Waiting for damage money

As you can see, we are looking totally stressed out about our damage settlement with Air Transat. Actually, we're having a very mellow July, and we enjoyed a lovely week at the beach at Port Burwell on Lake Erie. It did take some work on my part to put together the paperwork (letters, bills, etc) for our damage claim for two bikes. It was quite disappointing to see the amount of damage to my bike and to Matthew's bike. If I had any advice to give to other bike travellers, it would be to rent hard cases for bike travel. The cardboard boxes could not withstand the return flight mishandling. Now it's back to more relaxing, reading, writing, and sand castle building.

Home again, home again, jiggety jig!

Okay so it wasn't snowy, it was rainy when we got home. I needed a picture of my house and found a Christmas picture.

After 12 hours of travel, we made it home, and we were happy to see Ellevis the cat again. Our house seems enormous now!

The flight went well for us, and less well for the bikes. Pearson airport isn't quite as slick as Schiphol, and my bike sustained the most damage: bent forks, bent rear tire, lost seat post and seat. Matthew's box also was mangled and one tire is out of true. We'll find out Monday if my bike can be repaired. That was a big disappointment. We are all tired and ready for bed very early tonight! I already miss Holland. truste!

Matthew's birthday lego

When we got to Weesp we had to quickly go shopping for some lego for Matthew's birthday. Fortunately there is a Blokker, Matthew's favourite store, in this town, with Power Miners! Matthew is wearing his "voetball" shirt with Sneijder's name & number, which makes Matthew popular. A great win again last night, but a little noisy for us since the party room was on the other side of the wall from our room. Matthew and Sarah were so tired they slept right through it!

Oranje fever

I fit in a little with the locals with my orange stuff, but the family objected to being seen in public with me and my orange boa.

All finished and all healthy and happy

We made it! Over 400 km of distance, and not a single flat tire! No big crashes, and the couple minor spills were very minor. We have so much to be thankful for; excellent weather, safety, new friends, wonderful family gatherings, and heathly bodies. Thanks to God the creator of this wonderful country and the keeper of us all!

Back in Weesp and Tired!

We made it back to Weesp, after 55 km, our second longest biking day. Everyone was tired and hot. Today is Matthew's birthday, and he says that his present is that he gets to stop biking.

Cooling down at Anneka's place

The cool water felt so good!