NEXT JOURNAL 21 MARCH 01 - PRESENT

MEMORIES

02 FEB 01  OUT OF OFFICE UNTIL MARCH.

Click here SAHARA UPDATES

02 FEB 01    WHICH WAY IS AFRICA ? 

We finally got to bed at 1 am. Its not that easy to pack a bike. Its a process of elimination, all done with military precision. What seemed like a 1000 items that yesterday covered my living room floor has now been stowed into every compartment, every stowage place has been carefully exploited. I remember leaving last September  for my tour of Europe thinking that packing a bike was a simple affair and after only 50 miles we found our selves in a petrol station for a hour totally repacking the bike. Remember our fire on the Autobahn of Germany  caused by a canvas tank bag dropping onto the exhaust manifold which dully ignited and burst into flames as we where travelling at 80 mph, giving the visual impression we had been a victim of a spitfire attack. 

There is no substitute for experience. The reason for creating this web site was to document my planning and mistakes so hopefully other want to be travellers, could gain something from my planning and disasters. I have had a lot of support from experienced travellers. In ten years time when I am a little older and hopefully more qualified to a opinion I shall recognise the enthusiasm and excitement of person who has made their mind to travel overland. I shall also recognise their personal and financial commitment to fulfilling the dream. I shall remember what it was like to dream the dream and slowly make it happen.

"Around the world for kids", departure June 2002, And today I leave today for Africa "SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS" for some its no big deal, but for me its living the dream and if I do raise some money for the Children's Hospitals it will be a fantastic achievement.

I leave today grateful for all the support I have received especially from HMS TALENT and all the companies that have sponsored me with equipment and helped me financially and thank you to all the members of bmw-gs@micapeak.com for putting up with my endless technical questions. 

01 FEB 01    IVYBRIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 

To the Teachers and Children from IVYBRIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE  Thank you for your support. Happy birthday to ABBEY RIDGE, 12 years old tomorrow.

01 FEB 01      KODAK CAMERA  

I am now running out of expletives to show my gratitude towards people and companies that have been willing to help me. This morning I received a Call from KODAK MARKETING DEPARTMENT-GERMANY from a young lady called "Kristine Bangema". Kodak have donated a KODAK PC500 outdoor digital camera that is SAHARA PERFECT and will work via the Compaq Flash card with my COMPAQ IPAQ. What can I say but thank you very much Christine and KODAK GERMANY and Sandy Russell, Angela Symondson (KODAK P.R. DEPARTMENT UK)

01 FEB 01       H.M.S TALENT

There has been an enormous amount of support from the Crew and Wardroom of HMS Talent, non more so than LT CDR MATHEWS he has been working  hard behind the scenes to ensure my trip and planning goes without a hitch. I simply want to say thank you all for your support it has been appreciated.

01 FEB 01  LOGISTICS TEAM

DEPARTURE  02 FEB 01

Wendy (MOD / Emergency) royal.navy.plymouth.pr@gtnet.gov.uk

R Fredrickson COMPAQ-Robert.Fredrickson@Firefly.Co.Uk

Paul Grove  WWW Internet updates  paul.grove@prh-tr.wmids.nhs.uk

Stephan, Germany   (Sahara traveller) Filmkantine@t-online.de

Dave Wyndham / BMW Support / Dave@cwmotorcycles.co.uk

John Hill / Bracken / Touratech Parts bunny@getfreeinternet.co.uk

Simon White / Moroccan Internet / simon@mtds.com

Bryn / Continental Tyres / cyclesales@cambriantyres.co.uk 

The Route is available at www.spiritsofdiscovery.com, rwt, r1150gs, simon newbound, monika newbound (home page). Dates and locations are tentative as this is new territory but my route legs are between 100 - 200 miles. (hopefully not to ambitious).

01 FEB 01 ESSENTIAL PARTS / INTERNET - THE TEAM WORKS

Thank you to Dave CW Motorbikes for supplying at very short notice a 12v / 240 v AC converter. And  Stephan in Germany for locating and sending a K and N Filter to Gibraltar. Paul Groves for offering his time and assistance in maintaining the web site while I am away.

31 JAN 01   CARLTON TV

Brad Pit need not worry! Last night at 18.30  I made my debut TV appearance. Thank you CARLTON for raising the profile of SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS.

