WHEN record-breaking explorer Catharine Hartley arrived back on English soil she had no doubt what she wanted first - a hot bath.

Catharine, 34, from

Chidham, near Chichester, made history when she and Fiona Thornewill became the first British women ever to walk to the South Pole.

The television stage manager arrived back at Heathrow Airport on Friday night to a media frenzy and cheers from family and friends.

Catharine spoke of the gruelling conditions she had endured during the 700-mile journey across

glaciers and mountain passes.

She said: "It was a most

extraordinary experience. For me, it was a real struggle because I didn't have any previous polar

experience.

"The conditions were quite tough. The temperature was on average minus 30 degrees. I wouldn't do it again.

"I just want to go home, have a hot bath and take it all in."

Catharine's mother, Mary, brother, Ollie, and 91-year-old grandmother, Barbara, were

all waiting for her at the

arrivals gate with balloons and posters to welcome her home. A placard on Barbara's wheelchair said: "Bravo Catharine, you made it to the South Pole."

Her flatmates were also there, wearing balaclavas and snow

goggles, waiting with a celebratory bottle of champagne for their famous friend.

A round of applause and loud cheers filled the airport as Catharine and fellow polar

walkers, Fiona and Mike Thornewill, appeared at the doors.

A tearful reunion with the

family Catharine had not seen since October followed.

Mary said: "I'm over the

moon to see her all in one piece."

Ollie, 32, said: "I'm very excited about seeing her. I've only spoken to her twice since October.

"There's so much we want to say to her. My mother broke her ankle and we had to keep it a secret from Catharine because we didn't want anything to get in the way of her focus."

At one point, a policeman had to step in to control the large group of cameramen, reporters, photographers, family and friends as other bemused people caught up in the celebration could not get past.

To prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, Catharine water-skied in winter, sat in chiller cabinets and pulled a tyre around a park to simulate the drag effect of her sledge.

During her two-month trek across Antarctica, Catharine climbed more than 9,000ft over glaciers, ice caps and mountain passes.

She walked for up to ten hours a day in temperatures that at

times dropped to as low as minus 48C.

Her achievement of reaching the South Pole on January 4 was even more incredible because at times it looked as if Catharine would have to be airlifted home early.

She had to overcome a severe attack of frostbite on one hand and was hoisted out of a deep ravine after a fall.

When the group reached their target - a week later than planned - Prime Minister Tony Blair sent a congratulatory note.

At the time, Catharine said: "It's just something I've wanted to do for many, many years. It's the ultimate challenge."

Catharine stayed with her

family in West Sussex for the weekend before beginning a round of media interviews this week, including one on the BBC TV children's programme, Blue Peter.

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