Entonces, despite ash clouds over Europe, Iberia (worst airline ever) cancelling my flight without even telling me, STA insisting that the flight is going ahead, but then realising it isn't (unfortuately its not their problem according to the T's & C's however they did very kindly sell me a new flight after the long £20 phone call from Brazil to an expensive number) I eventually managed to get back home to the UK. Just as well because I think poor Melissa would have killed me if I didn't get back in time for the wedding stuff early Sat morning. My fault for booking the flight home with no time to spare in between...I will learn! Flight back with BA was a nightmare. To all those people that are scared of flying and my total lack of sympathy, I apologise - I now get it! Turbulence used to be my best friend...not any more. We were all happily sitting on the plane sipping our drinks when suddenly out of nowhere the plane engine noise changed and it felt like we were just dropping out of the sky. Everyones drinks went flying up in the air all over the overhead lockers and then started to drip down onto their laps (luckily nowhere near me). An airsteward near mum had fallen down onto the floor and everyone screamed with mine probably the loudest. Mum was miles away in premium economy and I seriously thought 'this is it, I am going to die'. Why did I not wait one more day to fly with Iberia?! With tears at the ready and my hands shaking like crazy the guy in front turned round to me and said 'don't worry you will be fine as long as you have your seat belt on'. I smiled and nodded, hasn't he watched the TV and seen the plane crash in Tripoli only two days ago, or the Air France crash last year from Brazil that happened - SAME ROUTE AS US?! If we go down we are going to die... A few minutes later and we seem to have stablised but are still bouncing around in the sky. The pilot eventually recovers from his perfectly timed vow of silence to reassure us that the engines are still working, there are no terrorists on board and we are not passing through a storm where freak lightning is going to blow up the plane, we have merely passed through an airpocket and aircontrol do not expect us to come across any more... Why is it that the older you get the more scared you become? Maybe because things suddenly start going wrong, you have seen so many news stories etc that you think will never happen to you but start to realise that the probability something will happen becomes greater the longer you are around... So, with my 'near death experience' (I know still a drama queen!) I know that I will continue to make the most of every minute for as long as I can. This travelling experience really has been incredible and although I am still me I feel like I have a new understanding of who I am, how I will react in situations and I know that on the whole life is fun, but it is up to you to make it that way! If things are not working out then you are the only person who can change them. I am now on the figuring out stage as to where I want to be and am looking forward to the summer at home. The end is always sad which is why I am going to use this as the beginning and although I will not be jumping through new countries every other week, there is no reason why the 'travel mode' cannot continue. Life is out there and I will not be letting it pass me by! So happy to be back and to meet up with my friends. Obviously I will miss all the amazing people that I met when I was out travelling, but you never know maybe we will meet up again one day in the future or if you ever come to England - you know where I am!! Heading back to London in a couple of weeks and will definitely look to arrange some drinks then. Thanks to everyone for all your lovely messages and comments etc. It is so nice to know that there are people out there sending you good wishes when you are miles from home....