28 JAN 01        PICTURE FROM FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER :

SEAN CLEE.

TO GOOD NOT TO SHARE WITH YOU

28 JAN 01     MTDS COMMUNICATIONS MOROCCO / GERBING CLOTHING / MIKE WARM SAFE (HEAT TROLLER)

The generosity of people and their willingness to help never ceases to amaze me. I sent a random email to the premier communications company in Morocco MTDS, explaining about my venture and the need to maintain communications whilst en-route across the Sahara. Within minutes I had a reply saying that They have set up an account for me up for and the settings are on the way. 

Two days ago I contacted Mike at WARM SAFE (HEAT ROLLER) and explained I would appreciate backup parts for my Siberia / Sahara crossing, just in case somebody takes a liking to my set and borrows indefinitely. Well they arrived from the USA, 48 hours later. Thank you Mike.

I contacted JEFF GERBING, to simply investigate the cost of electrical gloves, to fit with liners. They also arrived from the USA today. Thank you all for your help and assistance

27 JAN 01 TED SIMON - JUPITER'S TRAVELS#

We had a lovely day in Dorchester seeing of TED SIMON (JUPITER'S TRAVELS) on the first leg of his world route. Ted completed his book signing ceremony at CW Motorcycles and eventually departed Dorchester at 2pm in the company of  300 bikes with a full police escort. You had to see it to believe it. (see more pictures)

27 JAN 01        OVERLANDERS: SAM MANICOM / BIRETT SCHUNEMANN / MARK MANLEY

We met some really nice people in Dorchester but non more inspirational than these three people from AXMINSTER. Sam and Birett (German), have just returned from a 8 year round the world trip and again are planning something similar. Sam is a freelance Journalist and occasionally writes for Motorbike Sports Magazine. I wish him well with his planned book. Mark is a frequently OVERLANDER on his Paris Dakar GS, and is currently planning a trip to Africa. Although I hope I have talked him into coming with me across Russia in 2002.

27 JAN 01  BMW CLUB - WEB MASTER UK

It was nice to meet the man, (Gregg Smith) and his lovely wife, who works so hard to run and maintain the Official BMW UK Web site. He and his wife attended the TED SIMON book signing and it was a pleasure to meet them.

25 JAN 01  COMMUNICATIONS

I Have now received the Compaq Ipaq set up, for the Sahara Crossing. The Compaq flash modem works and I am now awaiting the drivers for the NOKIA GSM / SAT PHONE  from COMPAQ Tech support Dublin. This will enable me to communicate from the bike and upload and send and receive emails. I need to convert my 12 v output to 240 AC to enable me to run backup devices. Hopefully CW MOTORCYCLES can provide the solution. Cost per minute, for GSM Communications in Morocco to UK is £1.50 - £1.70 per minute ! Which now means I will have to sign up with a Moroccan internet company for Two months. (Probably the cheapest option) 

24 JAN 01 PM  BBC 

MATT O'DONOGHUE from the  "BBC " has just called. Wants to do a live RADIO interview with BBC FM.

24 - JAN 01  COMPAQ IPAQ

After my SAHARA checkups at CW, I headed to London for a photo shoot at COMPAQ head quarters in Richmond. Naively believing this would be a two minute affair in the company of a few freelance photographers. So when introduced to this big strapping chap outside the head quarters who I believed to be part of Camara team, only to find out to my embarrassment it was the actual BOSS of COMPAQ IPAQ for the U.K. and IRELAND called NEIL. What a nice man he was. We hit it off straight away, much to the annoyance of the real photographer, as every time he wanted to take some promo pictures we were to busy chatting and actually lost site of the reason we were stood outside Compaq H.Q. 

It was nice to finally meet ROBERT from FIREFLY a P.R. and Marketing Consultant who has been very supportive and the driving force behind my communications sponsorship from Compaq. I will write further tomorrow about my Communication add-ons for the Compaq.

