Finally we leave the UK properly this time. 

We spent two nights with Sue and Michael Wakeford with the usual laughs and great grub and a last lunch with Avis and Peter Gunn in Beaconsfield .

Then some last- minute chores and a repack, and off to Southampton.

Tomorrow we board the Emerald Princess, a very different experience from that Greek ocean liner, the Australis that Julianne and I arrived in back in 1972.

As well as feeling VERY sad at leaving this green and pleasant land, my favourite place on Earth, and our fantastic friends and family, I'm also a bit anxious.

We're not quite like normal cruise passengers on this journey.

Since we've been away for around 20 months now, we've got a hefty amount of luggage to haul back with us.

So the big question is -- will there be space under the bed in our cabin where we can stow this stuff?

Or will we be spending the next seven weeks crawling over luggage?

All will be revealed tomorrow -- and in our next entry, whenever that might be.

That leads to another unknown -- Internet access.

But one thing's for sure, if and when we get wifi on board, it'll be very very pricy.

So it's bon voyage for us and à bientôt to all our friends, wherever you may be.