Finally packed everything up and just managed to squeeze everything into the Landie.  Tracked down disorganised Shuttleworth Bod to pay (and negotiate discount off accomodation).  Quick piccie taking session and then we finally set forth on the first leg of our journey – a mammoth step from Old Warden to Turvey, where we extracted Sara from her office and took her out to lunch. 

Almost final goodbyes were said (we hope to see Gus and Sara next week on our way back home again) and we continued up to Newton-on-Ouse, a tad on from York to visit Andrew and Catherine.  After receiving extensive instructions from Andrew about how to find their house, it turned out that we had scanned the field next to it earlier in the year!  Both were in fine form and blossoming after the wedding.  Andrew cooked a delicious meal and Mark came round to join us.  It was excellent to see them all again.  

The Landrover was duly admired and all literature concerning Iran and India was extracted.  Catherine had her heart set on India being the destination of their next holiday, while Andrew was trying to overcome her apprehensions concerning Iran as a favourable destination.  I suspect that India may win this time around.  Renovation of the new house has progressed very rapidly.  The kitchen and lounge look fantastic.  A quick note about the bathroom tiles: they’re brilliant – all the tiles must have been hand made and they form a wonderful seascape.