Wednesday;; Day 16! My last day in my home-town, Burton-on-Trent.

This morning I set off on a little hike from my Aunty's house to visit my old neighbours house from when I used to live here. I am visiting my Neighbour after calling her yesterday to her surprise! She is in her 80s bless her, still lives in the same huge Victorian house and is as lively and youthful as ever! Her name is Daphne. The sun is shining and it feels good to get my legs moving!

Upon arriving, I have a quick look at my old house, wondering if I could ever see inside it again...there's a 'for sale' sign that's apparently only just gone up..who would ever want to sell this place.

I walk up to Daphne's house, and she seems so excited as I get closer and give her a big cuddle and kiss. The last and only time I've seen Daphne since I left England was in Australia, back home in Adelaide when she came over to visit her daughter and family (who we became friends with, and there's a really interesting story about how but!) about 10 years ago. I've definitely grown since then lol! She laughs and smiles and grabs my hand to take me inside and immediately walks me around the rooms saying 'do you remember it!' - yes! It's just as I remember it! Such a beautiful home!

We talk about how her family is doing including her grandchildren that I used to play with when they would come over; we talked about how my family is back home; and we talked about my travels and how I'm off to Spain. She got her old-school Atlas out so she could see exactly where I'm going!

I mentioned how I noticed my old home was up for sale and that I had given the Agent a call who is selling it to see if I could be nosy and have a look around but he didn't answer. (I didn't expect I would be able to anyway!) Well, upon hearing that, she said to me 'do you want me to call Katie (obviously who owns my old house) and see if you can go over and have a look?' Before I could say anything she continued, 'they have been away so they might not even be there but let me try anyway!' Omg!!!! Haha okay! A little overwhelmed, she calls Katie but the phone rings out so we think she must be out...2 seconds later, the phone rings and it's her! Daphne tells her that the old owners daughter is here and would like to come over. Apparently Katie responds 'yes yes yes, send her over now!' I couldn't believe it! All of a sudden, my wish had come true and I'm about to step inside my old home that I seriously love so much and always think about.

I walk over and head up the steps to the front garden; no. 56 Spring Terrace Road, Stapenhill... I still remember the home phone number we had as well! And the long post code! As I walked up to the house and down the side to open the gate and go around the back (I was asked to go round the back but I would have done that anyway as it still feels like home!) I couldn't wipe the smile off my face! I couldn't believe it!

I get to the back garden and am greeted by a lovely lady, probably about 40 with brown hair and similar characteristics to my own Mother (how weird). She's smiling, says hello and gives me a big hug and kiss like we already know each other! She tells me that they have been wanting to meet the old owners if they ever came down from Australia so that they could look around the house! Well, the daughter will have to do for now! She seems really happy to have me there which is so warming and kind of her. I stand there in amazement and literally don't stop smiling until after I leave over an hour later!

The garden has changed slightly and we talk about how it used to be and what's she's done. I love it! We walk inside through the side French doors, which used to only be full length windows, into the kitchen-family room that used to be the 'games' room when we owned it with a full sized snooker table. I cannot believe my eyes! It has changed so so so much it's crazy! It's this huge kitchen/dining table/lounge area (like open-plan living) and it looks incredible! I know my parents have always kept in touch which what's happening and have seen photos of the inside (it's up for sale online) and they aren't so sure about some of the things that have been done, but I love it! It's liked I've walked into an old but incredibly over-sized cottage full of character, warmth and light! As we go into each room, the same 'wow' comes from my mouth as I look up, down, left and right, taking it all in and seeing what's changed and what remains! The old kitchen is now a laundry, the dining room is a study, and various other things have been added or changed but I love it! (have I already said that yet?...) I would buy the house tomorrow if I had the money. I was stepping back-in-time and could feel everything from when I was little. Everywhere I looked had a memory attached or a moment I could recall. Christmas, birthdays, my room, where I'd play, where I'd eat etc etc. Katie let me take my time in each room and even take some photos. She loved hearing about how it used to be and said she would have left certain things as they were if it wasn't for the owners before her (who we sold it to) for ripping out some of the old paneling from the 1800s. They ruined it basically and were only here for 2 years before Katie's family bought it and really turned it around. It was all so surreal and emotional but I felt so happy and so blessed to be able to walk back inside. I never wanted to leave!

