Murphy's letter to his owner

Eve Stuart-Kelso's garden gnome, Murphy, disappeared from her Gloucester home seven months ago.

He has recently turned up on her doorstep with a photo album and a letter, explaining his desire to go on a world trip.

Hello! First of all I feel I should explain my prolonged absence.

A gnome's life is full of time for reflection, and whilst surveying your garden one summer morning, I began to get itchy feet.

I came to the conclusion that the world is a big place and there is more to life than watching the daily commuter traffic, and allowing passing cats to urinate on you.

So I decided to free myself from the doldrums of the Shire and seek adventure.

My travels have taken me across three continents, 12 countries and more time zones than I can possibly remember.

There have been high points, low points, and positively terrifying points. But I have survived - small thanks to the companion with whom I have shared all these moments."