23 -  JAN 01  CW MOTORCYCLES - DORCHESTER

If only everybody in life was as nice as the people I have met these past two days (CW MOTORBIKES / COMPAQ). For those that read RIDE MAGAZINE you will only be to aware of the awards that CW MOTORCYCLES have received from the same magazine. So after a invite from DAVE WYNDHAM (M.D.) to come for a PRE SAHARA check-up and to bring along a SAHARA FOR KIDS SPONSORSHIP FORM. I was only to pleased to accept. So at 6.00 AM I mounted "Sir Alex", my bike, and headed West to Dorchester. I have lost count of the amount of BMW DEALERSHIPS across the country I have been in these past two months. And I must admit the service and welcome in each dealership has been the highest of standards that BMW owners have come to love and expect. So why all the fuss about CW MOTORCYCLES? I arrived later than expected, due to the driving rain and entered the showroom in my full M/C clothing with helmet on, and leaving little pools of water wherever I stood. From out of the distance came a voice, come in here and sit down by the warm radiator and how do take your coffee? This was not the reception area, I was indeed being beckoned into the M.D. office. He had no idea who I was as I was still donning my helmet, and here I was steaming wet, face to face with DAVE WYNDHAM. My first 10 seconds in CW MOTORCYCLES says it all. Why the fuss? Well that is easy to explain, having now visited. Put simply it is the family atmosphere about the place. This is unlike any other business like dealerships. It could so easy have been your best friends garage. After only five minutes I had met everybody from the trainee mechanic to the M.D. They are proud of their dealership and the family atmosphere reflects that.

17 - 20 JAN 01   LEIGH / MANCHESTER-WESTHOUGHTON- SHREWSBURY-MANCHESTER.

Departed Plymouth early on the 17 Jan, a day later than planned and headed north to PENDLEBURY via Leigh for a prearranged  meeting with MR Hine, the Head of Marketing at BARLOW Radiator Company. Mr Hine presented the SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS fund a cheque for £250.00. Thank you for your generosity.

I arrived at PENDLEBURY and went to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to introduce myself to the charity team. I then booked into the Henry Boddingtons Premier Lodge and received a warm welcome from  the Manager and Staff. It was nice to be back up north again.

On the 18 Jan 00, I departed Manchester to visit the Staff and Pupils at Westhoughton High School. My visit was to enable a photo shoot with the Bolton Evening News and to spend  an hour with the children from the 5th year and six form. Thank you to all the staff for your assistance. It was nice to see all the enthusiastic faces, and a pleasure to spend an hour with them. (I have not forgotten my promise and a visit is now being arranged).

Early On the 19 Jan We headed south to Shrewsbury to meet the Mayor of Shrewsbury and the poorly children from the Royal Children's Hospital. I was looked after by Penny the ward Sister. It was only a short visit as my schedule required a quick return to Manchester for the prearranged press conference. We completed the photo shoot with the Manchester Evening News and the Advertiser.

On completion of the press call. I headed to the centre of Manchester DEANS GATE to complete some Radio Interviews. Thank you PICCADILLY RADIO  and KEY FM. In the evening, back in the Henry Boddingtons we had a very nice evening in the company of Linda Roberts (Charity Organiser) and her husband. It was nice to unwind in the company of such fine people. In the morning 20 Jan, tired from the heavy schedule, and a little nervous of the driving snow. I packed my bike and headed south to Plymouth. The response from the media, hospital staff, Westhoughton High School  and all the staff in the Henry Boddingtons was fabulous.

16 JAN 01 JOHN DEACON - PARIS DAKAR - LIVE THE DREAM

Me and John 

BMW (PARIS DAKAR) TEAM 

DECEMBER  00

Go on John ! We are all behind you. Whoop those KTM's !! keep Going Son, Keep going

I would like to pay tribute to all the OVERLANDERS that have been before me, and the ones that are about to embark on their own journey. I am lucky enough to be receiving some good Press Coverage which I hope will now raise some money for the intended children's hospitals. I even know a couple here in the UK, who will soon be selling their house and belongings to travel the world. Why am I saying this ? Well I feel a little embarrassed by all the attention, and where have I travelled before today? Well, One trip around Europe and that is all.

I would like to thank SEXY WENDY, the Ministry Of Defence Public Relations Officer for her assistance, organisational skills and being there. Today I received some fantastic News that the Sun News Paper may be covering my story and they shall be flying a REPORTER and PHOTOGRAPHER out to the SAHARA. I also know that a few papers will be requiring updates on a weekly basis. And now thanks to the team at COMPAQ I will  have the equipment to do this. I have been asked by the WARD SISTERS from the children's ward DERIFORD HOSPITAL can I keep the children updated as I travel, which makes COMPAQ generosity even more special. 

