The longest day - and night.....

 Mark

31 Dec 2008, All over Europe

Success at last! Mark arrived at Gatwick. Shaun arrived to pick him up at 7am. Then a rush to Dover to book in at 9am for the ferry to Calais after which we had only to get to southern Spain - within 36 hours...

We arrived it Aricef near Gibraltar twenty five and half hours later. Stopping only for fuel and rotating the driving we managed to work our way down through France, crossing into Spain at midnight and then heading south. We arrived at the hotel tired, poor (the Trooper has turned out to be a thirsty old girl and we were forced to use toll roads because of the timings). But we got here and the car stood the test perfectly. Just in time to meet the other teams with whom we will be travelling and to welcome in 2009.

En Route Texts

Text: 30 Dec 2008 - 10.58 Arriving Calais.  Sunny.  Need to get to Southern Spain in next 36 hours!  Better get going!

 

 

 

 

Text: 31 Dec 2008 - 07.23 @300 miles or so to go!  V tired as we have only stopped for fuel.  Over £250 on fuel and £50 on tolls thanks to Euro

And they're off.......?

 Shaun

28 Dec 2008, Still in England ...and St Lucia

I was planning to meet Mark at Gatwick on the 29th, so having arranged a stop over in Cirencester for a few beers and Xmas cheer, I packed the car ready for the off. And then I put the key in the ignition.....nothing. I tried again....and again and then gave up. After a moments thought, in which I considered the wisdom of having AA (that’s Automobile Association) membership without home start, I pushed the car half a mile down the hill and called the fourth emergency service. Andy (his real name) arrived a statutory 60 minutes later, put his hand on the cold engine and swiftly concluded that I had pushed the car down the hill, advised I get home start and diagnosed a fuel flow fault. Left with no option we dropped her off at the nearest garage on a dark Saturday night. I then drove my other car to Cirencester and had some Xmas cheer. Monday beckoned.

I woke this morning with a sore head and clarity of purpose. After a swift Jacuzzi, and a hot bacon butty I gingerly drove back to Bath to introduce the ISUZU and its fuel system to a hammer. Suffice to say she is working again, although Mark phoned minutes later to say his flight was delayed 24 hrs! We now leave on the 30th and need to be in Gib by midnight on the 31st.....

Reader Contributed Comments

29 Dec 2008 | Geri (gschuch att orange dott net)

He was slow crossing the Atlantic and now a late start to Timbuctu! Hope the Super Trooper likes the cold and frosty mornings. 36 hours to do 1300 miles....hmmmm...You boys do like a challenge don't you. Still, the best adventures are the ones with the most obstacles! Best of luck!! Happy Driving! G xxxx

31 Dec 2008 | Shirley mclaughlin (dave att mclaughlin161 dott freeserve dott co dott uk)

Question Why do engineers have big pockets and baggy trousers? Answer To carry their hammer, tape measure and Swiss army knife in Family in-Joke!!! take care Mam