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Location Date Europe 
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Location Date West Bromwich 1539298800 Coniston
1514851200 Dover 1503097200 Taplow 1502838000
For those of you who aren't friends with us on Facebook you may be wondering what has happened to us. We have heard indirectly comments such as 'we have fallen off the map, gone into a black hole, dissapeared into oblivion' - not quite. We flew home from Croatia, then had an appointment with JD Tandems in North Yorkshire. The good news was that Titty's frame wasn't twisted or damaged so it was just the rear wheel, mudguard and pannier frame that needed replacing. We took Titty for a test ride in North Yorkshire and she felt as good as new. A week after arriving back in England I went back to work at my previous employer (PAL Adhesive Products) after they contacted me to see if I wanted to earn some money before we resume our tour. Donna decided she would be a lady of leisure! We decided not to stay at home at Christmas and New Year but to head to the Lake District as we normally do each year. So we have had almost two weeks of walking the mountains in sunshine, rain, fog, snow, sleet, hail and lots of wind - we've had the lot! I will be working a few more weeks and we will both be busy revising our kit list and sorting out flights for late January to resume our tour. Happy New Year everyone, let's hope 2018 goes smoothly!
- comments
Jim We'd heard you were home and relieved that that was so! Receipt of an unexpected Christmas card also suggested you were back. It was indeed bad luck having your accident in Croatia but admire your decision to continue. Ever thought of doing it on foot coupled with public transport? Tandems!! Love or hate them they are certainly not the panacea of a his and her cycling solution.......as you're finding out! We wish you continued success but do ere on the side of caution and your experiences thus far.
Tony You are quite right, travelling by tandem has it's problems. If you want to miss a bit out then getting the tandem on a train or bus is difficult at best but often impossible. Flights aren't easy either unless you can manage to get boxes large enough and something to pack them out to cope with some 'baggage handlers'. However we will be carrying on with the tandem but sending the tandem home and using public transport is an option that we have thought about sometime ago.
Jim Indeed so! There are, in your circumstances certainly, very few advantages of riding a tandem. In my opinion, and it is mine only, the only real advantage is companionship in all of its facets. Ensure your rear wheel is fit for purpose........as discussed all the months ago.........nothing less than a 48 cross 4. l rather imagine that you now know and understand the stresses that this component undertakes even without the loads you tow. I wish you nothing but success and a fair wind. Bon Chance. PS: We completed the High Pass Route of Switzerland in September.....quite arduous in a few places......some bloody awful weather but a few good days too. Now l'm going to work in Canada!
Andy Whatever you do, our Liz's advice is to embrace minimalism. She's just done 4 months touring the whole of S.America with just a 32ltr rucksack. She found it very liberating and the best decision she's ever made and was the envy of her fellow travellers who were burdened with large/multiple bags. She never had to leave bags anywhere and never had to put a bag in the hold on plane or bus. Glad you're getting out again and good luck with whatever you do.