When Emma left England for Boston, Massachusetts, she took a lot with her. Her memories of living near the Central line, though, were harder to pack.
Her husband had other ideas. He bought her a rakau TWO — our compact real-time departure board, handcrafted in polished plywood in our London workshop. He set it up to show her old Central line stops: Woodford, Epping, West Ruislip. And he added a personal message that scrolls along the bottom of the display.
MIND THE GAP, EMMA!
It now sits in her Boston kitchen, showing live departure times for trains she hasn't caught in years — and probably making her smile every time she glances at it.
We love this story for a lot of reasons. It shows that rakau is more than a practical tool — it's a connection to a place, a reminder of home, a conversation starter in a kitchen 3,000 miles from London.
It also shows that rakau makes a genuinely memorable gift. Emma's husband didn't buy her a bunch of flowers or a voucher. He bought her something that says I know you, I know what you miss, and I thought about this.
That's what a good gift does.
rakau ships worldwide. If you know someone who's moved away from the UK and still thinks of it as home, we can ship directly to them — anywhere in the world — with a personal message included if you'd like.