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We finally arrived home in Sydney in the early evening. We caught the airport train to Central and walked up onto the country platform to catch a Blue Mountains train. We were a little saddened – the contrast with Roma Terminal, Gare du Nord or even Napoli Centrale is dispiriting. What must people think of us? 

We couldn’t make the phone work – so there was nothing for it but to walk from Warrimoo station, wheeling our luggage. We could smell the smoke hanging in the air. Exhausted, we staggered up Greens Road and home. You would think our adventures were over, but the night had a final surprise ...

We let ourselves in and were opening up the house - by this time it was very late at night. Suddenly four police cars arrived outside. Our security conscious neighbour, a policewoman, had decided to take no chances with strange people across the road in our house. We assured the massed constabulary that all was well.