Iranian dreams and plans

Hi there,

I wanted to share our plans and expectations for the end of this adventure that has given us so much as a family and as people. We are still very much, 'on our trip' as it were but things have already been put in place for the return to; the normal life! We thought it was getting cold when we were still in Mashad waiting for our money and this was somewhat confirmed on the first couple of days biking when we had rain, cold nights in the tent and having to take refuge for the night in a restaurant as the rain and even stronger wind bashed against the windows. It wasn't fun and after last winter, we were not looking forward to dealing with it again especially with a young girl who needs to play outside. Then, it all changed. Sun, for ten days and more encounting. I hope it doesen't change as we're meant to be in the wettest region of Iran, the Caspian sea coast. We are currently in Nowshahr and will be heading towards Ramsar and Rasht tomorrow. Biking was expected to take less of an importance since Mashad but we kind of got a second wind after the money story and then the weather. It's never exactly easy with mountains and wind sometimes but neither is it hugely difficult. I realised that although our luggage is pushing 70 kg's each, the entire bike with trailer for each of us means the entire contraption that we pull is up to a 100 kg's each. This shows what a great machine the bicycle is and how anybody can get out and do this with a child or even two and just stop perhaps only thinking about it. Doesen't have to be a huge trip, doesen't have to be expensive either. Back to the plans, don't want to get too much into a role of expert because that is not the message.

After Rasht we will spend some time in Tabriz shopping and spending some time as tourists before heading into Turkish Kurdistan where we will bike our last kilometres hence closing the circle of our trip and route which will end up as Edinburgh to Beijing, from two ends! We will be really happy to finish our trip in Turkey and even more happy that we will be flying out of Istanbul as we all love that city. Infact, the country as a whole. The food, the people and the constant tea drinking. It's a bit like Iran without the chador and with beer if you like. I would describe Iran as vice-versa. Funnily enough l am not missing beer here. Treating it as a kind of cleansing operation after too much alcohol in China and Central Asia. We will therefore fly from Istanbul to Glasgow on the 20th of December after some relaxing and perhaps a party over what will probably be our last five days of the journey. Christmas in England and New Year in France before a return to Montreal and work and the future. First priority, a brother or sister for Oceanne! If anybody has plans to meet up in any of those places including Istanbul then please let me know, so that l can arrange things in advance. I am of course really excited to see any of you! I am also, l will warn you, expecting a beer or two, any drink infact, in exchange! I passed 14,000 km's ridden today pulling that weight l mentioned earlier so l am obviously in buoyant mood.

Much love, Rupert, Dorothee and Oceanne

20 Countries, 14,024 km's, 35 flats and 13 tyres