Friday update so far

And arrive we did!!! After a fairly uneventful crossing, except Miranda relived the experiences of drunken walking (after going tee total so long ago) due to the motion of the ocean!!
We drove off into Calais and went to find our hotel. We found it thanks to TomTom (lifesaver) checked in and ran off to the small village that is Cite Europe department store to collect the last few vital parts and some sustenance.
Back we went to finish off the attachment of the heads to the hinges using self tapping screws. These heads were pretty much the focal point of the whole concept for this rally. When we had decided to do this and bandied around several ideas it was the horses heads that sold it to all involved.
Now you know this, you will understand the pain we are suffering in our team…. On Thursday night we lost a team member RIP Milly. Milly was the right sided horse and shared the partnership of pulling our chariot. While driving to register for entry into the rally, incidentally, we were lost as we were looking for a road called Auchan when it should have been the store Auchan where we had been earlier on. While driving around and picking up a few other lost participants Milly decided to stand up proud on the bonnet (due to her hinge mechanism) and bask in the glory of pulling such a fine chariot. One minute she was there the next she was gone, torn away out of our lives by the elements of nature. Obviously she couldn’t stand the headwind at 60mph. Of course our other horse, Tilly, is also feeling the pain. She now has to do all the work and we are being slightly pulled to the left. So long Milly we will miss you, forever in our hearts, forever on our bonnet!!!
Anyway, back to the rally. We set off on Friday morning for the first of our rampages across Europe. This is the toughest leg of the tour taking us from Calais to the south of France to Annecy. We collected our first task which was to conduct the ‘Mentos and diet Coke experiment’ on top of our car in the town of Reimes. For those that don’t know the experiment check out the photographs to see the result. There were other objects to find and photograph for bonus points. Needless to say we completed all tasks giving us maximum points. There is nothing quite like the site of a menagerie of different people dressed up - from vicars to surgeons and everything in between. To give you an idea the photos will show the different people involved in this do. Needless to say we got some funny looks - two Gladiators and a Roman Goddess running around a small French town is not something you see everyday. When I say Roman Goddess, Miranda spent most of the morning with a coat on, due to the inclement weather, and didn’t look too out of place, she looked just like another partaker of the walk of shame.
So off we went to Annecy - the final leg of the day. I am writing this from the car somewhere between Dole and Annecy, we think, we shall be arriving shortly and will be de-costuming due to the uncomfortable-ness of this get up ( the Romans had it tough).
I look forward to updating you tomorrow with this evenings incidents and tomorrow’s rally tasks.
Thanks to those that have sponsored us and boo hiss to those that haven’t!!!!
To be continued……….

Thursday update

This is the first update on the official website for Team number 25, Team Lomu (it’s a long story!!!)
Day 1 is done; here we sit in Annecy after the longest stint of the rally - a colossal 500+ miles have been covered today with no incidents so far.
To start let me take you back, if I can, to Thursday. This is pre rally day……
Any normal team, by now, would be milling around just doing the final pre rally checks, dreaming of the fun to come and trying to cover for all eventualities. Not Us!!!!
After leaving the homestead on Wednesday it was a quick trip to Northampton to pick up team member Chris from Barclaycard (Boooooo)
Then onto London where, unfortunately, the work was to commence. So far the car had been sorted mechanically, and had the seats covered in a fine purple material. By this stage none of the ‘paint work’ had been started due to a busy life and bad weather. Chris has underground parking at his flat so it seemed the perfect place to do a bit of work. After a trip to Tesco for supplies (hope you enjoyed the ice cream Will, and are the tubs smaller?) we started on our task ahead.
The evening and morning was spent cutting out templates, attaching to car and painting. Onto trying to attach horse’s heads by any means possible to the bonnet. This last bit proved unsuccessful, but more on that later.
Consequently the evening of work drew to a close at 5.00 am, and after a quick 2 hour power nap we started again. While Chris worked on the car I was dispatched to go and collect my fancy dress costume from a shop which will remain nameless. After lots of confusion I finally walked away with a costume. So home I went getting so lost on the way back that Chris had to come and find me.
During my time away Chris had managed to convince a local garage to attach the set of hinges for the Horses heads to the bonnet with windscreen adhesive. Also Miranda had joined the party and we were all set to go.
So, off we went……….

Three days to go

Not long to go now, the day is almost upon us!!!! The car is in tiptop shape and ready for the last few 'alterations'
For those that know me it will come as no surprise that the main bulk of the decorating will be carried out on the night before we leave. Looks like another all night Red Bull fueled worknight. It just wouldn't be right if I wasn't going on a car related holiday and not be working on it the night before.
To all those that have sponsored us so far a huge thank you, for those that are still to sponsor us we thank you in advance and look forward to your donation, for those that aren't bothering..... STOP BEING TIGHT... it's for the kids not us!!!
The main bulk of the photos for the rally will be held on a site dedicated to photo hosting, just click on the link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_maddox/
Wish us luck on our journey and hope to keep you informed as we go!!!!

Praise be to Turbo Tom

Another note of recognistion to be added to our blog site. Another legend in his own lunch time has leant us a hand, all for the greater good, Turbo Tom of the Bromsgrove massive has used his contacts to help us with the acquisition of parts for our beautiful beast, if not for him we would have spent the war chest for invading a small country on the various parts. Instead it only cost us an NHS busget. We are for ever in gratitue to those that are helping us on our way to Spain.

All hail the Warrior

All hail the legend that is the Warrior. If it wasn't for our friendly neighbourhood Warrior I would still be pushing our lovely chariot all the way from its old home to it's new. Finally it has arrived on the back of said Warriors Range Rover / trailer, and lo and behold after a boosting it started first time after 18 months of standing. Now she is ready for the overhaul.......
Again thanks to Warrior for behaving like the legend that he is

This is our chariot of fire (hopefully not literally!!)

We will be updating with more photos as work commences!

The beginning

This is our blog. We are a small team of rapscallions, taking part in a grueling journey across the extents of Europe to raise money for the kids.
We will use this site to give updates and on our progress in preparation for the journey and hopefully updates from around Europe during our time away!
We will be introducing the team at a later date.
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to sponsor us.