Time just fizzled away. I had said my dreaded good byes. Some were harder than others. And it was time for my long journey home, across the globe, to happen. Just as I had started, I was a lone traveller, on plane full of strangers. But it felt different to my outward journey, over 9 months ago. The excitement, nerves, nostalgia and sadness were all there, but different. From Auckland I flew to Melbourne, where meeting 4 friends I made in Peru, made my 9.5 hour layover less of a bore. 14 hours on to Dubai, to relieve my sickeningly swollen kankles for a few hours, and 7.5 more to my fair home toon. 40 hours, 6 plane meals, 3 films and 4 episodes of Peaky Blinders carried me back to the loudest welcome party in Newcastle Airport that Thursday lunchtime. Thanks mum.

Little old home hadn’t changed and I felt weirdly like I’d just been away for a week two. Only when I really thought about everything that had happened since the old scabby chin days, did it actually feel quite amazing to be in a place so familiar. And the familiar faces were (and still are) the best bit. With each reunion I feel even more ‘home’. Hiyas are so much better than good byes.

I never set out to ‘find myself’ when I ran away. In fact I was never actually running away (just made a good blog title), more biding my time. But whatever I set out to do, I feel like I have accomplished. And have learned a few things about myself along the way.

After a couple of days re-setting my body clock, a gentle run in Chopwell Woods was in order. Awake at 6am, I shared the forest with the birds and the morning sun. So summer in Newcastle ain’t got much on the Gold Coast heat, but it sure was nicer than bitter wintry Nelson, my last running spot. This familiar forest, which I have explored, navigated, and adventured since I was 8, is a pretty sweet running spot to return to.

Having been home a couple of weeks now, it feels like ‘real life’ again; worrying about how skint I am/how much debt I’m in; looking forward to future job prospects and shaking like a leaf at the most important interviews I’ve ever attended. I’ve also got stuck straight back in to the fit life: running; my bike; gym; and a return to my beloved boxing club. Every day I think fondly back to my adventures across the globe and my friends dotted around it. But I know returning to the UK was the right thing for me to do. There’s no place like home.