After a brief spout of homesickness (mainly due to the late late toy show) we had decided to come home for the holidays. Leaving it as a surprise for our families, although we have some budding detectives in both our families who maybe weren't as surprised to our rocking up on the porch! But we had some heartwarming reunions and a few tears shed. But we didn't expect to get a surprise of our own in the form of a burst water pipe in the our house, queue up a festive cleaning montage trying to salvage what we could!

Despite the flood we didn't let it dampen our spirits and spent much of the travel respite running around with family and friends, was wishing to be back on a trek some days as it would have easier! Turkey, Ham and Spiced beef coming out of ears we were going to be rolled onto the plane, a special shout out to my dad who insisted on a fry every day I was home! Combine the food with the rake of Guinness and some very willing enablers it felt like we had never left!

But all good things must come to an end so we picked up our new backpacks (Half the size of our first ones so we can go just carry on.......... I know what has happened to Sarah Tobin, the woman who would bring 3 bags for a weekend in my parents house!), we sewed on some patches picked up on the way, needing to shamelessly display where we were!