And we're off!

Last but not least - final day Seal pup (Ciaran Hatsell)

Kitchen looking clean for the winter (David Steel)


Bedroom all sorted (David Steel)

Closing time on Brownsman (Ciaran Hatsell)

Everything but the kitchen sink leaving (David Steel)

Boat being packed

Goodbye Brownsman (David Steel)

The team celebrate in the pub!

Thursday 8th December comments: We've made it. Sunday was an epic day as the Farne Island wardens eventually departed west to the mainland for the winter. Following an early start, the cottage was scrubbed clean, hovered and eventually locked down as the boat arrived to take the Seal team away. Eventually we docked in Seahouses and that was that, we had returned to the mainland and the Farnes season was over.

As usual, the team celebrated into the small hours of Sunday morning and following a slow start (a few sore heads), everyone departed for home, from Oxfordshire to Lancashire and beyond. It's been a brilliant year, the team have been outstanding and they have achieved so much. Over the next few weeks, I'll bring you some of those highlights and look back at some of the great Farne moments from 2011 but until then, enjoy our final day photos. Thank-you for following.