Hold the phone... We re coming home!

Where have the last 18 months gone...

12 countries, 38 scuba dives, 100s of mosquito bites, over 8000 photos, 1 camera (despite the boat accident), hangliding, tree houses, African elephants, manta rays, surfing, zip wiring through the jungle, temples, gorgeous beaches, caves, millions of bats, sailing, trekking, Hobbiton, motorbikes, rice wine, rice whiskey, BBQs, white water rafting, yoga, Bintang, volunteering, homestays, Great Wall of China, weaving, bike rides, pandas, Angkor Wat, tuk tuks, building walls, sleeper trains, overnight buses, giggling kids, boats, 1 scorpion sting, swimming with dolphins, epic road trips, bungy jumps, crossing the Nullabor, sticky rice, epic reunions, connoisseur ice creams, mountains, getting lost, Asian elephants, stunning scenary, Kung Fu, Orangutans, 2 Christmas' in the sun, 1 new year on a beach and the other on a plane, Nasi Goreng, sunbathing, 7 'engagement rings', more gorgeous beaches, summits, sickness, spiders, bed bugs, kayaking, waterfalls, challenges, geckos, haggling, 1000s of smiles, loadsa new friends, coconuts, sharks, rock climbing, languages, naps, horse riding, wine tasting, more temples, deserts, kangaroos, amazing cities, ups & downs, villages, volcanoes, glaciers, camp fires, baggy trousers, islands, bridge climbs, Oreos, horse races, penguins, archery, Uluru, cooking courses, Komodo dragons, AFL, tea plantations, whales, Game of Thrones... And more!!!

And judging by all the white on this map there is still so much of the world to explore! Must get planning the next trip!

It was time to head back to the UK and what an incredible adventure we had been on!

Packing our bags for the last time was a strange experience, I think I threw out half of my clothes that were fine to travel in but not sure I could get away with holes in my shorts back home. Or even wear shorts! It's going to take a while to get used to the cold! I think New Zealand tried to prepare us though as we waited in the rain for the bus back to the airport.

It was to be a mammoth journey home flying from Christchurch to Sydney, Sydney to Abu Dhabi and finally Abu Dhabi to Heathrow!

But the 33 hour bumpy journey was all worthwhile when we were met by this warm family welcome!

I had the wonderful surprise of Battenberg cake and seeing my Nanna too, who I had been told wasn't going to be there sneaky!

I am happy to report that the dog and cat remembered us too!

A wonderful welcome home!

Huge thank you to everyone who helped to make this dream possible from the support back home to the friends we have made around the world. It wouldn't have been the same with out you.

And of course a massive thank you to the most awesome travel buddy and husband to be Dan! WE DID IT!!!!

So here's to the next adventure... Suggestions most welcome

Sxxx