The day has come. We leave Edinburgh this afternoon. These photos sum up some of our mixed feelings.

Of course, we are sad that this stage of life’s adventure is drawing to a close but deeply grateful that we've enjoyed this wonderful gift. These faces along the path summed up our feelings as we completed the last section of the Water of Leith Walk a few weeks ago.

Another crossroad. Once in Canberra, we will study the map of life, listen for inspiration and direction ...

... and launch out on a new adventure.

The way forward is sometimes mysterious and full of surprises, just like the haar that rolls in off the sea at Portobello. Haar is a new experience for us. It is fog plus wind – quite different from the still blankets of fog we know in Canberra.

We leave an Edinburgh aglow with yellow gorse and spring blossom. We carry this spirit of celebration with us to niece Catherine and Justin's wedding in Brisbane next weekend. This shot of Salisbury Crags was taken on our last walk along the Innocent Railway and back through Holyrood Park, one of our favourite afternoon walks.

So we sail off downunder. The bird list is pretty long now. This brood of ducklings on the River Tyne at Haddington was the first we spotted this season.

This is our penultimate epistle. The last will come to you after we unpack in Canberra in a couple of weeks. Tomorrow, Bangkok.