Just keep dreaming...

Coz you gotta have dreams.

Well, I have a few actually but just picking one, for a moment, this is it.  Specifically the MK3 from Cargo Bike Australia. I can't see myself doing much more except continuing to try and save up for one for now, but it never hurts to hold on to a dream... and it's a small one compared to the others I have!  I've emailed a few times now with Cargobike and I am sure it's what I'm after.

Image Credit: Cargobike Australia

Our weekend with the Christiania bike...

GENERAL
Well if I wasn't already sold on the concept of the Christiania bike, (which I have to say I was haha!) I am definately sold having had the chance to ride about the place over the weekend. Saturday - Brooke and I rode down to the shops, to the Op Shop first and got Brooke some footy boots, that fit well with not much wear and $10. Then we rode across to Woolworths and picked up some groceries - parked right outside the door, no parking hassles ;) Then rode home, at our leisure, chatterboxing along the way and spotting interesting things to look at. Took us an hour - there and back and both shops and I have to say, would have taken us roughly the same time by car, with parking and/or walking from one shop to the other. This is the same sort of travel that took us an hour and forty five mins when we walked it, of course travelling at the pace of the littlest person. Also I was told that 'once you have one, you use it more than you think you would' and already I can see this is going to happen - in just two days where I wouldn't have ridden at all, I have ridden at least four times, and a combo of short & medium length distances. I think you'd also end up planning your travel a little better, when you're riding, so perhaps end up more 'travel-efficient' full-stop, both bike and fuel for car (and no it doesn't have front headlights like that lol they're the reflectors & flash of the camera). We did a night ride, it has a front and rear light and that was good fun. Wasn't long until the jumper came off though, despite the cool weather - it was nice to 'use' my body like that again - no sore muscles just sore bum bones LOL from getting used to the seat.

Footpaths/Crossings
My biggest question was going to be about the footpaths, and the 'crossings' - sometimes they have those bollard things and you need to weave in and out of them on a normal bike, sometimes the 'ramp' is a steep one or of centre etc. Well of all the riding I've done this weekend, there has only been one place I have gone 'hmmm, not sure if we'll make that one' and hopped off and walked the bike instead (and it's quite light so easy enough). Other than that we haven't had a problem, which I am rapt with.
The only other issue (which would apply to a standard bike as well at some spots) is when you stop in the 'break' in the median strip, to cross several roads at once, you have a little bit of the pbike prodruding, either front or back. That's only at one main spot that I would come through regularly, and enough room either side that it wouldn't bother vehicles.

Steering and Handling
I have been quite impressed. It's deceptively light and easy for me to manouvre (I'm definately not tall lol and not too heavy). Michael says he found the steering harder to get used to than me - however he rides his standard bike to and from the train every day, whereas I haven't ridden a bike in... mmm ... nine odd years haha so I think that may be why I got used to it easier. The biggest differences are that where you would lean into a corner on a standard push bike or motor bike, you don't with the C bike. Once you've had a practice, it's not at all hard and even right angle corners are fine for me, I quite like it actually.
Would it tip? - is the big question and I suppose if you went up or down a really steep left to right slope then it may - no different to a pram etc. In that case it's really not hard to just hop off and push past that bit, then back on and off you go. I've only had to do that once, and that was on road I wouldn't normally take.

The only negative
from today's ride, which is nothing really to do with any bike in particular, is I got bitten on the back of the calf by a dog on the way home. It certainly shook me up... I had been looking out for dogs all the way (as you do when walking or riding in general) but this one was let out of a car, chased me down the road and managed to just get a grip on me before it let go and went back to it's owner. She did yell out if I was okay and I said 'can you put it away!' since it was just sitting by her and I wasn't going anywhere until it was 'away'. So she put it in the car and came to see if I was alright. Lucky for me I (1) had long pants on and (2) it didn't get a full mouth on me - so didn't break the skin but can see where the teeth were and the bruising will show tomorrow - the photo on the left was taken tonight, bruising just setting in. Zeke was asking me all the way home 'are you okay Mummy... did the dog bite you Mummy...' Also lucky for me I was on the Christiania because on a standard two wheeler I reckon I would have stacked it, so had grazes and the like from that - nevermind whether the dog would have thought it a great thing I was on the ground... Also am happy that Zeke was out of it's reach, and somewhat safer than he would have been perhaps, in a rear-towed bike trailer... not sure, but just another thing to think about. eta the bruising is a little more this morning, but I'll mend!

