Well, Dear Blogards, here we are at journey's end having covered 4,026.4 miles at an average of 26 miles per gallon, which bearing in mind the size and weight of the combination and loads, is not too bad at all.
Our last couple of days at Hoorn were very pleasantly spent in cycling and sightseeing to both Hoorn (see photo) and Edam. On Thursday afternoon we travelled the 30 miles or so to our port of departure and boarded the DFDS Princess of Norway for our overnight sailing to Newcastle. Never having travelled with that particular shipping company, we were interested to see how things compared with P and O. The whole experience on board was to a very high standard and the level of service was excellent. The food was fantastic and we enjoyed a very leisurely evening meal in a relaxed atmosphere assisted by a bottle of Rose! After our meal we adjourned to one of the lounges for a spot of entertainment before hitting the sack, which was very comfortable indeed. After a hearty breakfast we took to the decks as the ship entered the Tyne and finally docked allowing us to be on the road home by 09:15.
We travelled home via Scotch Corner and Kirkby Stephen arriving at Forton by 12 noon; and then the work began!
We are both very grateful to all of the blog readers and have appreciated all the comments sent by readers and also the many emails that we received; you have all added tremendously to our enjoyment.
I suppose there should be a verdict at the end of such an adventure and I can speak for both of us (as I often do!) and say that it has been a fantastic journey and allowed us to explore new places and meet many interesting people of many nationalities. The equipment has served us well, with absolutely no problems whatsoever with the new towing car and only a few niggly issues with the caravan. If Mr Mazda ever reads this blog, may I respectfully suggest that he starts making caravans!
We have greatly missed all our friends and relations and although I never thought I would say it, I am even looking forward to returning to the dancing lessons, but only to meet up with our friends, you understand!
My final thanks are reserved for my dear wife, Margaret, who has been the best travelling companion that anyone could wish to have. When you get a Spanish dentist talking to your wife in French, and she then translates his many questions to English and replies with the answer to the aforementioned chappie in French, you just know that you married the right one! Would we do it again? You bet your life we will given the chance!
Good luck to you all, and whatever you do in life, follow your dreams.
John and Margaret.
