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Progress This page will be a day by day progress report on how Bill and George are doing. We are keeping in contact via text messaging (see the SMS page), so as long as they have their phones, we'll have daily info on here for you! Click Here for link to SMS Updates as they happen ! Diary in REVERSE order to confuse the more gifted viewer ! |
| LATEST | CHECK
the SMS page in 2004 as this will chart our progress. Emails will be
forwarded and Tom (son webmaster and source of empty wallet) will be
creating an email update page |
| 20/1/04 | Well,
Bill has arrived. He's in a big parade tomorrow and having a big meal,
then he's giving out loads of stuff to a local schhol the next day.
After that, he's staying in a beach hut, relaxing until his flight leaves;
and we are all insanely jealous! |
| 19/1/04 | When
we last heard, Bill was heading for the Gambia - ahead of schedule.
He's not yet sure as to whether he's going to stay on for a bit or whether
he's going to catch an earlier flight. He still has a few days to make
up his mind though. |
| 16/1/04 | There
seems to be a surprisingly large number of internet cafes in Senegal,
because Bill has email again. He is spending the next couple of days
resting and preparing for the next leg!! Click
here to read the latest email (arrived today). |
| 16/1/04 | We
got a phonecall from Bill last night, he was waiting around at the Senegalese
border, trying to persuade the gaurds to let him through. They were
demanding 200 euros per car (through pure greed, not regulation). Having
said this, he was cheery as ever and seemed fine. We then recieved an
SMS from him today saying he's in Zebraba - so they definately got through
OK. |
| 14/1/04 | After
several days of not knowing a thing about Bill's adventure, we got an
email from him today. He is having an absolutely amazing time, and we're
all very jealous!! Click here to read the email. |
| 13/1/04 | Do
you know where Bill is?? We don't either - we only know that he's somewhere
in the Sahara, having a great time. Until he contacts us again, we have
nothing to update this page with. |
| 10/1/04 | Received
an email from Bill today, he seems on very high spirits, extremely happy!
He also called yesterday to let us know that He was having a great time.
Click here to read the email. |
| 8/1/04 | When
we last spoke to Bill, he was camping on the beach at the very top of
Western Sahara, preparing for the beach stretch on the 9th. Top Gear
Magazine have caught up with them for a photo shoot of him and a few
others, so look out for that article!! |
| 3/1/04 | Email
from Bill: "After the disaster of the first few days with George bailing out, now settled into a routine of driving and being with the Producers - Chris and Amy. Had lots of fun so far and as we got to Marrakesh a day early, we have had a day wandering around the souks and the town of Marrakesh. An interesting Arab town and all the usual hassling going on, but in a more pleasant way than many others - they take no for an answer! Tomorrow we are driving over the Tizi Tiznit pass - off route if there ever was one but we have a day in hand and are going the scenic route with the other teams who have done it before. Then on to Agadir and qnother rest day. After that the civilisation starts to run out and we get into the more arid regions. Car is holding up well and the bodge on ther fuel line seems to have worked so that is a relief - I keep checking it though. Petrol now down to 0.5(Euros) and soon will be cheaper still." |
| 3/1/04 | Bill
has finally finished the tough stretch, and is taking today off for
rest and repairs with a couple of other teams. The plan for Sunday is
to cross the border into Morocco, and to begin the African leg of the
drive. |
| 1/1/04 | OK,
are you ready for the bad news? George has unfortunately had to back
out due to problems with his back being too severe to carry on. However,
Bill has teamed up with a few other groups and they are all going to
share the driving together so that he isn't on his own. It gets better...these
people that Bill has teamed up with are all mechanics with full tool
kits (Bill has very few tools), so that is a big bonus. There is a minor
petrol leak, but they are fixing that in Bordeaux tonight. Bill called
at 6:30 this evening to let us know the news and he was on very high
spirits, raring to go and very happy that he's teamed up with these
new people. Opwards and upwards. |
| 31/12/03 | We
just got a call from Bill, they arrived at the port safe and sound and
they are catching the 1:30 ferry. Tonight: Rouen; tomorrow night: Bordeaux. |
| 31/12/03 | Well,
they've gone. We gave them an excellent send off, most of our Warwick
Lane neighbours come out to wave them off - and a photographer came
from the London Times Motoring Section to take a few snaps. |
| 30/12/03 | Gasket
now replaced thanks to Dean and Gethin at the best Fiat and Alfa Dealers
in Hants ! CAr now all ready and packed bar the last few items waiting
for the off tomorrow, 10.30am. Last minute research on Rover Dealers
in Morocco (1) Mauritania (0) but then we have prepared it well and
it won't go wrong ! Still lots to think about and where do you stop
preparing ? Well you just keep going until you leave and then it's too
late. |
| 23/12/03 | Head
gasket went today. Just started up after replacing the rad hose and
clouds of steam. Poor Wayne though it was his fault ! Head off and check
for distortion. Then Christmas and hopefully we will get it all done
before we go on 31/12/03 |
| 22/12/03 | Registration
docs came through just in time - temporary only but at leat they are
valid and have official stamps etc on them. All in the name of Cleveland
Cars (the best Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealers around) so that will undoubtedly
be a problem - nothing a 10 Euro note won't fix ! |
| 21/12/03 | Steel
radiator hose at the rear of the engine under the exhaust just burst.
Good job it was now so we are replacing it. |
| 12/12/03 | Rover
have at last agreed to issue certificate of conformity FOC - well done
Rover ! It was for our trade charity after all so glad you came to the
party - now an official sponsor so we will replace the bonnet and boot
badges !! |
| 09/12/03 | Problems
with the registration. Car is italian registered and now need UK registration
in order to meet insurance requirements etc. Real pain as Rover want
£ 150 for a certificate of conformity. |
| 05/12/03 | New
Cambelt going on today and oil filter etc - nearly ready now ! |
| 29/11/03 | Mot
passed, oil and filter changed, brakes checked and now the hunt starts
for another door mirror. Got to get a roof rack from somewhere ! |
| 19/11/03 | New
radiator goes in today |
| 18/11/03 | Mirror
damaged by a lady driver and her 2.4 childern on the way home from school
(not forgetting the 0.8 of a dog) |
| 17/11/03 | 200
mile drive and nothing has fallen off except the new door mirror rescued
from a scrap yard. |
| 16/11/03 | 300
mile drive to prove the car and it went like a train - still needs a
new radiator but head gasket seems to be fine |
| 09/11/03 | Car
purchased and driven gingerly home. Soon found there was no water in
the radiator so lucky to make it ! |