Day 173 to 176 - 22nd to 25th April - Beverley, U.K.

Point of departure: Bothel, Lake District

Point of arrival : Beverley, Yorkshire

Accommodation: with Eugene & Luiza de Sa

Km travelled today: 307 km Cum: 29 131km (gravel 0km cum4 649km)

Countries so far: 14/16

Where to next? Cambridge

No of photos: 51 (cum 7 102)

After 172 days heading north, we have turned around and are now heading south. Our first stop… Beverley with friends (SA ex pats) Eugene, Luiza and family. Whilst Marina and Luiza went off to do what girls do best… shopping and coffee (18 months of catching up to do), John and Eugene went flying with the family's commercial pilot in training, Nuno (Luiza's son). This included a flip up the east coast and then back via Hull city's KC stadium, the Humber bridge and Beverley. While the Beverley Minster was a magnificent landmark, even the Beast stood out amid the suburban roads and homes. Congrats Nuno, John says you are brilliant and he felt safe with you. We had a wonderful time with Eugene, Luiza, Nuno and Bianca and we even had an evening braai in between the English spring showers. A special thanks to Eugene and Luiza's neighbours, John and Anne, for making space in their driveway for the Beast, and of course, thanks to Eugene and Luiza for having us stay… so nice to see you all again - we had a great time and felt very much at home. Thank you.