New Plymouth makes it harder and harder to leave.  First of all we have the best summer for several years, with the sea temperature warmer than we can ever remember and then we get one glorious sunset after another.

and this is why they call it Taradise!

Houston...this is mission control.....we have 12 days and counting..!
Yes...it's all starting to happen now. This week we've picked up our cash passport, allowing us to access our funds overseas....worked well last trip..so if it ain't broken....
A lot of small stuff to acquire and time to begin gathering our gear together to check we have everything required to help make the next three months as comfortable as possible whilst carrying the minimum amount of weight.
Our new tent arrived on Saturday from overseas and we put it up for the first time today. Very simple...very quick...and hopefully very waterproof....just in case it needs to be.
After a fantastic summer here in Taranaki, it will be extremely hard to leave our coastline and venture to landlocked countries to cycle. However we are very excited to once again be free and easy and on the road exploring the historic and beautiful landmass that is Europe..!
Bikes went in for a service today and will be fitted with some new components before we pack them up in their bike boxes for the flight to Munich. 

So now we are trying to have final catch-ups with friends and family before we bid them goodbye for three months.  I dare say the kids will be quite pleased to have the house to themselves and our employees will manage just fine without us.  Our parents will no doubt miss us but will hopefully enjoy reading our blog and experiencing this trip with us, along with anyone else who cares to read our blog.