'People keep ribbing me' about the Ashes finishing prior to my arrival.
Sunshine, meat pies and world-famous cricket grounds - what else would an England cricket fan desire?
Realistically, they'd hope for an Ashes series in Australia where they retain a possibility to secure the famous trophy after the first three Tests.
Unfortunately, this scenario is off the table during this tour, after a comprehensive 82-run win in Adelaide left the home side with a 3-0 lead for the fourth consecutive series on their own soil.
England's famous supporters' group, the organized fan base, have a large group making the journey for the final two Tests in the SCG and MCG.
In addition, there are travel parties who will celebrate the holidays down under, as well as relatives and companions planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Fans with Booked Tickets
A group of four supporters are among those affected.
Alex, Sam, Rory and Katie had their itineraries and entry credentials secured for the Melbourne and Sydney matches "well ahead of time", anticipating a rare England series success.
Sadly, they've observed Australia defeat England convincingly in just under two weeks from their house in the north of England.
"Everyone at work has been giving me grief about it being over for the last two weeks," stated Sam Ryding.
"The hope was that we would have a meaningful contest by the time we arrived."
Lowered Expectations
There was plenty of positivity concerning a potential victory of ending their 15-year wait for a triumph on Australian soil prior to the first ball.
However, the situation is now staring down the barrel of prolonging a streak without victory in the country to 19 consecutive Tests when the fourth Test gets under way in Melbourne this week.
The England team - and their supporters - will be keen to prevent a whitewash.
It was mentioned that the "entertainment" of head coach the positive style of play in the past couple of seasons had "renewed interest in" the five-day game for England fans.
Yet the fans said they had realistic outlooks for the remaining matches - and all they are asking for from the players is "a bit of fight".
"Every pundit points it out, but it all comes down to mental resilience. 'The aggressive approach has been become a phrase now that is just, like, unrealistic play," commented another sibling.
"Over the course of five days, you should hunker down. Chasing balls 'wide of off stump has not been part of the coaching manuals, and that is largely because of the frontline batsmen."
Future Prospects
Prompted about he believed England will triumph in a Test in the current series, one fan responded: "The evidence suggests the Australians are superior currently."
"Necessarily, there must be more than one player that stands up for England and turns the game."
Regardless of the result, the group remains anticipating the trip.
"We will have a wonderful trip nonetheless," added another sibling. "We have to go with that attitude."
"Naturally, it's a let-down we don't have more to play for, but we have made a substantial financial commitment already."
"We will make the most of spending the festive season out there. Additionally, it's mine and Rory's first time abroad during the festive period."
A schoolteacher, Katie is intent on maximizing the lengthy journey as part of her time off.
"If all else fails, I can play golf to turn to," she added.