Help! The UK Government have stolen my passport and they're not giving it back.

To be truthful, that's not the whole story. But it sure feels like it. Recent snap changes to the way the UK Government processes visa applications meant I, and many others in the same situation, had to hustle to get an application in by the end of February deadline.

Unfortunately, I had to give them my passport as part of this. And they're not giving it back for up to three months.

Originally I had planned to submit sometime in March, after I'd used my beloved blue book to travel to Italy for a spot of skiing and then Marakech to get lost in the souks with my camera. Those trips have been cancelled. A short holiday to Berlin in May is also under threat.

It could be worse. For many antipodeans working in the UK and wanting to extend their time here, those applying after the cut off will now be required to go home to apply. An expensive and time consuming business.

But as an Aussie living and working in the UK, when the Man says jump, I ask how high. And give them my passport.
Life in London, despite the weather, is too good to be sent home right now.