I would like to thank LT IAN BLACKBURN (SM2) for his effort in trying to obtain some money for my costs, and COMMANDER HINE (Commanding Officer H.M.S. TALENT) who I  understand has been more than supportive.

I will now be away till Monday as I have to go North to Manchester to do some Fund Raising and Media Coverage ( What do I sound like ! ) and then off to SHREWSBURY to meet the MAYOR. Again I would like to thank all the sponsors who have been with me since the beginning, because at the time we never dreamed I would receive such publicity. All I need now is somebody to help me with the FUEL EXPENSE.  So if you are out there MR SHELL, MR TEXACO please contact me.

Should you wish to make a donation to THE SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS  click here.

Well that's it for now, and hopefully I will receive some good news this afternoon or tomorrow, ref my expenses. I Will let you know later. Last but not least I had my yellow fever & polo injections today and I have the certificate. All systems GO.

UPLOADING A TRIP REPORT

Practice time. I have uploaded software to my site (camara / ftp) which should enable me to download my pictures from any location in the world namely, a cyber cafe (not many in the Sahara) and further software which will enable me to FTP my trip reports and images to my site. The practice page now and real page for the journey is HERE. Will try this out in Manchester this coming weekend.

16 JAN 00   M.O.D. PRESS RELEASE

• TODAY PRESS RELEASE BY M.O.D.
• 16 JAN 01 (11.45)  PRESS SHOOT- DERIFORD HOSPITAL
• 18 JAN 01 (11.00) PRESS SHOOT-WESTHOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL  
• 18 JAN 01( 2.00 PM)  PRESS SHOOT ROYAL MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (PENDLEBURY)
• 19 JAN 01 AT 11 AM - AFFILIATED TOWN SHREWSBURY TO MEET THE MAYOR. 

13 JAN 00  TED SIMON'S IN TOWN

Well DORCHESTER actually. For those that do not know him, this guy is the original OVERLANDER, 25 years ago he travelled the world, a distance travelled of over 75.000 miles, taking four years and wrote the much acclaimed book Jupiter's Travels. At the young age of "60 plus" he is preparing, courtesy of the overland specialists CW MOTOR CYCLES DORSET a GS100. TED will be conducting a book signing session on Saturday the 27 Jan, location CW MOTORCYCLES. I emailed CW Motorcycles for more information and spoke to : Dave Wyndham. Very helpful indeed and I further explained about my SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS ride. and he very kindly offered to check my bike prior to departure. If you are going the book signing ceremony I shall see you there.

RIDE MAGAZINE

Partner Dave Wyndham summed up the CW winning formula: "When someone puts trust in us they deserve respect and service. If we can become Britain's best just by offering value for money, I hate to think what the worst are doing !!

Thank you CW MOTORCYCLES.

12 JAN 00  COMPAQ  

Thank you to Compaq for providing COMPAQ IPAQ ACCESSORIES. For those that don't own one, they are hand held PC that have A vast variety of functions. I have utilised this by storing all sorts of information including all my scanned maps for both the Sahara trip and around the world trip. All web sites that have been useful in the planning. All my GPS way points. At least 100 consular addresses and visa information text pages to name but a few. Unfortunately due to the vast amount of information I have downloaded I am now full to capacity. The whole system  runs on battery's and of the bike battery via adapter. Combined with a colour screen and backlight this has to be the perfect travel companion.

BMW ALARM / SIGNIFICANT SIGNS

Thank you to BILL and PETER (OCEAN BMW) for your efforts and kind donation of your services, for supplying and fitting a discounted  BMW BIKE ALARM SYSTEM. Thank you to PETER for spoiling what was going to be a perfect day. 

I would like to thank significant signs for all their support, if you didn't know they are simply the best sign writers in Plymouth and up to their necks in work. And on my sponsors behalf have been creating sponsorship logos and stickers for my bike.

11 JAN 00   SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS

We now have the dates of the press shoot

• DERIFORD HOSPITAL - MONDAY 15 JAN 01  AT 3.30 PM
• WESTHOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL 17 JAN 00 AT 2.OO PM 
• MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THURSDAY 18 JAN 01 AT 2.00 PM

All welcome to attend, the more the better. Please come along and join us.

