On 15th December, Hina Gandhi and Fuad accepted a cheque for £1,000 at the Lloyd’s Market Charity Awards. Each year Lloyds of London invites individuals to apply for a £1,000 award for their chosen charity. Hina, a good friend of Amy’s, didn’t hesitate to nominate Follow That Fire Engine. Hina has been extremely supportive since she learned about the FTFE concept, she said “I was keen to support them with this fantastic idea and I took on a ‘behind the scenes role’ in support of marketing and administration (and generally advising/helping with anything Amy asked me to turn my hand to!). I have been able to apply my marketing skills and creative thinking to support them at various stages.” Read more →
Fact: New Zealand has a LOT of bridges. We thought we’d see how many there are between Franz Josef and Queenstown (it was a slow start to the day). Ladies and Gents – would you believe there are about 92. I say ‘about’ as I think I missed a couple when I was being shouted at to hurry up and play my go on risk (thanks Chris). Anyway… Read more →
Small world point : the friend of one of the guys in the Franz Josef Experience Centre was driving Martha, the ambulance the crew met on stage two in Mongolia
Franz Josef is famous for its glacier which is 12km long, it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300m above sea level. We decided to do a full day trek to explore what this incredible mass of ice has to offer… when in Rome and all that. The walk promised an “experience of the most spectacular glacier environment available to the general public anywhere in the world.”
We’re settling into stage 6 now and rolling on down to Wellington today, 6+hrs on the road. Kate and I are quickly into the routine now, assuming our daily roles with with the enthusiasm of a new kid at school. Me navigation and Kate comms.
Fast fact about Taupo: Home to New Zealand’s largest lake which was formed in the Caldera of a Volcano which erupted 26,500 years ago. The lake covers 619 SqKm, has 32 rivers feeding it and is world famous for trout fishing with crystal clear waters. I like fishing.
High point: For Amy, a smacker of a kiss goodbye from the captain
Low point: For Steve and Amy, saying goodbye to their new friends on the Le Mans Express
No point: A one man moped escort out of Auckland (AKA Jamie Abela)
After 9 days at sea aboard the Le Mans Express it was time for Amy, Steve and Martha to get their land legs back on and kick off stage 6. Auckland has been swathed in sunshine for weeks now so we were all looking forward to some sunshine and incredible views on the first day back on the road….from early morning however, it was clear we were in for something a little more…er…British. Rain….a lot of it.
Ping pong point: being beaten by the Super yet again, but not as badly as Steve, is a massive achievement I feel
Last night we hit a 10 metre swell. Not being accustomed sailors, to us the Le Mans Express sounded like she was going to come apart at the seams. As she moaned and groaned the creaking noise was deafening. And on top of that our cabin had become part of some freaky rollercoaster ride. People pay good money to experience that ‘scream if you want to go faster’ feeling, so why wasn’t I enjoying the cabin being tilted all angles and nearly failing out of bed every 2 minutes? Was this really how it was all going to end… in a tin can still only somewhere off the coast of Australia? Please no!
It was light when the sea finally calmed down and we could get some zeds. As they say, worst things happen at sea.
On 15th December, Hina Gandhi and Fuad accepted a cheque for £1,000 at the Lloyd’s Market Charity Awards. Each year Lloyds of London invites individuals to apply for a £1,000 award for their chosen charity. Hina, a good friend of Amy’s, didn’t hesitate to nominate Follow That Fire Engine. Hina has been extremely supportive since she learned about the FTFE concept, she said “I was keen to support them with this fantastic idea and I took on a ‘behind the scenes role’ in support of marketing and administration (and generally advising/helping with anything Amy asked me to turn my hand to!). I have been able to apply my marketing skills and creative thinking to support them at various stages.” Read more →
