The journey started last Wednesday, but was not without obstacles. The lock of the electric cargo bike broke off on the first day. “We had to change the battery and for that you had to lock the bike,” explains Linda. “We forgot to unlock it again, with all the misery. Fortunately, there was a safety mechanism that prevented the spokes from breaking. Then we were further away from home.” The lock is now held in place with some strings until they are at the dealer of the cargo bike in Limburg next Wednesday.
It wasn’t the only time they were unlucky. In Nijverdal, a spider appeared to be between the spokes of the bicycle on Friday afternoon when Floris wanted to go shopping. The result: a broken gear. Linda; “Then we really thought: we can go home, it’s over.” After some phone work, a bicycle mechanic turned out to still have the necessary sprocket. “Very nice, because see if you can arrange that on Friday afternoon.”
The family cycles every day, taking into account the sleeping rhythm of the children. The route goes through the south, before reaching Italy via Germany and Austria. During the first week, thanks to a call on social media, they have a number of places to stay where they spend the night. “That’s very nice, because it’s still cold at night,” says Linda.
However, an overnight stay in Sleen was cancelled. “That would be in a log cabin in the garden of a very friendly gentleman. But the log cabin was full of mouse droppings and mouse pees. Now I grew up halfway on a riding school and my children can really get dirty, but this was a bit too much for me Fortunately, we were able to go elsewhere via via. “
Today the journey goes to Millingen aan de Rijn. “There we stay with people, but we have no idea how those people know us,” says Linda. “It is fantastic that people open their homes to us. It is with a family with children and they are absolutely delighted that we are coming with two boys. because he now has a house, the family reunification process can start. We should all give and take a little more.”
If the trip goes according to plan, the family will arrive in Rome sometime in June. If the outward journey is delayed, they will travel by train from Milan to Hamburg on the return journey. From there it is then cycled home. “But our plan is to cycle from Rome to Sardinia, there is also family of mine,” explains Linda. From there they want to take the boat to the south of France, and then cycle home. Linda; “Past family of Floris and my grandmother in North Brabant. And then we go back to work on September 1.”