I realized when I posted that last post that not everyone knows what the plan is for this adventure. Back in January, Fuat (the guy that joined me on my Pacific Northwest bike tour last summer) wrote to me and asked mentioned he was interested in cycling Europe if he had a companion. "If you're asking, I'm considerin'!" It doesn't take much for me to jump on an opportunity. Today's mantra is say Yes unless there's a good reason to say No. It opens so many more doors!
So we've been lightly planning a 4 month tour of northern Europe. Lightly. We know we're flying into Dublin this weekend. And he has a return flight out of Dublin at the end of September. That's all we know for sure. Roughly the plan is to go to the west coast of Ireland then south around the tip. Ferry over to southwestern England and then ferry to northern France. Somehow we'll end up back in Dublin late September. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are on the list. Lots of TBD (to be determined). I'm so glad he likes to travel that way, too. The adventure unfolds in front of us:)
So what about my plans when Fuat leaves Dublin, you ask. Up in the air. If my hands don't get any worse, I'd like to fly to Cairns, Australia and cycle southward for 3 months. Then on to New Zealand for another 3 months. Then maybe stop in Hawaii on my way to the west coast. I've thought about flying into Portland OR and biking south to San Diego, then east to St. Augustine (you'll recognize those cities are where my daughters live), then north to home. So many options. We'll just have to see what the Universe brings my way:))
It's been quite challenging planning for a trip that I don't know how long I'll be away for. So I'm doing the planning for the longer trip and if I come home earlier...albeit.
What are the challenges? Access to money, for one. Taking care of my house, second. And taking care of my car, third. I luckily have 2 wonderful women renting out rooms in my house this time around. The gardens will be well maintained and the property enjoyed. And a friend that is my rock when I travel is watching the mail and my car for me. And overseeing any issues with the house. Couldn't do these trips without his love and support. Thank you, Dennis!!!!
So hopefully all the critical things have been addressed and anything missed can be managed from afar. Life is getting too complicated, if you ask me. And when I hit the road, everything becomes simple again...at least for me.
And to get Blaze to Europe, I had to build a box. It's quite a box! It's put together from 3 regular bike boxes and with bolts so I can disassemble in Dublin and store it for 4 months. It all comes apart and will store in the bottom with the lid on top. At least that's the plan.
So now I sit with only a couple of days left and trying not to think too much about anything and just enjoy these wonderful spring days in New York!
A tout a l'heure,
BagLady
So we've been lightly planning a 4 month tour of northern Europe. Lightly. We know we're flying into Dublin this weekend. And he has a return flight out of Dublin at the end of September. That's all we know for sure. Roughly the plan is to go to the west coast of Ireland then south around the tip. Ferry over to southwestern England and then ferry to northern France. Somehow we'll end up back in Dublin late September. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany are on the list. Lots of TBD (to be determined). I'm so glad he likes to travel that way, too. The adventure unfolds in front of us:)
So what about my plans when Fuat leaves Dublin, you ask. Up in the air. If my hands don't get any worse, I'd like to fly to Cairns, Australia and cycle southward for 3 months. Then on to New Zealand for another 3 months. Then maybe stop in Hawaii on my way to the west coast. I've thought about flying into Portland OR and biking south to San Diego, then east to St. Augustine (you'll recognize those cities are where my daughters live), then north to home. So many options. We'll just have to see what the Universe brings my way:))
It's been quite challenging planning for a trip that I don't know how long I'll be away for. So I'm doing the planning for the longer trip and if I come home earlier...albeit.
What are the challenges? Access to money, for one. Taking care of my house, second. And taking care of my car, third. I luckily have 2 wonderful women renting out rooms in my house this time around. The gardens will be well maintained and the property enjoyed. And a friend that is my rock when I travel is watching the mail and my car for me. And overseeing any issues with the house. Couldn't do these trips without his love and support. Thank you, Dennis!!!!
So hopefully all the critical things have been addressed and anything missed can be managed from afar. Life is getting too complicated, if you ask me. And when I hit the road, everything becomes simple again...at least for me.
So now I sit with only a couple of days left and trying not to think too much about anything and just enjoy these wonderful spring days in New York!
A tout a l'heure,
BagLady
