A woman who entered the record books when she reached the South Pole is

warming to her creature comforts after flying home.

Zoe Hudson, 32, who made history as a member of the first all-female group to conquer both the North and South Poles, is easing back into everyday life after 60 days on the ice.

She said: "It's fantastic. It is sad that we left because it was such an amazing place but its good to be home.

"It's great to see colours again, to sleep in a bed, sit in a chair, eat with a knife and fork - all the silly little things that you take for granted."

Zoe, a chartered physiotherapist in sports medicine and formerly of Bramhope, survived on a high-fat diet of sugary cereals, chocolate and reconstituted meals to keep up her energy levels on the 695 mile trip and is also craving a taste of home.

She said: "I can't wait to sit down to some Yorkshire Pudding. I have been dreaming of it"

A jubilant Zoe returned to a hero's welcome at the end of the arduous trek through the wastelands of the Antarctic, which also raised money for the charity Special Olympics, and had an emotional reunion with her mother. She said: "I thought about my family and friends an awful lot when I was out there.

"We were out there for Christmas and New Year and we knew that everyone was at home celebrating. It was brilliant because my mum came down to the airport to meet me."

The intrepid explorer said that morale between the five women remained high and the team members developed strong relationships.

She said: "Even with family or husbands you never spend 24 hours for 60 days with another person. The five of us knew each other really well because we were preparing for two years so we had no problems."

The group also grew accustomed to the harsh conditions of the arctic.

She said: "You get used to sleeping in a sleeping bag because there isn't another option. When you are on skis hauling a sledge tires your body out."

Zoe said she is content to stay closer to home for the time being - but says she may be bitten by the travel bug again.

"I want to just sit and enjoy this for a while. But I have always had a bit of

wanderlust. It is something in-built. I just get itchy feet and I have to go."

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