So... 2014 is over....

2014 has been a year full of ups and downs... 

Crying... and joy... and dealing with funny looks from family...

With the year 2014 ended we are still adjusting to having said goodbye to a "member" of our family...

Our car..

Our car is the latest casualty of our drastic downsizing. We were going to keep it to travel (as you see on our other page) but unfortunately the costs of insurance were prohibitive (Just under£3000 for a year) to have the car overseas again, and we worked out it was costing us £221 a month anyway... so we decided to say bye bye to the car. Not easy, but a necessary decision.

After an emotional send off, we caught a taxi, a train, a bus and a airplane to return us to Portugal - oh yes, we were in the UK for 8 weeks to sort things out... now we have come back!

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It has been a few years since I last spent time in Portugal at this time of year (December/January)... and interesting it is too... its cold, yet warm... warmer than UK at least! You have to be fully dressed - inside. Touching a wall with bare skin is akin to touching the fridge or freezer... 

So here we are again...
A few months ago our plans and goals were a little sketchy. A little off. Things had happened in such a way that we were still trying to decide what to do.

But we have had a chance to refine our plans - and here is where people think we are nuts.

We have no car, yet we still plan to travel with 3 kids and all the extras that involves.

How? 

By Bike. (push bike)... 

So we are not going to go far without the car right?

Wrong... :)

We are buying the kit we need to take the kids and to travel. So far we have the kids trailers... just missing our bikes now...

So to the left here is the double buggy for the 2 youngest. (Halfords)



On the right is the larger trailer to carry our eldest. (Weehoo!)

These trailers may cost a pretty penny, but will keep the kids safe and engaged with what happens around them... Although I get the feeling I will be breaking up fights between the two youngest ones quite often!

As they grow I will have to re-evaluate the trailers and bikes. 

Meanwhile I am going to collect my new bike... not from down the road or a few miles away... no no... 

I am flying to Scotland... to collect the bike and bring it to Portugal... It is cheaper... !

It's not all set in stone nor is it all finalised as to what bike my wife and Eldest will get.

But we are on our way. The dream is one step closer.

Plans and routes to follow soon. Whoo!

For now... Wish us luck!