257 TOP 5: BEST MOMENTS...

We have been home for a couple of weeks now, and it is almost time to put this part of our life behind us and focus on the future, so what better time to look back with a top 5?

Today it is the Top 5 Best Moments Of The Trip.

5. Three Abreast On The M57

We spent two years meticulously planning this trip. Still, one of the best moments for me happened completely spontaneously and affected me much more than it should have.

After the torture of immigration at Portsmouth, we set our sights on home, driving on speed-restricted motorways, up dual carriageways, and on toll roads. Eventually we made it to the M6, then on to the M62, before finally reaching the M57, which signalled we were almost home. Carl was in the lead in the inside lane. I caught up with him in the outside lane, and Richie realised what was happening and moved between us.

For a few seconds, our three heroic little cars were in formation after completing over 2,200 miles; we all looked at each other and flashed our lights in celebration. I got a massive lump in my throat and had to stop myself from crying like a baby. Maybe it was exhaustion after the long drive, maybe it was relief that we all got home in one piece, or maybe it was because I was so proud of what we had achieved. It is a moment I'll never forget.

4. The Ferry Trip

As mentioned elsewhere, we were warned repeatedly that the Bay of Biscay was an absolute nightmare to cross. People also raised eyebrows when we said our trip from Bilbao to Portsmouth would take an eyewatering 32 hours. Still, in truth, it was one of my favourite parts of the whole trip.

Ignoring the faff to get aboard, the ferry was brilliant. We had a spacious cabin to rest in, a bar serving British drinks, lovely staff, a private tour of the bridge, and a lounge area perfect for relaxing and decompressing. We also got to take part in a quiz and listened in horror as the space also doubled up as a karaoke bar as the night wore on, filled with people who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Still, it is all part of the fun, eh?

The fact that the trip was so long worked out perfectly for us; it gave us time to relax, get a good night's sleep, and not rush around. We took a small bag of essentials to our cabin, so packing the car up for the final time took seconds too. It was fantastic from start to finish - barring the hurry up and wait pantomime at each end.

3. Racing Through The Tunnel On The F1 Track At Monaco

I managed to tick off a very big item on my bucket list while we were away by driving around the Monaco F1 track. I've walked it before, but driving around was really special for me. I was imagining myself as an F1 driver as I went around the Loews Hairpin and then disappeared into the famous Tunnel.

The Tunnel gave me another massive tick as I let Carl head around the corner so there was a gap, put the windows down, hit the Sport button and gave it the beans, listening to the engine howl and the exhaust roar, amplified beautifully as I blasted along the track...for a good three or four seconds before I had to brake for a cyclist. Sake.

I found myself daydreaming about this moment the other day while stopped at traffic lights. I desperately want to experience it again; I want to cross Casino Square, head down Mirabeau to the hairpin, blast through the Tunnel and, this time, make it to Rascasse, which was coned off when we visited, before bombing it up the hill to do the whole thing again. Driving around Monaco was a real life moment for me.

2. Out Of The Tunnel, Into Italy

The drive into Italy was simply spectacular, and one point that stands out to me was when we passed by the Border Control layby, entered a little tunnel, and popped out onto the road that hugs the shore of Lake Como.

The road was twisty and exciting; the locals drove too fast and too close; the views were spectacular; it was everything I'd hoped for. It felt special to be part of the hustle and bustle of the area, especially as Lisa and I were in a little, suped-up Italian car that was completely at home darting through traffic and squeezing through narrow gaps.

Bliss.

As we entered Menaggio, the road got even narrower and twistier, which suited me and our little car even more. By the time we parked up in the hotel, I felt 10 feet tall. It was one of the best drives I'd ever experienced.

1. The Gotthard Pass

Talking of best drives ever, the 20-minute drive up the Gotthard Pass is, without doubt, one of the best experiences of my life, not just driving, but ever. I should really thank the guy on the motorbike behind me as we started the climb for trying to get past, as it made me give it a little bit more on the drive up.

The fact that Lisa was encouraging me to go faster was a surprise and gave me the green light to blast around the hairpins, up the straights, then drop a cog, hurl the car around the next corner, and repeat again and again. I went so hard that the car popped and banged as unburnt fuel exploded out of the back. Needless to say, we left the motorbike - and the others in our convoy - far behind!

After regrouping, we continued to give it some up the Pass before pulling over at the top of the Alps, took in the breathtaking beauty, patted ourselves on the back for making it and took a picture with 'Travelling Ellis'. The trip down wasn't as dramatic but definitely had its moments. Before we knew it, another bucket list item was ticked off.

The Gotthard Pass was the highlight of one of the best days of my life, which also included blasting along a German autobahn, lunch overlooking the lake in Lucerne, Switzerland, visiting the Goldeneye dam, and the trip into Italy mentioned above. Best. Day. Ever.