22 - Back where it all started

Some of you have sent some messages of frustration and others have aired their frustration in person as reality has hit them. It is true. We are several days behind with our blogging and have been for about 8 weeks now. It was easy to pretend we were up to date when we were still on the road but now that I have safely arrived in Sydney (writing this at 2.30am as I’m riddled with jet lag) and James returns to London, it’s become very obvious that we aren’t the vigilant bloggers we portrayed ourselves to be. But here we are with our trip officially at an end.

James bravely took on the 8 hour drive from San Sebastián to Casa Palmer Kirby with only a short break for some lunch at a small town in Spain. We arrived at 7.50pm to a restaurant near the villa which of course hadn’t even opened yet because...well...Spain, but by 8.30 we were tucking in to a lasagne and pizza, reminiscent of our weeks in Italy. We then drove around the corner where we met Linda and Paul. Paul was so excited to see that Trevor had been returned to him in one piece and gave him a big hug.

We returned to the villa and spent the next day doing washing, sorting out the car and packing my bag, with a couple of moments to lay in the sun by the pool. We also took a trip on the quad bike up to a close-by hill to admire the view of the mountains. The day was topped off with a lovely meal at Volveras with Linda and Paul.

Paul and I were dropped at Alicante airport by our other halves who would be staying at the villa for a few more days without us. Finally (after some serious questioning at passport control) I got back to what is now my friend Eve and her boyfriend Harry’s apartment. Many of you will be familiar with it as it is also mine and James’ old flat and it was a bit surreal heading to bed in the spare room. Eve and Harry kindly put me up for a couple of nights after plan A with my brother Matthew and his fiancé Vanessa had fallen through. I’m pleased to report that they passed their first landlord inspection with flying colours.

I had wondered for a long time how I would spend my last day in London. Perhaps pop by Buckingham Palace to wave bye to Liz, or maybe take one last walk along the Southbank. As it turns out I had a lot of life admin to get through before I got on the plane and Canary Wharf had everything I needed in one place, so I got on the DLR and in a totally underwhelming fashion, spent my last day in the Wharf. It was broken up with a lovely lunch with my friend Angela and Eve and I finished off the day with a very British pub meal at the Morgan Arms in Bow.

While there is no worse feeling than boarding the plane and saying bye to London and some very special family and friends, there is no better feeling than the plane touching down at Sydney airport after a long and boring 24 hours. Mum and Dad were there waiting for me and soon I was at home and in bed.

By all accounts Linda and James have continued to have a wonderful time in Spain, playing golf, cooking and trying to capture some sun. In a few days James will join me in Sydney which I can’t wait for and a few days after that, my big brother will be getting married.

After 86 days, 20 stops, 8,650 kms or 5,370 miles, at least 85 hours in Trevor, 21 petrol breaks, 2 semi-arguments (have added that one as several people have asked), 80 podcasts, 85 gelatos and hundreds of happy memories, we sadly conclude Trevor’s Trails.

Thanks, gracias, merci and hvala for following us!

J & M