Santa hats on show as HMS Blyth returns to Britain They left before the Olympics - that's a long time ago. They are very proud and the Navy really appreciates the job that they've done. We are working our people really hard and we're particularly pleased we've got them back before Christmas. HMS Blyth anchored to the sounds of the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland and the crew rushed down the gangplank to hug their loved ones, many of whom held "Welcome" banners. Lieutenant Commander Tim Davey, Commanding Officer of the minehunter, was greeted by wife Caroline and daughters Ellen, seven, and Lauren, three. Lt Cmdr Davey, 37, from Somerset, said: "It's fantastic, it's lovely to be home just in time for Christmas. The entire crew are looking forward to spending the festive season at home and taking a well-deserved break. Mrs Davey, 36, said: "It's been a long six months but it's a fantastic Christmas present for everybody. It's wonderful. So many families turned out in the pouring rain but it's definitely worth it to see everybody come home safe and well. There are such a lot of service families who won't have partners and husbands back for Christmas. HMS Blyth served as a "command platform" during minehunting exercises and surveillance at sea. The crew left their Nato colleagues at the beginning of December and made their way home after brief stops in the Turkish ports of Mersin and Aksaz. Lt Cmdr Davey said: "Unfortunately we didn't bring the Mediterranean weather back with us." He said of the mission: "What the deployment shows is how the Royal Navy helps promote stable and co-operative relationships with friendly and neutral nations around the world. It was with some sadness that we said goodbye to our multinational colleagues. The deployment was the last for Petty Officer Al Gibb, from Edinburgh, who is quitting the Navy - and the UK - for a new life in Australia with his soon-to-be wife Beth Smith. The couple met while naval woman Ms Smith, from Brisbane, was on an exchange to Navy school HMS Collingwood in Fareham, near Portsmouth, Hampshire. They are due to marry on August 31 next year. PO Gibb, 37, said: "After 17 years in the Navy, I'm not only finishing this deployment but that's me come to THE end of my Navy career to start a new life. For the moment I'm just looking forward to getting back to Edinburgh, getting the central heating on and sitting down and relaxing for a bit. In January I'll be moving over to Adelaide. Ms Smith, 33, said: "I was up at 3.30am, I couldn't sleep, I was so excited. It's been strange being on the other end because, being in the Navy myself, I'm usually the one away on deployments. PO Gibb said he was looking forward to better weather Down Under. He said: "A lot of the weather on the way back, from Turkey onwards, has been horrendous. You can imagine how we've been bobbing around on here.