Oh my goodness, the sands through the hours glass have almost slipped away. Has it really been six weeks since we started our adventure? Here we are with only hours remaining before we are back in New Zealand again.

Shakespeare from Avon on Stratford (lol), wrote in Romeo & Juliet that 'parting is such sweet sorrow', and we feel that we may understand what he meant. We are saddened to be leaving our adventure behind us and our awesome UK family & friends. and are heartened to know that we will soon see Aotearoa's fair shores and our lovely New Zealand family (bitter-sweet).

Our last day of our amazing journey - an adventure that lead us to places, tastes and sounds we never expected like the happy musicians or buskers as we would call them in New Zealand, the time we thought we were being chased by the Barcelona cops, tasting octopus (pulpo) and tostadis, climbing up high mountain peaks in France and drinking wine and con leche in Spain, getting the language mixed up and so much more. There was no highlight, as everyday was a highlight - we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Today we actually arise from our slumbers at sparrows fart, as we want to spend time with Jimmy before he goes off to work, and thank both him and Tia for opening their home to us. It has been a precious time. Once Jimmy has gone it is our turn to get ready for our departure. Scrubbed and manicured we load up the car with our worldly goods, and have our last kisses & cuddles with Halle and Tia (time is too short).

Reluctantly we turn the car out of the driveway and with our trusty mobile navigator chirping instructions we head for Leeds. An hour later, and with only a few deviations from our course; we arrive at Leeds railway station depositing both our baggage and Denise inside. Steve then heads off to return the rental to Hertz a short drive away. We are both grateful for time spent on Google maps and Street View before leaving NZ so that some of the landscape was familiar when the navigator couldn't keep up with our location. Car safely returned we are again grateful to have one of the people from Hertz drop Steve back to the railway station (great service).

We have time to sit and enjoy breakfast at Subway before we have to make our way to the platform and our train to London. Two hours later we wend our way out of Kings Cross station and catch a cab to the OXO Hilton for a cup of tea prior to heading off to Covent Garden for some 'last minute shopping'. It was a lovely walk which took us past the Lyceum Theatre where we had watched 'The Lion King', and on through bustling streets of London to Covent Garden. Mission accomplished!, goodies secured! With time being of the essence (lol), we of course pause for a cup of coffee before heading back to meet up with Clare & CJ who are going to escort us to Heathrow.

Once again with all our worldly possessions pulled behind, we make our way via Blackfriars station to the underground. A straight forward journey on the tube to the airport? Alas dear reader, it would appear that the gremlins of Spain and France had not been satisfied with their previous mischief and were determined to bid us farewell, au revoir & adios from the Northern Hemishpere. We board the tube which all four of us agree has a final destination of Heathrow Terminal 3, confident of our final destination we while away the time chatting about this & that. We reach the 'Harrow-on-the-Hill' station and just as the doors are about to close are jollted in action when the 'General' barks the order 'get off the train!!'. Moments later we stand bemused amongst the pile of baggage on the platform as Clare (aka 'The General') explains our hasty exit. A passenger who had correctly deduced from our suitcases that we were intending to depart 'Blighty' for distant shores, informed Clare that our train was in fact heading for Uxbridge and not Heathrow. Apparently the final destination had been changed once we were on board and we are all certain that we didn't hear this change announced (Gremlins in the PA system??). The Gemlins may have scored; but they failed to convert, and three minutes later we were once again heading for Heathrow on another tube.

Safely disembarked at Heathrow, we negotiate the labyrinth of tunnels that connect the various terminals and emerge in terminal 3. We queue, queue, and queue to check in our bags; grateful for Clare & CJ's company. Checked-in, boarding passes in hand; we still have time left to enjoy a meal with Clare and CJ before we once again say reluctant goodbyes and make our way through to the departure lounge. Thank you Clare and Callum for giving up your time (and ironing) to bid us farewell, it was very much appreciated.

Airborne once again with the UK disappearing behind us, the countdown has begun; 30 hours until we set foot once again on New Zealand soil. Ah yes; 'parting is such sweet sorrow'