handbag, walked across the Ponte Vecchio and ate the most enormous melon gelato. Love, love, loving Italy.