Travels in the Van 2023 - Be Prepared













Richard has planned a route. He does it so well, both the journey and the bike routes. We pondered yesterday (with four days till D day) whether it's more exciting to know the delights in store or to experience it in the moment. I decide I’ll go for the mystery tour experience. Each day there will be unexpected little mysteries to ponder and read up about afterwards. I like it that way around - experience it first, read up about it later. 

When is it time to prepare for an eight week van and bike trip?  Three days is usually enough for a shorter trip, but a January start after a long wet autumn needs more vehicle prep. There is mental preparation in the actual slow packing. The cycling clothes quota is one shopping bag each and a bag for gear. Trying to keep the off-bike clothing reasonable, one shopping bag each is the aim. I always take too much. Two outfits should be sufficient, one comfy and one to dress up for the odd expensive restaurant. But that's not mentally possible though. It's the changing weather, the layers necessary for extremes. I'm an old hand by now but it doesn't get easier - I will inevitably take too much.

Our destination - Portugal Spain France.

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