Rosie is pictured at the reception at Harper Collins with Susanna Abbott, editorial director at Harper Non Fiction, on the far left, then Dominica from Watson Little; James Wills from Watson Little; Sallyanne Sweeney from Watson Little; James Swale, Rosie's son; Mandy Little from Watson Little; Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, Mayor of Tenby, and her Mayoress, Sam Reohorn; and Alex Karmel, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham.

'It's great to be back!' proclaimed Tenby adventurer Rosie Swale Pope MBE this week.

Rosie has just returned home after her two-week run to London to celebrate the launch of her book, 'Just A Little Run Around The World', and to raise funds and awareness for the prostate cancer charity, which is close to her heart after the illness claimed the life of her husband Clive.

Rosie was sent on her 246-plus mile challenge amid cheers from friends and neighbours at a party at her home on May 15.

Also in attendance was the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, who travelled up to London last Friday to greet Rosie and attend a reception at the headquarters of the publishers, Harper Collins.

"I was thrilled to be able to go and was over the moon to be able to share in Rosie's celebrations," said Clr. Mrs. Lane.

Also present was Alex Karmel, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Pulling her home on wheels, Icebird, Rosie's two-week trek saw her take the scenic route to the capital.

"I had a fantastic send-off in Tenby and it was so touching so many of my friends and neighbours came along to see me off," said the 62-year-old grandmother, who was so pleased to run the first few miles with her neighbours Tracey and Steve Thomas.

"I stayed in my cart every night, except once when I was near London. I did around 15 miles a day and any extras I banked in case of emergencies.

"All along the way I met brilliant people. It was very worthwhile, as it definitely heightened people's awareness of cancer.

"I proudly wore both my Tenby Turkeys vest and my prostate cancer t-shirt and raised around £500 along the way for the charity."

Two days before reaching the end, however, disaster struck when Icebird's shafts broke and the cart crashed to the ground.

"I think it had stress fractures, just like I did last August, and it came out in sympathy with me," said Rosie, who was awarded the MBE for charitable services in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

However, her son James tracked down an aluminium mobile welding company on the internet, who rushed to her aid and fixed the cart to enable her to continue with her trip.

"It was an expensive job, but I was so glad to have it fixed and be able to arrive in London in fine style," added Rosie.

During her time away, Rosie was featured in the Daily Mail and Woman's Weekly, as well as appearing on last Friday's This Morning show with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford to talk about her book which details her five-year global trek on foot and promote the cancer message.

"The crew were lovely and so warm-hearted. Eamonn and Ruth were delightful and I took to them straightaway and it was good to get the message across about how important it is to go for cancer checks," continued Rosie.

"Lots of people have said they watched the show and that they enjoyed my appearance."

From the TV studios, Rosie hot-footed it to the Harper Collins offices in Fulham Palace Road, where a special reception was held with representatives of the company, the two civic dignitaries, Rosie's agents and some of her friends and family, including Richard Agostinelli from Chicago, the brother-in-law of her friend Bob Collins, who she met in Alaska, and who was on business and had stayed on an extra day in the city to attend the event.

"It was great to see everyone and I am so glad the book is doing so well," continued Rosie, who admitted she had yet to get a copy!

"Although I don't have one myself yet, when I do get my copies, I'll be sending one to The Queen who asked for one at my investiture ceremony and also Prince Charles, who sent me a lovely letter of support when I was on my travels.

"It was quite a hard run, but people were endlessly good to me."

'Just A Little Run Around The World' is now number eight in the Amazon charts.

"I am so humbled about the way the book has turned out and it's a huge surprise as how well it's doing already. People at Harper Collins have been so kind and supportive, but I must give a special mention to Laura Summers, their non-fiction publicity manager, who is a star in herself."

Rosie still has a hectic time ahead of her. She's off to Caldey Island next week to give a talk to the monks, before returning for her first book-signing at Tenby's WH Smith in High Street, on Saturday, June 20, at 12 noon, and then the next day travelling to Swansea to give a talk for Ty Hafan Children's Hospice.

But before she heads off again, Rosie's been enjoying all the beauty Tenby has to offer.

"Tenby really is paradise and there is no better place in the world," she said.

"I've been running across the beach this week and been in the sea for a swim which has made me appreciate how gorgeous is the place we live."

Icebird meanwhile will be back in the county on Monday and will be returning to Peter Thomas's Magpies Next Museum at Templeton.