Being a ‘stranded Australian’ in London brought multiple cases of COVID-19, quarantines and lockdowns

The police sergeant was welcoming us to quarantine, wedged in the doorframe of the bus.

“We’ve heard every excuse under the sun to get an upgrade, but the answer is no,” he said. “Try picking up the guitar to pass your time.”

A small carry-on bag sat between my feet. Did he mean the ukulele?

“Where have youse flown in from?” he continued.

“London,” a small voice offered.

He jumped backwards off the bus. “I thought it was NZ.”

That would have been too easy.

After almost a year, five cancelled flights, possibly three cases of COVID and thousands of dollars, we had finally made it home.

The long road home

Arriving in Australia is entirely different to landing in the UK, where borders have remained open and quarantine is completed at a nominated…