Maps and Routes

Finally we have maps - yes - paper ones too. Of course, it's unlikely that the routes we have marked out will be exactly the routes we take because travel is never that simple, but at least we have an idea of where we are going. Very exciting stuff!! It was incredibly exciting spending hours in the map shop (Stanfords in Covent Garden, and by the way it's huge and stocked with every travel guide and map you could dream of) picking out relevant maps. I love these very tangible experiences that make the trip feel REAL rather than a dream waiting to happen.

Something else most useful that we found is a small picture book of all kinds of objects. The point being you can point to the objects when you get into a situation in which us lazy English people are stuck and can't find an English speaker to help us. With the aid of this picture book and mad gesticulations, the communication barrier should be lifted. Hopefully. We thought of taking a few pictures of bike parts and even some of Britain, friends and family.