The day dawned grey and windy on the 13th June and Bridget and I woke up at about 5:30am and promptly went back to sleep again. We were woken again at about 6:30 by mum bringing us a cup of tea in bed. That’ll be the last time that happens to me for a few thousand miles.
I’d packed everything the night before so had nothing to do but shower, dress and wait for the taxi to take us to the airport. Mum made sandwiches. That’ll be the last time that happens to me for a few thousand miles.
It all felt very final and despite hugs and a few prayers from mum, I was tearful. In fact we’ve all been tearful over the last few days. Me off on this ridiculous journey, Bridget off to New Zealand and everyone else staying in their right and proper place at home. What the feck are we doing!
All went smoothly at Heathrow and I wasn’t even charged for the bike. Result! Hope it survives the journey. Bridget checked in about an hour later and broke a personal record for being the first time she’d checked in first for a flight! That may have had something to do with me making her arrive five hours early for it. Very tearful departure when my flight left. Bridget, if you’re reading this, I’m coming for you! It’s just the end of one chapter and the start of another. Try to prevent your mother from setting you up with a ‘nice Kiwi bloke’!
Just got to Seattle. Nothing to say – it’s an airport. It’s now 3am for me and 7pm for everyone else. Can’t wait to get on a bike and travel at a more human speed. Slightly concerned about the bike box. It arrived on a trolley through the oversized baggage exit with a whole load of other people’s baggage stacked on top. I’ll only know what condition the bike’s in when I try to put it all back together in Anchorage.
More tomorrow…
Patagonia Pete 
So it has begun.
Here’s to there always being air in your tyres.
thinking of you and bridget….it can only get better.
Keep posting!
Everyone at work v impressed.
love Bin
Awww, was thinking of you on Sunday and meant to send a text but forgot and was then insanely busy yesterday. Hope Bridge didn’t suffer any ash cloud issues (not a euphemism) and that your move on went fine and the bike is intact. For about 10 days I’ve had the Michelle Shocked song “Anchorage” in my head. Don’t get self important – it’s really because Bob Harris played it on R2 last Saturday and took me back to my youth. However, it’s not a bad track to play on your internal jukebox right now.
Look forward to updates that will turn me green with jealousy and itchy in my feet.
C x
Sure the bike will be fine, and anyway, square wheels are more modern ok?
Ps. Was it upright? Check your hub for leaks if not.
So much respect for what you’re doing, I would bottle it for sure, the up-coming London to Brighton is daunting enough
Remember, if the bears come for you a wet towel snap to the testicles does the trick (maybe)
Keep the updates coming!
Good luck to both of you. Sent you a message but JP tells me your phone was suffering!
Yeah, my old office phone died about three days before I was about to leave. My whole navigation was based on it so I went and bought an iPhone 4, only to discover that in Alaska the only provider, AT&T, don’t do pay-as-you-go for an iPhone, I’m not eligible for a contract and that even if I were there is very little coverage outside Anchorage. Doh! So no phone until the Lower 48. Most of my telephoning was going to be by Skype anyway.
How it all going back there?