Nicky and Rob arrive at their destination - the Great Pyramids of Giza

A COUPLE from Times Territory have returned from a whirlwind tour of the globe – in a 50-year-old classic car.

Nicky and Rob arrive back at Hatfield House

Nicky West and Rob Stacey travelled 11,000km to Egypt in a 1961 Mini Minor, in support of the Willow Foundation, the Old Hatfield-based charity that organises special days out for young people aged 16 to 40.

The husband and wife team from WGC drove through France, Monaco, Italy, Greece and Turkey, eventually reaching the Great Pyramids of Giza before heading home in their 50-year-old, 850cc pride and joy dubbed “Morris”.

They returned to Hatfield House – from where they had originally set off 35 days previously – to a fanfare of friends, family and grateful Willow staff.

“It was a really good trip, the Mini was fine” said Nicky, 40, before adding: “It overheated a bit when we were driving across the Sahara.”

But it wasn’t all smooth driving – and not because of the lack of suspension.

When the original route was planned in January, Nicky and Rob were also set to drive through Syria, Jordan, Libya and Tunisia.

But with the troubles in the Middle East, the duo found their path blocked at the Syrian border.

Instead, they drove back through Turkey, Greece and Italy, catching a flight to Cairo and shipping the Mini to Alexandria, Egypt.

The plan was to travel by coach to Alexandria to pick up the car – but when arriving in Egypt’s second-biggest city, they were told it had been shipped to Spain.

“Those were the most horrific three days of my life,” said Nicky.

Thankfully, Morris was not in Europe – officials had the wrong documentation – and finally the pair were back on the road to see the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World.

Having reached Giza and posed for pictures with their trusty wheels, it was time to head home.

Flying to Vienna, the couple picked up the Mini and floored it back to Hatfield in just two days.

“I could barely walk when I got out of the car at Hatfield House,” said Nicky. “I’d been sat down for two days going over bumps.”

Nicky and Rob have set a fundraising target of £11,000 – £1 for every kilometre travelled – for their favourite charity.

Nicky said: “We don’t have any children ourselves, so helping young people is important to us, especially ill youngsters who just want a day out.”