The End

I have been home for two months and can now start to reflect back on the trip. I know one thing for sure, it has changed my life in many ways. Not just in terms of the amazing things I have seen or the people I have met but more about what I have discovered about the generosity and kindness of my friends and family as well as complete strangers. Also in terms of seeing so much of the world. It is humbling and overwhelming and I feel stronger than ever we need to make radical changes, which can be positive for our lives, if we are to stop climate change or slow it down at least. Look at this radical proposal for an alternative energy strategy for the UK www.zerocarbonbritain.com

Having so many strangers comment or discuss me and my beliefs and my trip was incredibly wierd and I still can't get my head around it all. The whole experience is one I am grateful for and I am so glad I had. I just hope that people have been interested in the debate and will think about the issues more. Anyone who has read the blog and knows me will know there were many ups and downs and there were times when I thought I was going completely insane. There were also other times of complete joy and real happiness too. I would recommend this trip to others, especially the outbound journey and hope that people will not completely write it out of the question thinking that they 'can't' do it as often people seem to do. I have been fascinated with the blogging process and have found it frustrating, bizarre, heart-warming and fun. I have really enjoyed writing and interacting with people through it but now I don't know what to do with it. I hope it will remain a resource for people wanting to follow this trip or something similar.

I am loving getting back in touch with my life at home, away from the modern world. I have made a compost toilet, got out into the garden and done lots of work to stop the leaks in the roof of my caravan and fitted back into my life in some ways where I left off. I have been working on a great project with some friends of mine building a Recycled Venue, the Junk Boat, which will be floating around festivals this summer promoting simple, happy, beautiful and sustainable lifestyles. www.recycledvenues.org.uk I have been playing the accordion in my gypsy music band and trying to write about my adventures as much as I can.

I am also working out some more accurate figures on how many miles I travelled, how much it cost and what the CO2 emissions are using the real and detailled information I gathered when travelling. It is hard to put an exact figure on the CO2 emissions and although the terminology is becoming more understood and used, it is still inexact. We do know for sure that travelling over land and sea is producing far less in terms of carbon emissions than flying, whether the vehicles are full or not and whether they are old diesel trains or modern electric ones. I believe even more strongly now that our planet Earth is beautiful and is full of beautiful people and it is possible to save it. Whatever the scientists say, or indeed the naysayers, we should care for ourselves and the planet, we should slow down a bit and just, well give a bit more love. Even if no one else stops or changes there is no reason why we can't make a stand for what we believe in. One person can make a difference...(just think about all the stuff George Bush has achieved??!!)

If you want any more information about this trip please take the time to read through the blog first. I know it is not all easily accessible, especially as you have to start at the end! But go back to the beginning and the information is all there I promise! If you do need help or want more information then do contact me through the blog, your contact details can be kept secret, and I will endeavour to help you out. Thanks for all your support and for taking the time to read this.

Babs xxxx