New luggage

It is time; the luggage fiends buy again!  Both Ross and I love our luggage.  The "relationship" began with my career as I began to travel and detest waiting for the luggage carousel.  

Ross and I successfully travelled for three weeks together through mid-winter Europe back in 2001 with merely carry-on board items.  This continued until we had the kid.

Ross (a long time ago) standing with our complete luggage collection in Frankfurt.

Travelling between Qatar and NZ has also necessitated somewhat larger cases as I stock up on honey, buttons and vegemite.  However, for the past year we have managed to travel on our European trips with backpacks.  These packs are of the tramping variety and do not facilitate ready access or quick train exits wearing long down-filled coats.

Teagan with her Lands End back-pack wheelie and Ross with his big pack

The net result was the expensive decision to purchase high-end travel luggage designed for the "one-bag" traveller and capable of going on-board.  

Teagan has had major value out of her Lands End wheelie.  It is more than big enough for her standard gear (even her helmet straps onto the front), it is a good size and fairly light in weight.

Helmet strapped onto the front of Teagie's wheelie

Tom Bihn was the answer for Ross and me after a lot of reviewing.  This gear is amazing and I am impressed with the company's marketing and innovation.  Luggage is made in Seattle in the same room as the company owner.  Now we wait for our expedited UPS package to arrive - in time for Ross to head off to Geneva for a work trip and in time for Teagan and me to head back to NZ (of course we will be checking on our super sized cases for that trip!).  If you are interested in Tom Bind luggage here is the link.  TOM BIHN.

A final note:  as we were trawling the internet for luggage reviews, we stumbled across a variety of luggage packing You Tube videos.  Did you know that someone can demonstrate how to "fold socks" and it takes 6 min and 4 seconds.  Needless to say, tears were streaming down my face as I watched the video.  Here is the link if you want to be "rather amused": How to fold socks!