35. UK - 12 May to 24 May 2010

After a great lunch in Champagne, we arrived at Calais quite late, anticipating that we might stay the night and cross to England the next morning. We chose P&O Ferries, cheaper than the tunnel, and were able to cross that evening, leaving France at 7:55 pm but with the advantage of the UK being one hour behind. It was a totally stress-free and enjoyable crossing, the white cliffs of Dover fully visible though not flashing their splendour at that time of the evening - but another great feeling to be arriving in the UK, our final destination on this wonderful journey. Luckily our campsite in Dover catered for late arrivals.

Now that we had our flight booked for 24 May we only had less than two weeks to spend in the UK. We wanted to drive to Scotland to visit Susan's mum, and then catch up with friends and family in London. So next morning we started the drive towards Dundee, north of Edinburgh, using the motorways more than we would have preferred, but still enjoying the drive. The English countryside is such a treat - green rolling hills so neat and tidy, and a patchwork of fields and narrow roads and lanes. Add to that the stone buildings, black-faced sheep, dairy cattle, spring crops and flowers, and of course the pubs along the way. There's nothing quite like it, and it always looks like 'Famous Five' country. And what a contrast to the various African landscapes - rugged mountains, deserts, hills and plains of lush tropical vegetation, massive rivers and gorges and wide lakes - and either totally remote, or masses of people walking, walking, walking...

We had camped every night since leaving Sorrento in Italy, and this continued until our first night in Scotland when we stayed at a B&B in Gretna Green. It was only later that we realised its significance - the location for many a wedding over the years, with a younger marrying age in Scotland, and the blacksmith able to officiate at the ceremony. How did we forget Lydia Bennet of 'Pride and Prejudice' fame?!!!

Our stay in Scotland was warm and welcoming, very much enjoying our time with June in Dundee and meeting Susan's brother and sister, and we loved visiting Broughty Ferry and Kirriemuir where Susan grew up. Scotland is so very beautiful and crisp in both landscape and temperature. The rivers are sparkling and 'bubbling brook-like', surrounded by green fields or rolling hills and rugged mountains. Our visit was too brief but so very enjoyable. We'll be back!

Long Lane Farm is just within the M25 surrounding London and is the home of Babs and Jill, cousins on my mum's side. Another great feeling as we rolled down the tree-lined road to that magnificent centuries-old house still set amongst green fields despite the encroaching suburbs beyond the trees. The last few metres of our 41,320km journey, and once again another great feeling that we'd arrived at the end point very much intact, with both of us fit and well, and only two punctures the entire journey for our wonderfully steadfast vehicle - now known as Cam. We are definitely a team of three. It was great to catch up with everyone at Long Lane, and as always our stay there was welcoming, warm and comfortable.

We enjoyed our days in London, getting to know the city a little better, and we enjoyed a fantastic lunch with Robert, Susan's dad. We caught up with some friends, and even managed a West End show - War Horse - based on the book by Michael Morpurgo.

In no time we'd said our goodbyes and were on our Airbus 380 flight to Sydney and looking forward to getting home to family, leaving Cam behind for a well-earned rest till next trip.

How to describe this incredible journey of 328 days, nearly ten months? Africa dominates our reflections, the landscapes, the unbelievable wildlife, but most importantly the wonderful people - the locals we were lucky enough to meet from so many vastly different cultures, and the camaraderie of fellow campers along the way. We were constantly amazed at the number overlanders travelling to every corner of Africa, west coast and east coast - at times we felt our adventure was positively pedestrian. Africa is a continent of the starkest contrasts: poverty and wealth, beauty and squalor, courage and crime, 21st century and third world - all go hand in hand. Yet it gets into your soul and under your skin, and makes you want to return. It seems no other continent could offer such diversity and excitement, while challenging your own values and highlighting the inequalities of life. Who knows if we'll be back, but its impact has been enormous, and it's an experience that has enhanced and enriched our lives.

It's great to be home!!