Hello and welcome to the R.T.A forums.
Thank you for sharing your 'Journey' with us and would like to offer my condolences for your loss.
I am really pleased you found the strength to keep your promise and embark on your adventure, i look forward to hearing more about your adventures and please post some pictures up, I'm sure it will offer great info and help for people planning a trip.
I see you are from West sussex which is also my home county which proves that despite great distances it's a small world!
Dave.