Best bag I've ever had!

go_2, I'm relieved that you've embraced the integrated wheelie. Back in 2007 I bought a rolling backpack, thinking there'd be times when the straps would be handy. But I never used the backpack capability--not on the cobblestones of Istanbul, not on the crumbling sidewalks of Yangon, not in crossing multiple tracks in a couple of train stations. So I cut off the straps; never missed 'em. I suppose that if I ever have to make my way on foot from one Bedouin encampment to another, I might curse they're absence, but....
Lee
(way past 52 )

Oooh Lee (Gil) - another one older than me. Makes me feel young again! Yippee!
Where have you been hiding these past few months?

To update you - Lee52 and I are going to walk the Camino (Santiago de Compostella) next spring.
I shall NOT be backpacking. I'm currently making a 'donkey' to carry my stuff. Lee might take some wheels, too. Would you like to join up? It's only 1000 km from Seville on the via de la plata...

go_2, as you may have noticed, I posted Latin America Travel Report, which answers your question of where I’ve been hiding.

Your invitation to join the Camino trek is enticing, it truly is. But I’m battling serious foot pain (plantar fasciitis/heel spur) and 1,000 km is about 997 more than I want to tackle any time soon—though if my stretching regimen finally starts to kick in, that vision could expand slightly.

What I am planning, though, is my first venture into Africa, including Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia (looking for signs of anything Lor might have left), Sudan (looking for whirling dervishes), and possibly Morocco (chasing Lor again.)

I’m curious what your donkey will be composed of, and how it’ll be deployed. I’ll be keenly interested in following your preparations for the trip—and of course the trip itself.

Cheers
Lee

Lee - sorry to hear about your heel spur. I agree it would make walking agony.
However, Africa is great. If you haven't been there yet - beware! It can become very addictive. The dervishes whirl better in Turkey, however. Though the Sudanese experience is quite heady, too.

Re. your question about Jamilla (my donkey) I've just put up a posting devoted to her.
I will read your Latin America report when I get home - going out now to buy more 'donkey stuff'', etc.

what i cant figure out, is why you want/need your donkey. You seem to have found the perfect bag with wheels, why aren't you using it?

Canayjun - Jamilla will be fund-raising for a charity I support. I have this 'thing'about asking for sponsorship for myself - I can't do it - but will be making a website for Jamilla and enabling people to make donations.
Hopefully, the Camino won't be the only pilgrimage I make with her - and there can be spin-offs as well if she really takes off.

anyone know if these bags are available in Canada/US? Shipping from GB is to expensive.

I think I've seen them on a US website - but costing a lot more. Check out the website (@ #2). Maybe a contact there can help?

I currently use a Baggallini Rolling Tote.

It's small enough to use as a carry-on, but it's got 3 compartments and if you use packing folders or packing cubes, it actually holds a lot; certainly enough for a 2 week trip. :-)

Regarding USA retail, it's the same price as Britain, though the shipping cost (which is free in the UK) runs an extra $15.
Grand total in dollars was $61 and they shipped immediately (not sure how long it will take to receive it). This is a damned fine deal since it's almost impossible to find any wheeled backpack for less than $100. The Rick Steves approved model sells for $159 and I wonder if it's any better than this one.