Goodbye Europe

The Teva's have died. A minutes silence please.

These loyal sandals have carried me through streets of Ho Chi Min city, soaked up the smells of Cambodia, crossed over 5000m on the death road in Bolivia, walked through elephant dust in Botswana, Hyena dung in Kenya and seen the dog wonders of Europe.
They have sufficient organic material embedded into them MAF NZ would be requesting a quarantine period to see if the creature has fully expressed itself with its unique "international fragrance".
Like a skunk they have developed their very own defence mechanism which is not always to every one's liking.  Mellsop wanted to tie them to the rear bumper of the car, my children challenged their Spanish tongue  sourcing a neutralising agent in Peru and on many occasion they have been relegated to outside the door and never been nicked.......Lets face it they are just about have been the only thing that has not been nicked.
So after leaving my boots to some lad in Africa, my old running shoes to a dust bin in England and now the Teva's dying the only footwear I have left is my old crocks. (Not sure that I'll cut the fashion magazine in New York and I'll probably have to show a bank statement to the US immigration to prove that I can afford to live in the country.)

It is an interesting observation that as time has progressed through this holiday our packs have got lighter. When you remind yourself that you have to carry it for the rest of your journey there is a reluctance to purchase the lovely........ whatever.
Weight has always been an issue if you are a budget traveller using public transport. Hauling 32kg up and down stairs through metro's and down old cobblestone roads is not my idea of fun. As we have completed each segment of the holiday we have shed gear that we won't be using again and not particularly interested in hauling all the way back home.
Of course we have been assisted with our keen men in Cairo and Barcelona. All this is about to change as we fly through New York and San Diego on our way home.
I've already discovered Amazon.com and purchased my new Teva's and have topped up Bronni's smart card to take advantage of the high exchange rate. Last time I travelled through this country NZ$1.00=US$0.45.
Update
We are sitting in the Charles de Gaul Airport Paris waiting for our plane.

Friday was our last day of the bike ride as we rode the 70km from Angers to Saumur. The skies were clear, the sun was out, there was a slight breeze on our backs and the muscles were eager for a workout after having a lazy day.
It was a beautiful cruise which included amongst the usual some old slat mines, a river crossing on a punt boat,  caves made as houses with their chimneys just poking out of the ground on top of the bank, pip and stone fruit orchards and us biking an extra 10km when we lost the marked Loire trail and instead followed another trail to some famous (well I'm sure it must have been famous) ruin.

On Saturday we trained to Paris and after having a lazy time wandering around some arty market we finished the day by splashing out and going to a comedy show.

Both of us have mixed emotions because this epic adventure is quickly coming to an end. While we look forward to seeing family and old friends, having Cornflakes with Sanitarium Muesli and  Marmalade on toasted Vogels bread for breakfast and getting the boat ready for summer, we could easily continue with a new challenge..... and I'm sure we will.



Warning to all. Remember to lock your bike

2 padlocks no less