13/09/11 Day 35. Journey back. Newcastle, UK

We woke to an announcement from the captain at 7.30am telling us that because of the bad weather yesterday we would be arriving in the Toon 2 hours later than expected. Aaron, Nick and Dave got up and showered and went for breakfast. I on the otherhand, enjoying being in a bed, on my own, with a proper mattress, a quilt and a pillow had a lie in. I got up at 9.30am ship time (Amsterdam time), 8.30am England time. I spent most of the rest of the morning laid in the cabin writing up my blogs on paper. We got into port about 10.45am and finally got through passport control at 11.15am. Dave's dad, Rob was waiting for us to bring us back home, very very nice of him! 2 hour drive home that felt like nothing compared to the length of drives we had done felt like nothing and I got home to Oldham at about 2.30pm. Road trip is now officially ended ... boooo!

So 8771 km / 5438 miles of driving the van, journeys by train bus and ferry later, I was home. 5 weeks out with Nick Dobinson, David Connely, Sam Edwards and Aaron Alexander. 17 countries down. Beers drank, pools/seas swam in, bed times shared... you get the picture. I had an absolutely awesome time! Cheers guys, you made the trip what it was. Best time of my life!!!!!!

Last blog of the trip, hope you enjoyed the reading as much as I did the experiencing (not as much the writing).

Sam Hill