SCHOOL RUN
Well, one school run complete! I took it at a leisurely pace, making about 30mins to get there (10-15 in the car). I'll work out how many kms that is later on when I check out the map. On the way there was just Zeke and I, and on the way home was Brooke, Jake, Zeke and I, so the total of just the children's weight is about 60kg (?) roundabout anyway. Stopped at school, which generated some interest from children and parents alike. Then started off home, this time probably about 40mins so only 10mins more. Only to big hills to go up and with the gears options, was far easier than the single bike I used to have. It's been wiped down, all the drink bottles and helmets are out and it's ready to go home to N&A&F... So the verdict from me? I liiiiiike it!

(Here's my earlier post of a test afternoon, and a pic with four kiddies, plus links to info)

oh and a Tuesday update (bitten Sunday) photo, it's the very back of the calf right behind the knee... you can see the two 'dots' where the canines went (from the top jaw I guess, which is lucky it didn't get both jaws on my leg)... it wasn't that far away from breaking the skin so I guess I'm lucky. I just keep thinking what if it had actually got a proper grip on my leg... I know there's far worse happen in the world, but also think far out... what if it was a child on a bike... and that's not a good thought... (and pardon the legs, they've seen better days lol) The pic on the right taken on Friday... I always find it interesting what colour bruises go along the way! So now this strange yellowy colour and I've worked out what angle the jaws were on, and actually how lucky I was not to be missing a piece of leg...

Well a mishmash of 'stuff'...

Where to begin!? (pics to come) Well, tonight the Christiania bike will arrive here, being bought around by N as they may need the trailer this weekend - very appreciative we are, and very very excited! Also, Michael's Mum & Dad came with these beautiful yellow roses when they visited last, and they have brightened the kitchen for over a week now, very lovely and a nice surprise!

Kindergarten & Zeke's first day...
Master Zeke started 3/4 Kindergarten this week, just two half days a week. I have pics to come, but he's really enjoying it despite stacking it twice on his first day - tears but cuddles from R, one of the Kindergarten leaders. I was preparing to do the 'prep talk' and this was how it went...
Me: 'Matey... you know you start Kindy soon'...
Zeke: 'I know... and Mum you can't stay... you can't stay at my class you have to go home... and you can come back and pick me up'
Me: (pause lol) 'well yep, that's right, Mummy's not staying, and I'll come pick you up at lunchtime...'
Zeke: 'and bring my lunch? When you come pick me up will you bring my lunch, Mum?'
Me: 'yep... I'll bring your lunch when I come and pick you up' and I have to say, he said it most matter-of-factly and quite nicely... he was just making sure I understood lol
So evidently, the prep talk was almost not required lol and he has been busting to go to 'his class' for some time now, and very excited about his Kindy bag, and being able to do craft and painting in his class. Had to explain he probably wouldn't be doing German (well Brooke and Jake do so that's a fair conclusion lol) just yet, but yes definately craft and painting. He's been walking around after just his second day singing the 'circle song' as well as 'come back Pizza, come back Paul' (the two little di ckie birds song)... ah my Zeke is growing up!

Op Shop Finds
Op Shop finds - four long sleeve shirts for Brooke for winter, and one thick jacket with hood for Zeke for camping, all for thirteen dollars which I thought was quite good. Our Op-Shop ladies are always an interesting bunch too! A couple of bags of clothes from A's boys means Jake is all sorted for clothes and of course, Zeke has Jakes shirts... all sorted for now!

And the Doc said...
I saw two different doctors this week... After several months of increasing symptoms (inculding a numb heel and calf amongst other things), and a conclusion from the doctor I have been seeing for sometime that I really didn't feel was a right conclusion, a second opinion reveals that yes it was more than [what she said], and in my opinion not 'that' at all... especially considering those things were there before Brenna was born.
My TFT results came back too high, the first time in about nine years that my levels have changed - and I was tested not long after Brenna was born and the levels were the same as always.
I have been on 100mcg daily of oroxin, and have been changed now to 50mcg/100mcg alternate days to bring them back to where they should be, which will take about 6-8 weeks. I am glad that got picked up by my new doctor, not just to put things 'right' and hopefully reduce symptoms, but also because either too high or low can impair conception and make the wait to conceive, longer...
Interestingly in my hunt for more information, I re-found this book, leant to me some time ago by a friend A who also has thyroid issues, and lots of things made much more sense. I had forgotten all the 'stuff' that was attributable to hypothyroidism (autoimmune)... most recently including my heel and calf muscle, and tip of tongue going numb, but also several other 'things' that have puzzled me over the years. Found this too, which is just interesting to read. I know internet isn't always reliable, but it's a start for reading up on things, and helps you think of questions to ask next time you have an appointment - even better when you feel comfortable to ask them. I've also found several forums where people are sharing very similar experiences, both with symptoms and medical responses to them. Next on the list is to see a naturopath and see how we can have 'mainstream' and 'not so mainstream' practices work together.

