Animalcouriers reached the Greek port of Igoumenitsa by ferry from Italy and motored straight on down to Athens to reunite Beau and Bumble with their owners.

Meanwhile, courier J flew in to Athens to take over from courier Mike for the remainder of the trip. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at a taverna overlooking the water before waving him off.

Not long now before we meet the first of the cats and dogs who’re joining us for the trip back to the UK.

We got a shady, airy spot on the ferry for our van, which meant the dogs could comfortably stay in their travel compartments, rather than moving to the on-board kennels.

We got a shady, airy spot on the ferry for our van, which meant the dogs could comfortably stay in their travel compartments, rather than moving to the on-board kennels.

Staffie Beau steps out into the Greek sunshine

Staffie Beau steps out into the Greek sunshine

Like Beau, Labrador Bumble found the Greek temperatures quite high — both dogs were pleased to get back into our air-conditioned van!

Like Beau, Labrador Bumble found the Greek temperatures quite high — both dogs were pleased to get back into our air-conditioned van!

At Athens airport courier J found that all bus tickets were free of charge — no surprise then that it was standing room only!

At Athens airport courier J found that all bus tickets were free of charge — no surprise then that it was standing room only!

‎Happy little Beau is even happier now he has rejoined his owner Katie. We met her in Pireus port as the reunited pair are travelling on to the beautiful island of Rhodes.

‎Happy little Beau is even happier now he has rejoined his owner Katie. We met her in Pireus port as the reunited pair are travelling on to the beautiful island of Rhodes.

‎Bumble is a girl who knows what she wants so when she has an itch she gets it scratched.

‎Bumble is a girl who knows what she wants so when she has an itch she gets it scratched.

Last, but by no means least, miss Bumble was greeted by an enthusiastic family in Athens. Bumble, by the way, is eating a chew and not smoking a cigar.

Last, but by no means least, miss Bumble was greeted by an enthusiastic family in Athens. Bumble, by the way, is eating a chew and not smoking a cigar.

A last evening meal in the sun by the beach for courier Mike before heading back to the colder climes of Yorkshire

A last evening meal in the sun by the beach for courier Mike before heading back to the colder climes of Yorkshire

Fresh local prawns, what a treat

Fresh local prawns, what a treat

It wasn't long before we were joined by some of the locals

It wasn’t long before we were joined by some of the locals

A closer look at this pretty tortie-and-white girl

A closer look at this pretty tortie-and-white girl

One ginger fellow was more daring than the others…

One ginger fellow was more daring than the others…

… got up on his hind legs and tapped courier M on the arm to remind him he was there!

… got up on his hind legs and tapped courier M on the arm to remind him he was there!