Austria

A few commentators seemed to think the idea was impractical if not a little loopy altogether. Won't the kids get bored while they're sitting in the trailers; what if you get a flat tyre; where will you put your bikes at night? What if it's dark, if the kids get cold or tired, if you get injured? You'd save so much time by taking an aeroplane. You'd be able to see more if you had a car... The list of well-wishing doubters was sizeable.

I was in two minds about the expedition. On the one hand, we were a family of adventurers: problem solvers, challenge-relishers. It was precious, outdoor, screen-free, come-what-may, time together. On the other hand, it might just have been the antithesis of sensible parenting. Honestly, I was neither sure nor deterred…