Carol kings' words have never seemed more right than, well, right now. I'm so close to home. How easy it would be to stay a little and slot back into my old life. My mum makes it too easy. 'Why don't you just stay one night at home?' I let the thought permeate in my head...eating my dads' lamb roast, going for a drink at the Manly wharf bar, hanging out with my friends, waking up in my old room and sleeping in my old bed... This is the highest and lowest point of my trip so far.

I'm so close to home but have never felt so far away. Yesterday we passed about 4 people during the whole day. There is nothing out here but parched earth and telegraph poles. The constant shaking of the carriage is testing my patience. It's as if it's doing all it can to break me. I'm too stubborn for that. Just found out that the train won't get into Sydney now until tomorrow afternoon. And that I have a heap of stuff I have to do when I am there. It's been over a year since I have seen them. Dad is a big softy and guaranteed to be in tears within 3 seconds. Mum and I pay him out, but secretly love his ability to give into his emotions. Mum's the tough one and able to withstand anything that dares. It's going to be so hard to see them for such a short time then walk away. Don't think dad will be the only blubbering mess.

Windows have become my screens over the past 2 weeks and screens my windows. I was woken up by the London office at 5am so watched the day come in. Sometimes it's frustrating to be so close but not be able to reach out and touch. How different it would feel if i could plant my feet squarely in the sand, lie stretched out on the grass, float aimlessly in the ocean - my favourite thing in the world. Passing through Australia, it's impossible not to be blown away by just how must space there is out here. So much room to breathe. I must say, after a month in London I often need to get out... stretch my legs, arms and, well, soul. I sit here again gazing out the same window watching the day pass over and another be born. It's pretty cool.

One of the guests had a tanty when she discovered that the map of Australia in the dining cart, didn't include her home land, Tasmania. The energy on board is getting a little angsty. I think cabin fever is kicking in. She got on her soap box, had a good old whinge and everyone ignored her...

Today we passed through Cook - the most remote town in Australia. Not only does it have an exclusive country club AND an evacuation point, it's also teaming with wildlife.

We've made a big stab at the world's longest straight stretch of railway. The Nullabor Plain is so vast that you could fit more than two United Kingdoms in it.
The shelled earth, so thirsty and baron, stretches on forever. There used to be an ocean covering this entire land, something very hard to imagine in its current state. Such a shame to watch it all speed by through a rectangular window. Feel like bubble boy. Really want to jump out, feel the red earth under my feet and breathe in some fresh air.

Last night was the roughest night sleep of my life. After a medical emergency and mechanical problem The Indian Pacific was running a few hours behind schedule. The captain must have decided to put the pedal to the metal in an attempt to make up lost time, as this little choo choo train shook all-night-long. I felt like the spider in the ten year old boys' jar, and by the bleary eyed faces of some of the Nannas at breaky, I was not alone.

'Straya = Australia
Howarya = How are you today?
Struth and flaming corker = Oh my!
Mondy, Tuesdy, Wensdy, Thursdy, Fridy,Satdy, Sundy = Days of the week.
Whoop whoop = Long distance
You flamin' mongrel = You bother me
Budgie smugglers = Swimming briefs
Galagh= You big silly, you
Mate = A stranger who is now your friend
Bugger-me = You don't say!?
Bonza = Very good
Get a dog up ya = Do have a try
Get it intaya = Consume this with enthusiasm and tell me it's good
Tickle me pink and call me Larry = That's a surprise
Cut off my legs and call me shorty = That too is a surprise
Little Boy or Footy Frank = Cocktail Frankfurt
Pluggas = Flip flops
Shazza= Woman
Bazza = Man
Rip snorter = Very good

Our Skype Nomad arrives in Sydney at 2pm local time on Saturday (7am BST Sat, 2am EST Sat, 11pm PST Fri). We'd like to get your advice again on what she can do when she arrives. She will be on her 3 Skypephone so either Instant Message "theskypenomad", give her a call and leave a voicemail or leave a comment on the blog. Get in touch.

Chatting to the train manager on-board the cross Australia Indian Pacific train.