We Were Joined By Stew’s Mum, Julie And Keith!

They flew from England to Vietnam and their 12 hour trip made us reflect on how far we’ve cycled.⁣

They came with 3 suitcases and a wheel bag delivering much needed items. Our 2 heroes brought all the snacks including chocolate hobnobs, marmite and walkers crisps. Ju even bought a taste of Christmas in the form of mince pies and mince pie porridge. Now devoured. ⁣

For the bikes they bought brand new sparkley parts including 4 x tyres, new⁣

cassettes, chain rings, a new chain, a new seat to replace Stew’s Brooke’s that⁣

broke after it fell in China (not bitter about that one at all haha). Stew has⁣

given the bikes a thorough service and they look amazing! The panniers are bright yellow after I scrubbed them ⁣

in the shower. I don’t want to take them out ever again 😜⁣

In return we gave Ju a black bag half full of…well…crap. How do you hoard⁣

on a bicycle?! Nothing in particular went back – the odd ticket from here and there and our bike parts that we replaced will make fine seconds, so they’ve gone home for another day. The black bag looked like that bottom drawer in the kitchen where you shove everything 😂⁣

My job was to make the kit as light as possible, but there wasn’t much to lose and since we GAINED a laptop…mission unsuccessful, but we’re happy!⁣

We spent 5 days together in Hanoi and did some touristy bits. I waited for Ju to fly out before triying some of the treats that Hanoi had to offer -this included egg coffee and this dry-ice desert. Neither wowed us but at least we tried!⁣

We visited the busy Old Quarter, the French Quarter and Long Bien Bridge. We ⁣

stumbled on Train street one evening, which was a great surprise becuase ‪the train was passing in 45 minutes and we had time to kill. It couldn’t ‬ have been more perfect. We stopped for dinner and watched the train race by. It was a fabulous experince.⁣

After we watched the Water Puppet Show – and we absolutley loved it! A must-do in Hanoi, in our opinion.⁣

It’s quiet without them, but hopefully we’ll catch them again in the USA. @ Train Street, Hanoi