Monday, August 16, 2010

'My New Wheels.'

When I first moved to Japan and was living in Shinagawa, Tokyo I introduced my first new set of wheels, the wondrous bike. My bike has given me excellent service and allowed me to explore many parts of Tokyo and Yokohama.

It has allowed me to cart the grandchildren around in the heat, Sophie on the back and Harriet on the front. Its design features are still a little dubious and it's still a wobbly piece of work. I have carted groceries, brooms, mops and all sorts of things with it. I actually love my daggy bike with its basket and upright handlebars.
Recently we purchased a car, a silver Honda Odyssey. It gives us the freedom to explore the greater Japanese countryside, those parts of Japan that are not all accessible by train services. A real 'people mover' with enough seats to carry six comfortably, so plenty of room for alien visitors. In Japan you are not allowed to buy a car unless you can prove you have a secured car parking space for it and also an alien registration card. We met those criteria. Currently it is decked out with child car seat and booster seat. Guess where nanny sits?? Yep, that's right! Right up the back!! Lucky nanny.
It is not these sets of wheels I am talking about though. These are the wheels I am talking about! Doesn't look like wheels does it??
They're pretty cool if you ask me.
It has become increasingly difficult to lug all the groceries back from the supermarkets, one is near the station and another one is about 2km's away,  so now I can use this. I can either drag it along behind me or attach it to my bike's pack rack with okky straps.
I now have my own set of 'Granny Wheels'. Very upmarket, that's for sure!!!
A very practical solution and really..... who cares how daggy these wheels are?? Like my bike they do the job.