Sat 22.12.12:

I had planned a long time ago to return to my hometown of Liverpool on the ferry. Originally it was to be the ferry from Ireland, but it would have been dark by the time I arrived, so instead I opted to hurtle around to Birkenhead and take the Ferry Cross The Mersey made famous by Gerry and the Pacemakers. Either way, I wanted to finish The Odyssey Expedition by ship, pulling up alongside the iconic Liver Buildings.

The ferry was all but empty, not surprising considering it was a wet and windy Saturday afternoon – as well as the last major shopping day before Christmas. The Pier Head loomed into view and up at the terminal building I could see my friends and family waiting for me. I was met off the gangplank by some press photographers and a camera crew. While I was posing for photos, the captain of the ferry disembarked and introduced himself to me – turns out he’s my second cousin on my mum’s side of the family. Meanwhile, one of the photographers turned out to be the brother-in-law of one of my mum’s colleagues from work. This is Liverpool. This is my home. And this is why, however far I travel, I will always return. I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!

I made my way up the walkway to the terminal building to be met with cheers and champagne in the rain. My mum and dad, my brother Alex, my mates and Odyssey fans. And here in that moment of triumph it’s all worth it; the joys, the frustrations, the heartbreak, the days of discomfort, the long nights of the soul, the horrors, the losses, the wins, the delights, the highs, the lows… here, now, the impossible dream, I’m home I’m home I’m home.