 It
took ages for our bags to appear on the carousel. Nothings changed there
then. After waiting a good 30 minutes sarena then wanted to find the loo.
We finally made it out of into the departure lounge to be greeted by Clare
flashing her camera at us and Gus waiting to the side.
It was a wet gray miserable day. Just what I wanted... some familiarity!
Gus drove round the car park a few times before he found the exit and
then we where on our way down the M3 and back to Hampshire. On the drive
back we forced gus to stop at a service so I could get a Ginsters Chicken
and Mushroom slice. I had been craving one of these since I left home.
To my delight they seemed bigger and fuller than I remember.
Gus took the scenic road home. English countryside is just amazing, hopefully
now I will  appreciate
it a lot more. First stop was to visit mum. She had no idea that I was
home although with Grandma passing away she probably had a good idea that
I would turn up soon. It was very emotional and I was even presented with
a dog in swaddling clothing! We then paid a quick visit to my dad who
since I left over 2 years ago is now living somewhere else. Dad knew I
was home but it was great to see him again.
The next surprise was over to Sarena's mum in Romsey. We rang the door
bell and she opened it and just stared at us for ages. She thought we
where special  needs
selling biro's. It took her ages to even recognise her own daughter. But
when she did she went absolutely mad. Good job I wasn't in hugging distance
as I think I would of been crushed. Poor old Gus and Clare drove us around
everywhere and had to endure all our visits to family. The final surprise
of the day went to our friends Pat and Jack. Pat was just as shocked to
see us (Jack was in bed).
We dropped Sarena back of at her mums for the night and I headed home
with Gus and Clare's and back to my old bedroom which I haven't slept
in for years.
|
 Walked
through the gates at Heathrow to be greeted by a grinning Clare with her
camera and a very happy Gus who gave us monster hugs before taking us
back to the car and Toby's house. The weather was blinkin awful and very
gray which seems was the first bad day England had had in a long time
- typical. It didn't seem weird driving back along the motorway not like
it did last time i came home 2yrs previous which was strange. I made Gus
stop off at a service station so Toby and i could finally get a Ginsters
pie and a Packet of Walkers Salt and Vinegar crisps - we had both been
craving these things for a long time, how sad is that.. We munched our
way through all our junk food whilst Gus took us all through the quaint
old English villages making me realise how beautiful the countryside is.
The houses looked sooooo small!!!! in fact everything looked so small
and old.
 When
we got to Toby's mums house in Lockerley we hid in the lounge whilst Gus
and Clare went upstairs to find Marianne who didn't have a clue we were
coming home like everyone else! She walked into the lounge and was just
so pleased to see us but over the moon to have a hug with Toby whom she
hadn't seen in all that time.
We then flew over to My house to surprise my mum who we knew would be
vocal !! Mum answered the door and didn't  recognise
us, thinking we were knocking on the door to sell something, it was only
when i said 'hi mum' did she scream and go berserk. Clare and Gus could
hear her from across the cul d sac.
After a couple of hours of catch up and me not making much sense due
to the lack of sleep we then got taxied over to Pat and Jacks house where
we had more hugs and tears and some more tea then Gus dropped me back
home for some sleep in my old bed. |
|
Some more surprising on the cards today, but the first stop was to spend
some time with Dad and help stomp on a few rats that have invested his
workshops and chicken coup. We tried smoking them out with a pipe on the
exhaust of a chainsaw and then let a friends crazy dog try and chase them
down. We only saw two very fat and healthy rats but didn't manage to bag
any. After half an hour of hard rat catching we headed to my old local,
The Kings Arms. To watch Southampton beat Portsmouth 3-0. Fantastic -
pompey scum! Also had a great cheddar ploughmans, hmmmmmm. Met up with
some of the old pub crew, Dommo, Lee Roy, Chicken Head, Glen, Abbo, Danny
and the new landlord, Tombstone Terry.
That evening Sarena and I went on a hunt for our two old freinds, Deon
and Shelly. Eventually we found them. It was so good to see them again.
Our priority was to organise a curry.
So that's it. We are officially home. After 2 years and 4 months, the
end of our big trip out and the end of our diary writing. It has been
a challenge keeping it up, but we are very glad we have, If only for our
own memories, If anyone else has enjoyed them then that is truly a bonus.
I am sure we will miss the whole experience and find it very hard to get
back into a normal life again. We are now broke, unemployed and not quite
homeless (for as long as our parents can stand us) but we are very fortunate
to have some amazing memories and experiences that no one can ever take
away from us. We have made some amazing friends both around the world
and some that have also returned to the UK so we can now look forward
to meeting up with you all again, and a few beers :-)...
... THE END.
|
It was Nicky's (my bro) Xmas party today which he was having at his place
in Ringwood. Dad Trixie and mum were all going up together so as they
didn't know we were home yet we thought it would be a good idea to go
around and surprise them, then go to visit Nick with them. Dad didn't
even recognise me and just stood in the doorway with his mouth open not
saying a word !! after more hugs and a few tears we all bundled into a
car and drove up to Ringwood where i walked into Nicks room and surprised
him, got the biggest hug i have ever had off of him ever then went for
some food with the rest of the residents and parents. They had done a
huge spread which i just couldn't touch as i was feeling quite peculiar
and out of touch with everything.
Caught up with Toby a little later and went round to see Shelly and Deon
who were sooooooo pleased to see us!! had a couple of drinks in the local
which was very strange then went home to central heating and no Toby....
I really don't know how to end this whole thing really as it just feels
so utterly sad to me, i know Toby loves being back especially being in
the Countryside again but for me it's not what i want. I don't know what
the future holds for the both of us or where we will end up living - might
not be in the UK that's for sure. I have had a life changing couple of
years and have met the most wonderful funny and inspirational people in
all the countries we have visited. It certainly means i can never do the
'normal' lifestyle of holidays every again,. I know i will have to get
some agency work and will end up in an office for a little while for the
dosh, but I really want to get myself a job now where i give back to this
amazing planet - yes I know i sound like a greeny but I don't care because
that is what I have become and look forward to doing something fulfilling.
At the moment we are completely penniless and have nowhere to live apart
from the parents places but it was worth every penny and i would do it
all again tomorrow.
My suggestion to everyone is to get out of the bubble you now live in
and stop worrying about all the small and insignificant things that in
the big picture, don't really matter - see the world with your eyes, ears
and mouth and not just on the TV - live life and open you mind.
Sarena Jane Perry - a changed woman
THE END.........
........
|
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