“Travelling is only glamorous in retrospect.” Paul Theroux.

That beautifully glamorous retrospect is now upon us pocolocos… as we are almost back down to earth in the glorious Brisvegas. Our battered backpacks are soon to be unpacked; our tired feet are ready for a good soaking; our poor camera is literally broken from constant over use, and our sensory-overloaded heads are spinning and swooning at all that has gone before us in this past colossus of our magical year of adventuring.

When we last left you we had just landed in Cuzco, Peru after spending a wee while high up in the Bolivian Altiplano, freezing our bits off and chomping on the energy-boosting coca leaf to keep the nasty ‘sorocho’ (altitude sickness) at bay. Shortly after, we hooked up with Struth’s big bruvva, Erik, who flew into Cuzco for a month or so’s tripping around Peru and Chile. We had an action packed time of it taking in amongst many other things, the amazing Machu Picchu on the trail of the Incas, climbing up volcanoes and mountain biking down the other side of them, carving out Chilean grooves snowboarding in the mountains, drinking plenty of warming Chilean wine and generally just savouring the many wonderful (and often testing) experiences that came our way.

That was June… and July arrived with us meeting up with Struth’s mum Bobbie in our old haunt, Mendoza back over the border in Argentina, where, from there, all roads led east. Off to Buenos Aires once again (our 3^rd time!) for our final taste of Argentinian style and culture. Needless to say it was 3^rd time lucky and we soaked it all up and spent up!, gracing the wonderful Teatro Colon for an unforgettable performance and tour, Tango’ing at Café Tortoni, browsing the many markets and shops and gorging ourselves silly in the many fine restaurants and coffee shops in what still is our favourite South American city.

So, together with Bobbie, at the end of July, we all said our final ‘chau chaus’ to the city they bizarrely called ‘Good Air’ (Buenos Aires) and indeed goodbye to the wintery South America with a smile on our faces. Time to go… and time to fly north to a good-vibin’ summer in London. Warm sunshine greeted us and the oh so nice change of language, manners and consideration were just all too apparent and pleasing to the ears and eyes. Summer in London always rocks and this one is no exception with the city buzzing more than we can remember… maybe this time we were viewing it with well-travelled eyes: wide eyed and open to different things. ?? Whatever the reason!, we happily hung out in the big smoke for a few days taking it all in and enjoying the long sunny nights, catching up with relatives and friends before heading north to where we are now… in the rolling green hills of the Dales.

So now our heads are dizzily spinning, and our bellies swelling at all the yum home cooking we’ve been scoffing. Soul food we’ve been dreaming about for quite some time! Our feet are already falling back down to terra firma and the joys of normality are starting to take shape in our minds. Big things are ahead for us both: wonderful and exciting times as our life resumes a fresh in Brisvegas- of course, with the happy prospect of our marriage next year.

We’d both like to finish this last ‘on-the-move’ update by saying a huge ‘Thank You’ to all the wonderful people in our lives (you know who you are – and if you don’t, prepare to be told!). Whilst it’s been an amazing time journeying in far away places, what’s made it all the more special is knowing that sharing our experiences has been appreciated by our nearest and dearest along the way. This of course, includes all the many wonderful people we’ve met on the road who made those times unforgettable in themselves - simply by just being there to share the moment. Those memories will live on!

On the unfamiliar road, contact with ‘home’- a supportive ear or a familiar joke is far more important than you expect it to be when setting out. To all those of you who have taken the time out of your busy lives to sit down and tap out emails, please know that they have been received along the journey with grateful hearts and they have given us priceless contact with you all. After all, it is the people we share life with that makes the journey worthwhile.

THANK YOU all.