Cairns is the Great Barrier Reef. And even though bubbles were blown while in town, the underwater experience didn't brand my memory. Being a huge business run on a production-line basis, and being grossly overpriced and overcrowded, were.

However, just as the exit route from Cairns had been plotted, a yelp from another Land Rover Forward Control owner brought an abrupt halt to the proceedings. The night was typical of many in Australia so far - a chance meeting with like-minded souls ended with many unscheduled, but happy hours being spent together. I just hope they were as memorable to the guys I met as they were to me.

Above, Kev and Jo with their lads and super-capable 110 in Brisbane. Right, Tracey (of Tracey and Bob fame) between two LR FC's in Cairns.

Just some of the folks met along the east coast.

The 11th Commandment says: "When in Sydney, climb the bridge".

My subnote adds, "And if you do, you won't regret it".

A team of climbers (above) making their way down the giant Meccano construction on the right.

Sydney arrived on the horizon, and the Harbour Bridge climb beckoned.

Driving over the bridge is impressive, but walking up it puts anything Disney has assembled in their theme parks to immediate shame. This is real life, a piece of history and raw engineering beauty, all in one package.

After the truck and trailer had finished adding to Sydney's traffic jams (and road-toll coffers), it was time for it to head for Canberra. To "chez Isabelle and Mike", and that promised can of Guinness.

Before signing off for the time being, and as the wife has now made it to Canberra, for the numerate amongst you, try these numbers for size:

- 51216 km. (Or twenty eight and a half thousand miles in old money.)
- 8470 litres (1863 gallons) of diesel.
- Bucket-loads of enjoyment.

The celebratory Canberra Guinness. It's a long way to travel to unzip a can of Ireland's best black, but what a journey.

And hang on. The journey's not over yet. There's still the "... and back again" bit to do.