Homeward Bound
06.07.2010 - 16.07.2010
28 °C
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Ali & Neal T.O.A.L
on alineal's travel map.
It was time to leave Croatia on the 6th July and we made our way to Zadar airport which has got to be the most quietest airport we have ever been to. There was only 4 flights leaving Zadar on this day and after arriving there 8 hours before our departure we obviously were able to get the best seats in the airport. The flight was thankfully on time although i wouldnt have expected anything less from Ryan Air as they like to boast about their time keeping. Our destination a couple of hours later was Charleroi Airport south of Brussels and we made our way to the nearest hotel. Then after a late night, trying to plan our next move, and a very early morning we decided to head for our final international stop at Juno And Chris's (Ali's mum and husband) in Normandy.
We could have easily made our way more slowly to Normandy and spent more time in Belguim and France but the lack of funds and the sad realisation that our trip was nearly over we took a train from Charlerloi and 4 changes later we reached central Paris and after a baguette and a coffee we purchased train tickets to Vire in Normandy. We had a sweaty and crushing time on the Paris metro system and of course having our backpacks on made things very awkward. We then needed to make a mad dash to our train platform which was typically the furthest away and with 2 minutes to spare we collasped into our seats. Four hours later and we were being welcomed at Vire train station by Juno & Chris and with a 30 minutes drive from there we arrived at our last destination, la Bazoge, Normandy. Their home is stunning, in a spectacular location, rural and very peaceful and we enjoyed our stay in France with them although being forced to paint the outside of the house was a little extreme!!
So July 16th had arrived and we were ready to make our way home by ferry to Portsmouth then onto home sweet home Liberty Hall Road, Addlestone.
Overall we loved our trip across South Africa, Australia, Thailand, India, Italy, Croatia, Belguim and France and it really was a trip of a lifetime, one that we doubt we will ever get chance to do again but one that has given us loads of memories to last a lifetime. We both ended up having different favourite places but agreed on the highlights of each individual country and I think that i have see enough coastline and seas to last me a lifetime and Ali says she never wants to see or touch a backpack again!
Thanks to everyone who has posted their comments on our blog and the rest who read our updates, hope they weren't too boring!!
Posted by alineal 21.07.2010 11:51 Archived in France Tagged backpacking
Though we have already said it WELCOME HOME! Its good to have you back. Your final stay in France sounded the perfect end to a lovely trip (despite having to paint the house!) We have enjoyed your blogs very much and will miss logging in every day to see if there is a new one - they were very interesting and informative - you wrote them very well. Now we look forward to seeing you both soon love Mum and Dad x
21.07.2010 by sanandmick