All packed up and just about to go....

Summer 2014 has arrived, or to be more direct and honest; is well established and exceedingly hot touching the early to mid 50 degC range, is rather unpleasant and I am getting out of it because I can!

Following nearly fifteen months of planning, the meanderers are about to meet up and begin our transcontinental and transatlantic journey by rail, bus and sea.  Our self researched and booked itinerary spans 22 pages and is mostly prepaid until we reach Budapest, after which, plans become rather more adventurous and super cheap as we journey through Belgrade, Nis, and Sofia before taking our final night train on to Istanbul and returning to our resident countries by air.
Both Teagan and I have carry on luggage only, weighing in at 9.5 kg plus a small 'personal' bag, each.  Our clothing and extras consist of: travel wear and formal wear for our Cunard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic, digital devices (note the plural), and even Greenie (Teagie's trusty travelling scooter) amongst a range of other carefully selected paraphernalia. Following a final document check and packing approval from Teagie, we are ready to for takeoff at 11:59 pm.
I am hoping for some sleep on our flight to Amsterdam's Schipol airport where we have a nine hour wait:  whether we get out of the airport for a few hours or "play" at the airport depends solely on my 8 year old flying companion. I have dibs on her crashing (without warning) leaving me to a prolonged unwatered and unfed guard duty as she is too heavy to "hiff" over my shoulder anymore.

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!