Telford's world explorer couple end globe-treading trip where it began in 2020 - by the Iron Bridge

On Sunday, with a convoy of supporters, they returned to the exact spot they set off from by the Iron Bridge in January 2020, with their trusty 2005 Fiat Ducato van.

Family and friends gathered alongside many of the Telford couple's 180,000 subscribers on YouTube to welcome them home and mark the end of their trip. The pair set off in 2020, became Turkish residents for 18 months during the Covid-19 pandemic, and then visited Asia, the USA, Alaska, Canada, South America and South Africa.

In exactly the same fashion as when they set off, Marianne's father David Gaffyne cut a ribbon to end their trip. Telford and Wrekin mayor Ian Preece was among the well-wishers gathered in Ironbridge.

Chris, 54, and Marianne, 56, have documented their trip throughout on YouTube, and recently discovered that their van had been broken into whilst travelling back from South Africa on a ship.

However, despite allegedly losing clothing and personal belongings including a tripod, the couple were pleased to share their good news that the van had passed its MOT, allowing them to complete the final leg of their journey back to Shropshire as planned.

Chris told the Shropshire Star of "mixed emotions" on their return home.

"We're so happy to be home and see such a warm welcome on a rainy day - and so sad that this adventure's over, but there's gonna be more!

"It's been phenomenal. Different places, different cultures - everybody's given us a warm welcome around the world."

Marianne said: "So many people came on the convoy as well, all the way from Reading. We are feeling so blessed.

"Even the mayor came to welcome us home!

"We're heading over to Moonshine & Fuggles because obviously we have to go and buy our charity Tread the Globe gin."

She even shared her own advice for anyone else who feels the itch of wanderlust.

"It's been so overwhelming, but it was the best decision for us. I think when you're sitting at a desk looking out of the window and there's a brick wall, whether it's a weekend away or whether it's a week away, two weeks or a whole craziness like we've done, I would encourage anyone to just go out.

"If you've got something that's stopping you, a fear, message me and I will put you straight."

The campervan that they bought in January 2018 has racked up more than 137,000 miles, with around 67,000 on land throughout the trip, and has visited sites including the Arctic Ocean, the Grand Canyon, Mount Fuji, Cirque du Soleil, Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls.

Telford and Wrekin mayor Ian Preece told the Shropshire Star: "Look at the community coming out to greet them - it's heart-touching.

"I remember four and a half years ago when they set off and I was just a fresh-faced councillor, just been elected. To see them back now it feels like 'that four years, where's it gone?'

"It's great to see them back and I wish them all the best."