Recorded under a shady tree in Retiro Park in Madrid, we take some time to fill you in on our preparations for Central and South America. We visited Cenas a Pedal in Lisbon to get help with our bikes and do some last minute shopping for supplies before our flight to Cuba. We also discuss our route, goals for the trip and thank some people who have helped us prepare for the next part of our journey in the regular feature, ‘In praise of’.

Clockwise from top: boating lake at Retiro Park. Sign outside school. The Maas River mud on Shirley. Ana, Baden and Bruno at Cenas a Pedal. The wasteful packaging for some new pieces of kit. Palacio de Cibeles.

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We found an oasis during the Madrid heatwave in the cool waters of our hosts’ plastic paddling pool, so we recorded the podcast there. This time we review our whole European trip. We pick out some bests and worsts, count up kilometres travelled and other statistics and discuss some of the things we’ve been reflecting on since we finished in Lisbon.

Centre: Castrojeriz. Clockwise from top right: paddling pool podcasting in Madrid. Atop the Cruz Ferro. Finishing point for Camino de Santiago. Colourful sign on our way into town. Delicious apple flan by Michele. Cycling along Galician coast from Baiona to A Guarda.

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Before we planned this trip I began a course in horticulture, learning about plant biology, the soil environment and garden establishment. Once I realised I might miss my final exams I decided to make a special trip back to London in the middle of our tour to finish what I’d started. It was also the perfect excuse to see friends one last time.

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