can a double buggy be avoided with a good carrier?

[mamaesi]

I posted on buggy section and most said to get the double buggy... but maybe some people who carry their babies can offer their opinions??

there will be 20 month age gap. I know for sure when number two is tiny, a wrap will be fine....

but if the second one becomes a chunky monkey like my first did...I wonder how long I can manage carrying the younger one?

has anyone carried the younger baby while pushing a toddler? is it possible or am I dreaming?

thats promising.. but how did you carry shopping etc? I am in london and need to do a lot without a car!

I hope I can do without a double buggy! There will be 2 1/2 years between my 2 when DS2 arrives in October and I live in London as well, so I think a double buggy and public transport will be very restrictive. Besides a double buggy suitable from birth would be expensive I guess? My plan is to use a stretchy wrap from birth till about 5 months (I expect a chunky monkey to). If I still need transport for 2 after this, I will use my Mei Tai on my front until he gets to heavy then move him to my back when older/heavier. I carried DS1 on my back until I fell pregnant with DS2, DS1 was well over 2 stone by then, some people would have continued to carry still. A good carrier will distribute the weight evenly so making quite large weights easy to carry.
For a detailed advise here

I have got a double, despite much preferring carrying, to get through rainy days. I can't sling a baby, push a buggy and carry an umbrella - and I haven't figured out another way to keep the baby dry.
The best advice I had is that the shops don't shut when you have a baby so you can try without a double and, if it's not working, still run out and buy one later, it's not a decision you have to make now.