MTB-Glentress/Tweed valley

Like ourselves, Tom and Sarah are keen mountain bikers, so when the sky’s finally cleared on the 30^th, we were all keen to head to the hills and explore the infamous 7 stanes.

We headed to Glentress which is one of the oldest and most developed tracks. Jen received her initiation to MTB in fine form but escaped unscathed (a credit to her). At the end of the day they was a great nosh stop in a glorified shed which served beautiful hot food including nachos, spuds, flat jacks(whatever they are!) and mammoth milk shakes.

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Bridgette

Bonnie Scotland 30/12 to 3/01

Shortly after arriving in the UK, before recovering from the jet lag, we were off to see our friends in Edinburgh. Tom and Sarah are both doctors who we met in Tasmania and are now living north of the border.

Our adventure started a 6am getting to the station with our mountain bikes and ruck sacks on our backs. Slightly wobbly but we got to Kings Cross station on time. We were met with the Scottish weather I so dearly remember from a winter elective in Aberdeen: rain. Not your average rain, but drenching rain and wind that made it horizontal.

We were not so fortunate the next day awaking to drizzle and howling wind. But this was not going to perturb the hardcore tourists we are. So Jen, Pete and I gortexed up and ventured down to the Scottish parliament building to see what all the fuss was all about. Now I am sure Pete will write an extensive entry about the architectural master piece and include lots of photos so I will spare you the detail. But even after the tour and explanation of design I was till left begging. What I did like was the thinking chairs which each of the MP had to THINK before they met, the bike racks that don't look like bike racks and the wonderful ceiling.

The rest the day was spent wondering the streets, getting wet, looking at shops, getting more wet and taking photos of very, very old buildings. By the end of the day Jen and I were starting to gain a good understanding of rising damp as our jeans were wet to the knees. I couldn't come at gortex over pants while in town and according to the Scots a mini skirt is apparently still ok (no rising damp!).

The next day there were grand plans to go hill walking however these met there demise in the car park at the bottom of the hill as the rain teemed down outside none of us were keen to venture at in to the wet. But to our surprise about the car park was full so 30 other people were obviously not perturbed. We went back into town and found a coffee shop called toast and had breakfast. Then Pete and I went of sight seeing... in the rain. We did find a fantastic little photography book shop just off the royal mile, Victoria St I think. That night I was introduced the card game “up the, river down the river” which we whittled our evenings away with. And Pete you can't play trumps just when you feel like it!

Bridgette

Australia to UK

Thanks to Pete's and my parents my bike box, rucksack and myself arrived on time at Hobart airport. Virgin airlines noted the bike box to be heavy but ok, weighing in at 28kgs. I was reminded in the new year bikes would no longer be free.

Tears were shed.
But then off across the runway, the trip was finally happening.

Since I had given plenty of time between the domestic and international I had 5 hours to kill in Melbourne. First I picked up my bike box which not only weighs 28kg but is 0.3 x 1.5 x 2m, not the most mobile of objects even with a trolley. Thankfully I managed the escalator and to maneuver it in to a coffee shop where I was able to hide till my plane was ready for boarding. I got a bit nervous about the weight of the box and decided to re pack putting things like vegemite in my hand luggage... big mistake.

The flight to Singapore was uneventful, 2am stop over, bleary eyed. Then had three seats to my self and slept through to Vienna. Off in Vienna to transfer to a smaller plane. Through security again, but they didn't like the vegemite.... I tired to explain it was for toast, one whiff and to the bin. Onwards to London, off at Heathrow to be met by Pete thank god, he took over the bike box.

Anyone flying to Europe, be aware the hand luggage restrictions have changed, 100ml containers only and only 5 of these. So basically no duty free alcohol into the continent. These Austrians must be having some pretty good parties with all the grog they are confiscating.

Bridgette.

first landing..

Well, 6 weeks have past and boy has the time flown. 6 weeks of catching up with friends from home, working and enjoying the festive spirit. And now to complete my first Christmas abroad, Bridgette has finally arrived in London.

It may seem like I'm getting over-excited about this, but it has a very significant meaning. It officially marks the beginning of our cycle adventure. All that is in the way of jumping on our bikes is the final stretch of saving for me, and bridgette's course at the London School of Hygine and Tropical Medicine. So it is full steam ahead.

I took this photo on my first night in London as I was walking around completely jet-lagged. The Christmas lights on Regent St. are quite impressive to say the least.

Better be of as I have to try and get this Blog to fit properly in our website.

till next time,

pete