Lions tours are long.
For those who joined the squad in Dublin in mid-June, this trip has has lasted six weeks and has touched down in seven different cities, with nine days left to go before a group of close to 100 players, management and staff part ways.
We often hear players describe their Lions experience as life-changing. With that in mind, what has Andrew Porter learned on his Australian summer.
"I learned that babies get very big when you're away from home," the Ireland prop replied, after much consideration.
It's only nine weeks since the 29-year-old became a father, with he and his wife Elaine welcoming a baby boy in late May.
His son was only a few weeks old when Porter (below) had to link up with the squad and travel to the other side of the world, and while the Leinster prop admits it’s been a challenging time away from home, he knows he’s not the only person who has made sacrifices for his Lions dream to become a reality.
"I could say it's not easy for me but I don't think my wife would like that too much. I wouldn't get much sympathy," he laughed.
"It's that side of it as well. My wife is at home looking after our baby at the moment.
"She's the one in the trenches at home at the moment. I'm in the trenches over here. Well, I can't really say that. We're looked after here quite well.
"But it's a sacrifice on both ends.
"She's there with sleepless nights at home looking after him and I'm here representing my family, my country, and representing the Lions.
"It’s two different kinds of sacrifices. But I'll definitely owe her for this for a long time anyway."
While his wife and son are back in Dublin, homesickness has been somewhat eased by a large contingent of Porters following him in Australia.
His two aunts, Betty and Vera, have been based in Australia for decades, while Porter’s father, Ernie, made it out Brisbane just in time for last week’s first Test at Suncorp Stadium.
"He's having a nice old holiday," said the forward.
"We have a load of family down here as well, all around the place. Perth, Brisbane, most of them in Sydney.
"It's a good opportunity for him [Ernie] to go and meet up with all the family and everything. It's great for me as well.
"There's a lot of them I wouldn't have even met before. A few cousins and stuff, a lot of them I haven't seen in years and years.
"So, it's a great opportunity, obviously, to reconnect with family as well as being down here."
Last week, Porter (below) made his Test debut for the Lions, a second-half replacement for Ellis Genge in the 27-19 win against the Wallabies in Brisbane, but this time around it's the Ireland international who has got the nod to start in the number one jersey.
And after Genge spoke of how Porter was the first player to congratulate him on getting the starting jersey last week, roles were reversed.
"He was the first one [to congratulate me]," he said.
"It's been said so many times, but you come into this squad with perceptions of different players.
"You're so used to playing against them in the Champions Cup or Six Nations or wherever but your perceptions are dashed pretty much the minute you step in the door.
"Me and Ellis were rooming together as well, so I got to know him better. He's an incredible guy, an incredible player, and it's been great to build a friendship as well as learn from him.
"He's one of the best in the business so it's great being able to become closer as mates and learn from each other along the way.
"But yeah, he was the first one to congratulate me yesterday and sure he handed out my cap to me last week instead of my dad.
"So he's the dad of the squad. He's a great fella and a great player."
In his starting role, Porter (above) joins Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong to form an all-Leinster and Ireland trio.
Packing down with his club and international team-mates makes it all the more special.
"I'm delighted to be able to do it alongside them," he said.
"I just need to be on top of my game because they've had great tours so far so I just need to be able to make them look good.
"It's a dream come true, firstly just being a part of this squad and then hearing your name in the Test team last week was incredible.
"Hearing my name in the starting line-up for this week is another dream ticked off again.
"I'm just incredibly excited for the opportunity to go out there and play for this team and play with these lads who we've created such great connection with over the last few weeks.
"It's incredibly exciting and looking forward to ripping into it."
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