Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Well we finaly made it back home, We waited in Australia for chitty to sail back to Southampton in the UK taking five weeks. Chitty cleared customs and we flew back to collect her, after all the paperwork she started fine and we drove from Southampton docks to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight ferry. On arrival the ticket collector had been following our trip through the local paper and Isle of Wight radio and said "wow your back then!" Carolyn requested with the crew for Chitty to sail home on the Starboard side as we had left on the Port side when leaving, True to our adventure title of Port out Starboard home!. The ferry guys looked a bit bemused but granted our request. As the ferry docked the emotion was running high, nine months away full of adventure, excitement and a few scary bits was now coming to an end. We were both sad it was over but also so pleased to be home. As the ramp lowered a group of well wishers gathered on the approach road made up of family and friends. They all cheered and waved as we drove off and its was a fantastic welcome. The county Press took a few photos and Isle of Wight Radio and Meridian TV conducted an interview there and then. Chitty was taken straight home to the garage and after getting our house back after being rented out, we had a welcome home BBQ. Saturday the 7th June played host to many guests and Chitty made a grand appearance from the garage. We were asked so many times about camping whilst away so we decided to put the tent up and make camp in the garden for all to see. This will probably be the last blog entry for a while but I will never say never ! We built Chitty against the odds and out of frustration at the negitive comments whether it would go or not so we were determind to prove some wrong, When I showed Chitty as a chassis to a few collegues one man said "it will never go, your barking mad," with that I said "it will, and I will prove it by driving it to Australia", hence having to make good on my promis. We have had the time of our lives and really anything is possible. A big thank you to all who have read the blog, sent us e-mails and generaly kept in contact, as for all of you, it has given us the inspiration to keep going. Thank you.
P.s. Chitty did so well and never missed a beat, although I have uploaded a Photo with Chitty in the care of the AA Automobile Association, did she breakdown ???? you will just have to wait for the book for the answer to that one!
So whats next ! well in Burma we went on the 'Road to Mandalay' maybe next we should go 'From here to Timbuktu'! Whatever !!!
Comments
Back home.
Great to see you back home, It`s been good following your travels it`s a great blog with some super pictures, looking forward to the book. Well done. Peter.
Book!
We're looking forward to a most enjoyable book!
Welcome home, Nick and Carolyn.
Oliver and Terry Holler
(Your fellow crackpots in the U.S.)