OAKLEY, ISLAND. SCOTLAND. Like many people, David and Kate Grant dreamed of going around the world. But their dream was out of the ordinary-the Grants and their three children wanted to travel in a horse-drawn wagon! "It started as a pipe dream," says David. "None of us knew a thing about driving a horse."
In 1990, the Grants sold their house in Scotland, bought a horse and wagon, and hit the road. They brought along a set of encyclopedias so the children could keep up with their studies.
The trip got off to a good start as the family rode through Belgium, France, and Italy. But then,they ran into some problems. They arrived in Slovenia in 1991 at the start of the Balkan wars, just as jets were bombing the country.
Two years later, in 1993, after crossing Hungary, Russia and Kazakhstan, red tape prevented them from entering China. They had to go 1600 kilometers out of their way into Mongolia. There, thieves tried to rob them, and the Grants used a slingshot to drive them away.
In 1996, the family flew from Japan to North America for the last leg of their trip. They spent more than a year crossing the United States and Canada. In late 1997, after 7 years on the road, the family sailed from Nova Scotia back to Scotland. Kate says she's ready to settle down now, but David is not so sure. "Maybe I've got another expedition in me," he says.
New Idioms and Expressions
About you
In 1990, the Grants sold their house in Scotland, bought a horse and wagon, and hit the road. They brought along a set of encyclopedias so the children could keep up with their studies.
The trip got off to a good start as the family rode through Belgium, France, and Italy. But then,they ran into some problems. They arrived in Slovenia in 1991 at the start of the Balkan wars, just as jets were bombing the country.
Two years later, in 1993, after crossing Hungary, Russia and Kazakhstan, red tape prevented them from entering China. They had to go 1600 kilometers out of their way into Mongolia. There, thieves tried to rob them, and the Grants used a slingshot to drive them away.
In 1996, the family flew from Japan to North America for the last leg of their trip. They spent more than a year crossing the United States and Canada. In late 1997, after 7 years on the road, the family sailed from Nova Scotia back to Scotland. Kate says she's ready to settle down now, but David is not so sure. "Maybe I've got another expedition in me," he says.
New Idioms and Expressions
- hit the road---leave, start a trip (usually in a car)
- dream of (doing something)---think about something that you wish for the future
- out of the ordinary---unusual; different
- a pipe dream---an unrealistic plan
- keep up (with someone or sth)---maintain the pace (of someone or sth)
- keep off to a good start---have a successful beginning
- run into the someone or sth---meet someone or something unexpectedly
- red tape---unnecessary bureaucratic routines
- out of one's way---not in the direction one is going
- drive someone away---force someone to leave
- the last leg---the final stage of a trip
- on the road---travelling; moving from one place to another
- settle down---begin to live a stable life in one place
About you
- Do you like to be on the road? Tell about the last time you hit the road.
- Tell about something you've done that is out of the ordinary.
- Tell what you know about the wars in the Balkans.
- That do you dream of doing? Is it a pipe dream or is it a realistic?
- Is it hard for you to keep up with anything in your life (such as your studies, your e-mail messages, housecleaning, laundry, etc)?
