NEW Year, new continent.

After cycling more than 23,0000km through 27 countries, intrepid adventurer Jilly Sherlock is looking forward to taking on the next step in her round the world adventure.

She has cycled through snowy ice fields, hiked to remote lakes, camped on mountain tops and even got trapped in avalanche debris.

After being made redundant, Miss Sherlock embarked on an exciting adventure in April 2011 which has seen her cycle from her home in Felixstowe across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

With nothing more than a backpack full of essential items, a tent and her trusty bike, Miss Sherlock has enjoyed a minimalistic lifestyle as she embraces different cultures.

“I continue to experience the wonderful serendipity of life on the road receiving generosity and kindness from people I’ve met.

“Christmas is always a time when you yearn for your family and friends. Last year on Christmas Day morning I was camped in the inhospitable landscape of the Taklamakan Desert in Western China in -25C.”

She had expected to spend this festive period alone, but was delighted when a couple she met in New Zealand invited her to stay at a lodge in a remote bay on the Fjordlands of the South Island.

To get there Jilly undertook a 200km ride down a remote road then 20km along a gravel track to reach a conservation hut.

From there she hopped on their helicopter and was flown to their lodge on Christmas Eve.

She left on Boxing Day and embarked on a four-day walk back to the hut where she had left her bicycle.

The next part of her journey will take her to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, in Argentina. She will set off for Chile in February and then set off on a journey to Ushuaia, where she will cycle north following the spine of the Andes to Colombia.

Jilly appealed for readers to donate �5 – her daily budget – to assist her with her journey. Anyone who does donate on her website sherlocktales.blogspot.com will receive a postcard from her location.