Katie gives me her email address so I can send her some photos of what it used to look like and then we hug and kiss before saying goodbye...she is lovely.

Feeling like I've just had a dream, I run back to Daphne's to tell her how much I loved it and we chat about everything until it's time for me to go.

My Aunty Coral and Veli pick me up and I say 'see you soon' to Daphne. I plan to come back to Burton before the end of the year or early next year.

What an experience!!!

I tell Coral and Veli all about it as we head to go get a coffee together at Costa! While we are at Costa, I Skype Mum and Dad to tell them all about it too!

Soon after that, Coral see's someone she knows and shouts 'Ken!' I turn to see a familiar face but not one I've seen in so long! Ken and his wife (not met her before) approach us and he can not believe who he's seeing (me!)...he says I look like my Mum when she was my age (everyone has been saying this since I arrived!) and he gives me a big hug. It's Coral's cousin; but ever since I was little, my brother and I used to go round to Ken's parents house; Alan and Ann. We used to call them Aunty and Uncle and we would always love to go round as they lived up the road from my house and they were the most caring and loving people ever. I hadn't had a chance to seem them yet but I really wanted to, and all of a sudden, we are organising to all head over at 4pm so I can surprise them! How exciting!

At 4, we head over and as I walk inside, I hear Ann talking and Ken says 'Mum, I've got someone to see you!'. I walk in smiling and she squeals in delight!! (Bless her!) I walk over and give her a big big hug and kiss and she can not believe her eyes (or how tall I am!) She sits me down and starts asking me everything and holds my hand or arm the whole time! Alan wasn't home when we arrived but once he gets home I hide behind the living room door and he walks in wondering why everyone's looking at him smiling! He see's me and goes 'my word!' 'look who it is!' 'It young Bev!' (my Mum!) lol! I give him a big hug and kiss, all of us smiling and laughing at the surprise of it all! We sit together, everyone on the couches and have a lovely hour or so reminiscing. We have a few photos together but then have to leave as I'm off to stay the night at my Aunty Di's house (my God-mother) before I leave for Bath tomorrow. I say goodbye and we organise to all go out for a meal together when I come back.

We drive to the cutest little village where my God-mother lives, called Rolleston. I'm staying at Di's as my God-fathers parents live (Doreen and Aubrey) in Rolleston too and that's who I'm going down to Bath with tomorrow; along with my God-fathers brother (Martin), and partner (Dave). Di's at a concert for the night to see Dolly Parton with some work friends in Nottingham but I'll be with Doreen and Aubrey at their house for most of the evening anyway.

I say goodbye to Coral and Veli and thank them so much for having me. I settle in at Doreen and Aubrey's house and chat to Martin and Dave (hadn't met Dave before). We end up all going out for a meal at a place called Jinnie's and it was a beautiful meal with beautiful company. Even though these people are not related to me in any way, I felt like I was with family. They practically are family, I guess. I felt so blessed that I had been invited by them all to go down and stay with them for a few days in Bath. So fortunate and so blessed. They are the kindest people and say they are more than happy to have me come down. My God-father would be so happy right now if he was here...

After dinner, they drop me off at Di's house (which is also huge and absolutely stunning) and I go inside to bed.

Another amazing day and not any of it had been planned. That's just how my whole journey so far has been unfolding and I feel so lucky and grateful for it all.

I'm sleeping in the room that I used to sleep in when my Brother and I would come round for sleep-overs and I struggle to sleep in amazement of it all as well as the excitement for heading to Bath tomorrow.