Have you ever been really close to making an error only to see the light at the eleventh hour? I mean a really massive error of which the ramifications will stay with you for a lifetime. An example would be agonising over a food menu, full of panic about what to choose before “settling” for pasta. As the waiter is about to leave you see the dish you have ordered turn up on the table next to you. Good god, you ordered pasta what the hell were you thinking? You can whip that up in the comfort of your own home any day of the week. You change your order to a steak, medium rare with pepper source! Lovely! A close one I think you’ll agree. Read more →
Ever had a bad day, week or even month at work? Who hasn’t right? Quite possibly you’re in the midst of one now and reading this in an attempt to escape for a few minutes. Wow, I feel for you, things must have got really bad. However let’s put this into context.
Imagine your month was a follows:
You are a good person, hard working and go the extra mile (I’ve probably lost half of you already). You are hired by four 30-somethings from China to hand hold them around the UK for the best part of 4 weeks.
After an impromptu and intense game of arcade basketball (Jim – you were lucky!), the day ended sitting in a backpackers bar in Kunming, which is the main hub to South China and the Himalaya. This was entirely accidental as we were following our guide Sun Ji who randomly picked it, what are the chances! Perhaps he was sick and tired of the attention we were getting everywhere we went and was keen to see if this was reciprocated in his favour. Either way despite these “westerners” not being the slightest bit interested in our arrival (philistines!) or indeed Sun Ji (definitely philistines!) we found a table in the corner and listened to Jim Stevens give a debrief of his 2.5 weeks on the expedition. He leaves tomorrow, and will be missed. Read more →
High Point: Being treated like celebs and receiving £500 in donations and some items to auction.
Low Point: Taking an absolute hiding from the Chinese firemen
Now this might surprise you but despite all being very talented sportsman (yes even Steve……so he tells me…at what I’m not sure?) we haven’t previously represented Blighty in competitive sport. What a disgrace!
Since we left Beijing we have been on the look out to once again run Martha’s fuel tank past a mechanic as it had fallen a touch. Clearly we would do it ourselves but not having the heavy duty tools, as opposed to our ability is the only limiting factor……
Rolling out of our overnight City, Tongshuan, Sun Ji made some calls and we drove into a yard and parked up amongst the other trucks.
Niall Etchingham: I first met Garth back in 1992 at our local watering hole the Crown and Anchor in Wimborne. Our friendship developed initially due to our drinking habits. As time progressed our group became larger and we would have a regular gathering on a Thurs. night, you almost needed a good excuse not to be there. As we were all heading towards senior citizenship we needed a title and so the Wimborne Wobblers were formed.
After a frustrating 36 hours Jim Stevens and myself finally rocked into Beijing feeling pretty shabby, but were determined to push through. This was Beijing and we were finally on the road with FTFE! This had been caused by a four hour flight delay and when we finally got away a “benign technical issue” forced the plane to turn around and circle the north sea for an hour dumping fuel before landing. Thankfully a few G&Ts and cold tomato soup had taken the edge off. Organised chaos ensued as accommodation was sought for 300+ and we finally got into a room at 4am to be up at 9am to learn our fate. We finally got away proper at 5pm!
When Steve first spoke of his plan of driving a Fire Engine around the world, we all knew immediately it was going to happen. This was Steve, his talk is never cheap and the “Why” was clear.
So the idea was quickly accepted, over a few pints as these things often are, and the attention quickly turned to “which way”.
08/23/10 by Paul Barham | Expedition Updates | Comments Off on Vestey Foods: Official Food suppliers to FTFE and The British Army
An army they say marches on its on stomach and expeditions are certainly no different. Diesel for Martha who is always hungry, but then again who wouldn’t be travelling 26,000 miles, and food and water for the crew.
As the expedition began to evolve from those early spring months in 2009, and research and advice was continually gleaned from every quarter, a list of priorities emerged that we knew were vital to our success. The Showstoppers
One of the items that we knew would have to be dealt with at some point was VISAs.