Baking & Michael
Last weekend Michael made a first attempt KFC-style chicken, and mastered his Apple Pie recipe... mmm yummo! The KFC chicken wasn't quite a success so we have a new recipe to try this time round from A (thanks A!) I scored a box of bananas for $5 a couple of days ago, so have been making muffins and today Michael tried a new recipe for banana cake (made it without the icing) and it turned out lovely, very moist. So we are banana-muffin baking all weekend and/or pureeing, to make the most of the banana score. Also keen to get a fruit and veg mini-coop going in the near future.

Cubby House & Garden
And some awesome awesome news... ~THE~ perfect cubby house has become available for Brenna's Garden... I am so very excited and appreciate being given the opportunity... I just need to get the space ready and am trying to find ways to make that happen quicker! LOL. On top of that... AE and R have found the perfect Angel statue to take pride of place in Brenna's garden... oh I so cannot WAIT to have this garden taking shape..! I've been treading water for now, pruning the ever-fast-growing mulberry tree to keep it at easy-picking level, trimming, re-digging garden beds etc. Slowly slowly. Oh and we also had our FIRST proper mandarine off the tree - I accidentally 'pruned' the branch lol and as I did so went 'oh oh!'... but the mandarine tasted GREAT... so we're loving up the tree and hoping for a decent harvest next season!

That's about all for now I guess... off to see what I'll get done tonight, plenty of projects await!

Of Christiania...

Saturday 19th April 2008
Well, ever since I saw the Christiania bike on Carbon Cops, (go here and click on the top left pic for vid from the show) I have been curious about these bikes... and I finally worked out what they were called (even tho I can't remember how that happened!) and got in contact with the fellow who sells them in Aus, Peter from PS Bikes.
I am so keen it's not funny. Yes yes, I know, I know I will need to save like crazy. But I have to look at it this way - apart from savings in fuel, and to the environment, and apart from the exercise and slowing down the pace of life factor, not to mention the 'with the kids' factor, I gotta look at it like this...
Once we have our bike, even if we can save just HALF the money we would normally spend on fuel in a week... then it won't be long before the bike has reimbursed itself via savings. And then, that money that is saved on fuel, can go towards solar... and then that money that's saved on solar and fuel... can go towards a rainwater tank... and then the money that we're saving on fuel and solar and water... you see - it's a follow-on effect with so many positives it's not funny... so for now... save save save! I know we have to be sensible about what our limits are to save for, and it will take us a while to save for this, but once we reach the first goal, the savings from that will make it that little bit easier to reach the next goal... kinda thing...
Ah but the best part of this post is yet to come! Do tell, do tell I hear you say (or at least 'hurry up and get on with it then!' haha) Well, in chatting with Peter, we ended up hearing from someone (N and A) not too far from us who was willing to have us come round and check out their Christiania bike... that was very awesome that someone was willing to do that! So we did. Michael went for a ride first, no load (the box takes 100kg) and then well heck, all the kids hopped in!
Then it was my turn and once I sussed it out (the steering is different than a 2 wheeler but easy enough to sus esp with N helping with simple suggestions, thanks N!)... so I went for a lap around the block, turning corners, trying footpaths, up and down a driveway or two and most importantly *wink* a hill or two... and I was very impressed. On the flat, after a few pedals the momentum of the bike almost does the rest of the work. Then I hopped Brooke in the front (25kg) and off we went again... and up the hill and it was easier than I thought it would be... (specs on the bike are here, just scroll down a little)

N & A have very generously, and very kindly offered to lend the bike over a weekend and Monday, so we can try it out in our area (which is where I want to use it most), plus try and do a school run with it - which I am very keen to do because if we can do the school runs in the bike (at least half of them anyway), that and the shops is the majority of the travel we do on a normal week...
of course there are kiddy seat belts, optional rain cover, sun cover etc and a host of other things, not to mention what you can add on yourself to suit your particular requirements. You can even have carseats in for littler people.

We have also been offered a loan of a bike and trailer style one, from A and T while they are away, for which we are very thankful because it will give us a chance to have a good trial of both and see what we prefer... Given we've only tried one briefly, I of course haven't decided but am very much leaning towards the Christiania at the moment.

I am truly very excited. One of my biggest questions (how to minimise the car, in practical ways) has been answered. Now I just gotta save!