At last - it's arrived!  My new touring bike, all safe and sound.  I'm so excited.  I got the opportunity to change my order because the supplier was having a problem getting the 2011 models, so I upgraded to a Cube Delhi Disc 2010 for half price.  Bargain.  It is well worth knowing that at this time of the year the bike suppliers sell off the current year's models at really cheap prices.

We've spent this morning fitting the pedals, bottle cage, handlebars and adjusting everything - in the middle of the kitchen because it is raining so hard outside.  The forecast is for several more days of rain, which is really frustrating because I want to try the bike out.  

I've spent the half a dozen or so rainy days we've had so far this year planning more of the route and producing a checklist of everything we need to take on the trip.  The web-site 'Travelling Two' is proving to be a great resource, with loads of advice on all manner of things for the novice bike tourist.  Once we've had a few runs out on the bikes without any luggage we're going to pack the panniers and get used to riding with the heavier weight.  With luck we'll get a better spell of weather and get the opportunity to go for a longer ride with an overnight stay.