toddler on tour

So, we’re really still complete novices as far as the cycling goes, and in spite of the numerous blogs, articles and conversations withfellow cycling families in a desperate attempt to educate ourselves, nothing can compare to learning from firsthand experience. Admittedly, we’ve only undertaken a small number of short-ish rides in the few weeks since our spontaneous decision to book our flights and yet I’m surprised at the sheer number of seemingly small and insignificant details I’ve noticed- which could, under the stress and circumstances of a large-scale tour, make all the difference.

We did 12miles again on Sunday- and here’s just a few things that captured my imagination as we went around…

With our current levels of fitness, Matt and I have a reasonably good foundation to build upon for our cycling tour. However, there is undoubtedly a great deal of work that needs to be done in order to ensure that we are able to cope with the long days, the difficult terrain or simply the consecutive days of significant mileage whilst towing all our gear.With just 15 weeks to go, time isn’t on our side- and although we’re in the process of getting started, it’s moving slowly.

So, after a great deal of contemplation and jumping back and forth along the way to making a decision, this week I handed in my notice at my job as a breastfeeding support worker in Liverpool in order to pursue our mutual desire to travel. The subject of work is perhaps one of the greatest [...]

Who says the British Passport Service isn’t efficient??

Just one week after sending off the application for Theo’s first ever passport via the Royal Mail ‘Check an Send’ service, it arrives in all it’s glory! Our little man is now legally able to leave the country- and we are one teeny, tiny little step closer to ‘D’ [departure!] day.

Taking the photo of a wriggly toddler is no easy feat, however, and against reccomendations we went for a traditional-style photo booth for the task. Whilst our little man miraculously sat still, the booth obliged us with a warning ‘BEEP!’ off centre to the camera prior to taking the shot- and naturally, Theo instinctively turned to the source of the noise. As such, his passport picture is slightly off centre, with him not looking directly at the camra- and I was dubious as to whether it would be accepted. However it appears the Passport Service are somewhat more lenient with younger children and his rather quirky shot was accepted- and will now haunt him for the next 5 years! Although I fully anticipate having to replace it long before then- if only for the fact that those gorgeous golden locks are on borrowed time, and before long, Theo will be undoubtedly sporting the slightly less cute brunette of his parents- and most likely look entirely different for it. That’s if he doesn’t destroy his passport in the meantime.

For anyone contemplating undertaking the same task in the near future, I would reccomend using a live person with a camera- and a bottomless supply of patience, a spectrum of bribes and favourite toys for capturing attention!

Oh, and Theo’s passport is now placed high out of reach- we know from experience not to risk those tiny inquisitive hands near anything precious.

Only 4999 more tasks to undertake before we leave…

Becki

The Craghoppers Website sell ‘World Travel Clothing’ and currently have their January sale going on. The spectrum of choice is excellent and even includes the ‘Bear Grylls’ range- clothes designed alongside the tv celeb and adventurer to deal with the extreme conditions faced on his expeditions. All the gear is designed for the active traveller [...]

15 weeks 5 days

So, just 10 days after our spontaneous purchase of outgoing flights and really, we’ve not accomplished much else as yet. Although 15weeks sounds like a lot, in the grand scheme of things we still have a lot to try and fit in- and the compulsive organiser in me starts to twitch when I remember that we don’t even have a return date or flight yet, let alone a route, half the required equipment or any idea of how much this could all eventually cost…! Must remain clam. Must remain calm.

Any concrete plans are currently on hold until we can determine how long we will definitely be going for. Considering work and finances are the foundation of our current state of stasis, but with any luck, we’ll have definite answers within the next 2 weeks and can then move forward. Until then, the point of focus is getting ourselves ready physically and undertaking all the research we can to ensure we’re as clued-up as possible before making any firm decisions. Knowledge is power- or so they say [...]

We are an adventure-seeking family of 3 from the sleepy hills of North Wales with the dream and ambition of escaping our mundane lives and seeing the world. On April 30th, 2011, we plan to take the first tentative steps of our dream by undertaking our first, rather modest adventure together as a family. We [...]