Ka Pai Kiwis

Today we picked up the bike from Gravesend. We pick up our visa for China tomorrow and on Saturday we head off on our adventure. We’ve been so lucky to have been able to stay with Chris and Karen, Callum, Matthew and Nathan. They have put up with us for longer than expected and have been fun to stay with. The big challenge now is to fit all our gear onto the bike. Mark is very calm about it, I am a little nervous that I have squeezed in just a few too many essential items. The weather forecast for the next few days is showers, so I guess we will be testing how effective our gear is. Nice ride back to Chelmsford only took one wrong turn!

Arrived safe and sound. Got over our jet lag. Have spent the last few days shopping for bits and pieces and catching up nieces and nephews. Robyn has been really excited wandering around the local auto parts shop looking for chain lube and octane boost. Karen and Chris are kindly putting us up. We have a China visa appointment on Wednesday and can collect the Tiger on Thursday. We have walked and walked and walked so hopefully this will add to our fitness for what is to come. The weather has been average but the coming week looks good. It is cool to be back in London with so much happening and just an alive feel about the place. I’m not getting lost as much as I used to, thanks to google. How we ever survived without it I don’t know. 

I can’t think of a more appropriate toast to begin this adventure than Shackleton’s whisky. Cheers everyone

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Visas Visas Visas. Permits Permits Permits LOI, VOA, GBAO, VGN, CDP, LOL. This how we spend lots of time and money!!!

A week to go! Down to the final preparations now. 

A good day. Our first Visa has been issued after we have been stressing about how long it could take to arrive. Great to have the first one under our belt. The good ship Nordmaple has arrived in Tauranga to carry our precious cargo to Blighty. It feels like its coming together. Woohoo