All too soon it was time to pack up our home from home and carry our belongings down the wooden stairway that led to the stony beach where we'd be picked up. At around midday, a speck appeared around the far headland which slowly took on the more defined familiar shape of the boat that had carried us here all those days ago. Mooring up in the middle of the fjord, the zodiac was winched down and headed over to us. After a couple of attempts to get it up onto the rocks, our ride finally made contact and we made the hairy few trips back out to the boat and up the ladder onboard, taking ourselves and all our worldly goods back with us.

On the final leg out, I picked up one of our bags to haul into the zodiac only to come face to face with Titch, who'd obviously come down to have a nosey and see what was going on. With the camera gear firmly packed away inside multiple layers of waterproofing, the only option was just to enjoy the encounter.

With everyone safely on board, we waved goodbye to Hornvik and began the slow and rough crossing back to Isafjordur, thankful for the sturdiness of our vessel as we crashed our way through the swells, eventually coming into the welcome harbour.

After being dropped off at our hotel for the evening, there was time for a much needed first shower for a week and time to head to the bar for happy hour before heading out for dinner. By the time we returned, pretty much everyone was grateful for an early night.

Up early for our flight back to Reykjavík, we said our goodbyes to Runar, and boarded our little plane for the short hop back to the capital and civilisation. Fortunately our return flight was on time and uninterrupted so before too long we were back at the domestic airport and we split up with one fellow photographer and I checking into our hotel in the city with the rest of the group stashing their luggage before heading off to their hotel down the coast at the airport.

After a bit of sightseeing and souvenir purchasing followed by a spot of lunch, Rob and I bade the rest of the group farewell. I had the afternoon to myself to have a wander around town and then Rob and I headed out for pizza in the evening before, as last man standing, I said my goodbyes to him as he was getting an early flight the following morning.

The following day I spent the time mooching around the city, being a tourist and marveling at how this was a complete world away from where we'd been such a short time ago. And then on the Saturday morning it was my turn to head off to the airport - and home.

Finally, I need to give thanks to my fellow hardy photographers, whose company and camaraderie made for an amazing and memorable trip that will live long in the memory -

Rob Munro, Ian McFarlane and Mike Wood

And to our knowledgeable and brilliant guides, my mate Andy Howard (andyhoward.co.uk) and the fox whisperer himself, David Gibbon (davidgibbon.org)