Thanks Patrick.

As Dodie has found, it's hard to tell me that any one specific pastry or eis is not needed.

Hey Gramps. Love this post, BTW! It's money well spent, that's for sure. Sue and I might have to do the same spreadsheets when we get home to Vancouver. I'm sure that you don't regret one penny spent. Maybe, perhaps one more eis or pastry than you needed, eh? Great journal. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Northern Britain.

I see Thailand plays by different rules, none! They must make it up as they go. Shame. I think that’s why SE Asia doesn’t appeal to me besides the heat too. If they took my LiGo’s I think I would have a complete meltdown and not look too pretty! I haven’t heard of such a thing yet. Laptops & tablets have been flying for years so why suddenly ban them? Who knows?!
The extra battery has been a necessity & didn’t cost near as much as the LiGos. 6 LiGo’s only get me 35+ miles in windy conditions due to my heavy load. I really need to learn to lighten up. I like to go 40 to 55 miles a day. Then the 200 watt solar panel is a must have item too.
When I return I need to deal with Bike Friday to buy a new front rack for the NWT. Ho hum….

Hi Ellen, I am impressed that you found time to look at our journal when you are still on the road. We seldom look across to Crazyguy, but your description of your challenges right now encouraged me to go find your blog. I am starting from the beginning, and right away am amazed at your current gear configuration, and the ones of the past. It shows a lot of life skills and personal development already. For example, I never would have thought of sourcing a compact 36V 20 A battery and sending it from amazon.de (Actually the added weight, need for a place to put it, and cost on top of the ligos would have also scared me off).

btw I have been following a guy called William Taudien from Sweden as he travels in various countries. He is not a cyclist, but interesting. Something I notice is how calmly he deals with the various problems of travel. But one recent thing has me wondering. In Bankok he had his powerbank confiscated at security, who claimed only up to 8000 maH is allowed. (His was only 4000, but he could not proved it - that's beside the point). If there is an airport that is confiscating 8000 maH, what would they do to a ligo? Have you heard of this? p.s. It's just insane, because what would they have said to an ordinary laptop or tablet?? You can see the episode here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l8KaPoTG24 with the concerning action around minute 5:45.

We came back to the farm in quite a bit of disarray. For example we had to decide whether to windrow or chop the hayfield that our lawn had turned in to! Still, we have enough strength to turn some thoughts to the next trip - need to choose between Mexico and Spain (hate that jamon!) But before that we will run up and down the Gulf Islands a bit (if there are any motel vacancies!) and that could put us close to you. We could also go crazy and actually use a car to get together!

Hi Dodie & Steve, I love what you did with your meaning of life. Unfortunately I fall into the category of personal development as I am challenged with bike mechanics, flat tires, front rack breaking, no connector for battery, and controller overheating and it’s only day 21 of my tour. You sure need to think outside of the box in these situations. So I am going to say 50%. But I have met some very nice people for a positive note. I enjoyed your trip, your journals are the best. Hope to meet up someday! And yes they are masking in grocery stores in Germany so I had to dig mine out. Hope I can get on my ArrCan app, always changing the goal post!

When we first started cycletouring I used to keep a detailed account of our expenses Dont do it now as it is too scary! our first trip was London to Rome we were away 68 days and the expenses I recorded covered everything including the cat and dog in kennels, airfares, ferry fares etc The total was $16113 ie 9722 Euros (143 Euros a day) which seem amazing seeing we were coming from the other side of the world. Certainly it is hugely more expensive now but we do do it in more comfort!!

I like your breakdown and I think it works (for me at any rate) both at home or out on a tour. Glad you made it out and back in one piece this time and looking forward to an in person visit soon!

Stay tuned for the "having enough money" part, where we'll go through the costs. It does strike me that cycle touring as most people are now doing it requires many more financial resources than in the old days of camping and living on rice or noodles. Also all costs (airfare, accommodation, food) seemed to have jumped a lot.

To me (us) the greatest thing would be being able to do it and that depends on three things. If one breaks down it is not possible The three are
Having someone you love to do it with
Having the health to do it
Having enough money to do it

It's kind of puzzling. People in every European town know how to make good bread and pastry but in North America it exists but is hard to find.

Ah yes, seeking beauty and observing nature was the single most mentioned category, edging out food!

Looking at the food pics was painful. I always have withdrawals when coming home. I live in a metropolitan area of over 100k yet there is nary a patisserie or pasticceria anywhere near as fine as the ones I've come across in small European towns.

Oooooooh, I've had the cranberry Ritter Sport. Yum.