Wednesday, October 31, 2012

We're in Iceland!

Jack's "tail" luggage tag, handy for if dad and mum get distracted during our 72 hour journey!

Hitching a ride in Seatac


Iceland Air provided us with super affordable travel and really stellar customer service- nice and clean, good food, cheap luggage prices, couldn't ask for more!

Stickers!!!

Where we sit as I type this ;)

Iceland

Monday, October 29, 2012

The beginning of the journey

Jack's new t-shirt from Joe Bike
Today I finally got the pleasure of stopping by Joe Bikes in Portland and picking up my shiny new Yuba Boda Boda! It is just as stunningly beautiful as I had imagined, and I can't wait to take it for its first spin in England. I also picked up a t-shirt for Jack so he can share this great motto with our new peeps in Bristol. I wouldn't say the reality of moving to England has 100% set in yet, but it is certainly getting close now. Tomorrow morning bright and early, we leave Portland and head for Seattle where we will fly to Iceland, and then on to England. It's Monday as I write this and we won't actually finish our journey until early evening on Wednesday, it seems like an awfully long journey when you consider drive time, lay overs and flying. I haven't slept good in weeks at this point, I'm suffering from nerve pinches in my legs and have an achy back that complains at every step. It will be fabulous to get settled in to life in Bristol really soon!

Sidewalk shopping
Inside Joe Bikes

It's a Bodaful Life
The Boda Boda in my brother's truck, ready to be taken home for packing with the Mundo.




Our stack of luggage is huge now- we have two massive boxes of bike, 6 suitcases, 3 carry on bags, a stroller, a toddler car-seat and a few handbags, oh and a toddler! Did I mention we're flying for 13 hours with a TODDLER! I have had trouble finding a way to transport us and our luggage from Heathrow to our new abode, but managed to secure a driver and van just today. The price is surprisingly reasonable and they offer door to door service for only a little more than the cost of a van rental, except this way we can relax and enjoy the view, rather than contend with the traffic and congestion we will probably run into. They also offer assistance with loading and unloading which is certainly worth a few extra pounds to someone like myself.

Cool sign for someone who peddles their wares
Leaving our families and Beatrix behind has proved to be immensely hard on us, much harder than I expected. I have cried so many tears in the last few days as good friends have been left behind, it has been emotionally draining and left me numb, and yet I know nothing will compare to when we arrive at Seatac and have to bid goodbye to my brother and his family (and Beatrix, who is coming to say goodbye too).

Ahead of us is an uncertain and scary journey that we are calling an "Adventure". Life is so short and whilst the goodbyes have and will continue to be heart-wrenching, the truth is we have wanted this dream for so long and it's finally becoming a reality, it's time for new adventures, new thrills, new goals and new challenges.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Naked Mundo at Joe Bike

The Yuba Mundo waiting to be boxed for flight at Joe Bike in Portland

We're only 12 days away from our flight now and my beautiful bike is getting boxed up ready for flight at Joe Bike in Portland. It looks so naked, I can't wait to unpack it the other end and get it dressed again, although I think the Peanut Shell will be sitting on the Boda Boda from now on.

I have been staying very busy with the final sales of last minute items and packing suitcases. Kyle only has 5 work days left until he can stay home and help me, which is cause for celebration. On Saturday we're celebrating our Anniversary ( a little early), my Birthday (a little late) and our going away party. It will be bitter sweet to say goodbye to so many dear friends, but most of them have sworn to visit us within the next few years.

We're flying from Seattle with Iceland Air who apparently have WiFi, so maybe I will blog at 30,000 feet! I'm optimistic that Jack will sleep on the flight, but we will see how it goes. Thanks for reading!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Carrygo Bikes

You may remember in my Interview with a Cyclist posts, I got to interview Jocke Selin of Carrygo Bikes. Well, Jocke recently released a video of his awesome hand built cargo bike and I had to share:


Check out the Carrygo Bike Here!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Mundo in PDX

The Mundo just arrived in Portland and was greeted by my wonderful sister in law and niece. Stephanie and Amelia obviously wasted no time in jumping on for a ride, they are cargo bike riders too with a Kona Ute in the family.

Our friends were so nice to deliver the Mundo ahead of time for pre-flight packing at Joe Bike. My brother is going to cycle the Mundo over to Joe's in the next few days where it will join the Boda Boda, it all seems so real now and I'm both excited and nervous!