Animalcouriers delivered Penny, Leonard, Oscar and Spike to their various destinations in Spain, then drove on to Portugal to collect the first of our UK-bound passengers, Molly. It seems only right to have another friendly English Bulldog on board, now that Spike is back with Fernando. Molly’s been staying at the Merrylegs Pet Hotel in Loule, run by Logan and Laura. Molly is on her way to Birmingham to rejoin Fran.

We then headed to Obidos for a hectic reunion for Tinks, JJ, Dexter and Aslan with their family. As we drove away, we spotted several hundred pine trees with their bark scored and a cup attached to the trunk to collect the resin — it looked rather like rubber being collected in Malaysia. Pine resin is used principally for the production of turpentine and rosin (best known for its use on the bows of violins and other stringed instruments).

Then, just outside Lisbon, we met our next UK-bound passengers joined us — Eva and Magali. These two gorgeous felines belong to Susana, and they’re travelling to Coventry to join her. Helena and Rachael, Susana’s sister, were on hand to see them off‎.

Alycia with Penny and Leonard — Alycia is Rafael's sister, and will be looking after these two character cats until Rafael and Nicola arrive

Alycia with Penny and Leonard — Alycia is Rafael’s sister, and will be looking after these two character cats until Rafael and Nicola arrive

Oscar happily delivered into the arms of Pauline, who jogged all the way up the hill to meet us

Oscar happily delivered into the arms of Pauline, who jogged all the way up the hill to meet us

Lola getting big hugs from her owner Emma (R), with Mum Jo in the middle and sister Katie (L). Happy Lola dashed about, saying, hello! and, I'm home! to one after the other.

Lola getting big hugs from her owner Emma (R), with Mum Jo in the middle and sister Katie (L). Happy Lola dashed about, saying, hello! and, I’m home! to one after the other.

Handsome Spike heads off with owner Fernando

Handsome Spike heads off with owner Fernando

This view, en route from Estepona to Jerez, never fails to amaze us — the darker rock is Gibraltar, the lighter one behind is the Atlas mountains in Africa

This view, en route from Estepona to Jerez, never fails to amaze us — the darker rock is Gibraltar, the lighter one behind is the Atlas mountains in Africa

The pet hotel where we collected Molly, in Loule on the Portuguese Algarve

The pet hotel where we collected Molly, in Loule on the Portuguese Algarve

Logan pointing towards Molly, all settled in for her journey

Logan pointing towards Molly, all settled in for her journey

Tara's mum was quick off the mark to greet Dexter

Tara’s mum was quick off the mark to greet Dexter

The dogs were completely overdone by the fact that everyone was back together

The dogs were completely overdone by the fact that everyone was back together

Still for just a moment — JJ with Steve and Tara

Still for just a moment — JJ with Steve and Tara

JJ had to keep coming back for another cuddle

JJ had to keep coming back for another cuddle

During the journey, Aslan and JJ had walked together, but six-year-old Aslan (still a baby, really) was too boisterous to walk with 14-year-old Dexter. So here there are, seeing each other properly for the first time in a few days, with Aslan giving Dexter lots of kisses.

During the journey, Aslan and JJ had walked together, but six-year-old Aslan (still a baby, really) was too boisterous to walk with 14-year-old Dexter. So here there are, seeing each other properly for the first time in a few days, with Aslan giving Dexter lots of kisses.

Tinks telling John (Tara's dad) all about her trip

Tinks telling John (Tara’s dad) all about her trip

Tinks keeping an eye on everything from her vantage point on the patio, and making sure she doesn't miss out on all the homecoming excitement

Tinks keeping an eye on everything from her vantage point on the patio, and making sure she doesn’t miss out on all the homecoming excitement

Pine resin collection in Portugal— an average sized pine tree can produce 3 to 4 kg of resin a year. The trees produce the best quality resin during their growing period, between April and September.

Pine resin collection in Portugal— an average sized pine tree can produce 3 to 4 kg of resin a year. The trees produce the best quality resin during their growing period, between April and September.

The resin-tapper removes an area of bark at the base of the tree, exposing the wood below. Metal pieces are inserted into the tree to direct the resin flow into a bowl. The resin-tapper collects the resin from the bowl and from the cut in the tree. Over time the bark will grow over the original cut.

The resin-tapper removes an area of bark at the base of the tree, exposing the wood below. Metal pieces are inserted into the tree to direct the resin flow into a bowl. The resin-tapper collects the resin from the bowl and from the cut in the tree. Over time the bark will grow over the original cut.

Helena (L) and Rachael (R) gave Eva and Magali a proper send-off

Helena (L) and Rachael (R) gave Eva and Magali a proper send-off

Lovely pale ginger tabby Eva, slightly wondering what's going on

Lovely pale ginger tabby Eva, slightly wondering what’s going on

Cheeky Magali is very confident and likes a chat — she told us she's quite excited about relocating to England

Cheeky Magali is very confident and likes a chat — she told us she’s quite excited about relocating to England