11 JAN 00   READY AT LAST !

After all the nights in, and all the expense the bike is now ready for the trip to Africa. I just need to wire up the secondary cables and do a few minor adjustments and its full steam ahead. When I get some free time I shall take it on to the moors and try a little off road with the bike fully loaded just to get used to the weight and new continental tyres. 

Did you know that continental have redeveloped the tck80 with the R1150GS in mind. They have now increased the rubber thickness a further 4mm above the bead. This apparently is to protect the tyre from those nasty thorns which is a common cause of punctures. I shall be more qualified to an opinion in two months time.

Monika - Barbican Plymouth

11 JAN 00      THANK YOU

Today I received my first sponsorship  for:

"AROUND THE WORLD FOR KIDS"

www.conti-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle

They are going to supply me GERMANYS number one selling tyre the CONTINENTAL TCK80, No 1 choice of Overlanders who own R1100/1150. 

I would  also like to thank Mr HINE, Mr PERKS and Mr BLACKBURN for their efforts and assistance over the past few days. Really appreciated.

10 JAN 00   TRAVEL and MEDICAL INSURANCE / INJECTIONS

Received the required paper work and now have medical cover which includes MEDIVAC and personal cover up to £2.000.000. 

Received the first of my vaccinations. Only two today, but how I hate needles. I was reliably informed that I was out of date for all my Jabs which means I only have 105 injections to go  ;-)

MONIKA & DAD (IVAN)

11 JAN 00  THANK YOU    

TYRE SPONSORSHIP "SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS"

I would like to thank  PRO TYRES-MICHELDEVER TYRE SERVICES PLC Winchester TEL: 01962774700) for donating one set of tyres  "CONTINENTAL TCK80"  for the the SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS, as always appreciated. 

6 JAN 00  -  SAHARA CROSSING FOR KIDS

I shall on behalf of two charities be riding across the SAHARA Desert.

• ROYAL MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
• DERIFORD (PLYMOUTH) CHILDREN'S UNIT  

Departing from ROYAL MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL destination ATAR, MAURITANIA. A 6000 Mile return Journey. See charity link for pay instructions.

It is intended to do a Press shoot at both Manchester and Plymouth hospitals with the children, date is to be confirmed.  There will be a departure from outside Manchester United football ground 13:00 (1pm) on SUNDAY 21 JAN 00 were I shall try to raise some more money I would love a send off from the  Northern biker community and a joint ride to the motorway heading south would be a terrific send off. The editor of the MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS as already offered  to publicise the event. Then a Final departure from outside Deriford Hospital at 19:00 (7 pm). 

3 JAN 00   MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL 

Today I contacted the above Children's Hospital informing them that I would like to raise money for their Hospital. Why Manchester? My home town. 

I have requesting a letter confirming my association with Children's Wards. To include account number and pay details:

ROYAL MANCHESTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL:

For confirmation of association contact:

Charity Liaison Officers:

• KATE TURNER
• JOYCE DENISON
• 44 (0) 161 794 4696

Deriford charity Liaison Officer

• DERIFORD HOSPITAL Charity Liaison Officer:

  TANYA CRAIGO (SISTER) CHILDREN'S UNIT. TEL: 01752-792-679

   

05 JAN 00   PETROL TANK 41 LITRE / PAINT / SIGN WRITING

Today it took two people namely Steve leach my overland specialist and his assistant four hours to fit the the tank. It cost me nearly £800.00 and a lot of nights in, and the only instructions were in German! You would think out of a fee of £800 TOURATECH  could spare a few pence to create and send fitting instructions in English. One call to Bracken resolved the issue. A fax was duly sent within five minutes.

I must thank JIM and his team at SIGNIFICANT SIGNS Plymouth as they found time to create my custom stickers and an excellent job they did too and all for free.. Also Jerry from HARD ROCK CUSTOM PAINTS Plymouth who did a fantastic paint Job at a reduced cost.

05 JAN 00  DOCUMENTS CHECK LIST (26 DAYS TO DEPARTURE)

Received email from email from JEFF GERBING confirming they are going to supply additional heated clothing for the (R.W.T). Thank you all very much.

04 JAN 00  DOCUMENTS / PARTS ARRIVAL

At last my 41 LITRE -TOURATECH TANK and ACRABIS hand guards have arrived from BRACKEN - Thank you again JOHN HILL

1. Received  from AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION: 

• INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT. 

2. Received from DEVITT INSURANCE TEL: 01708 385566 - DAME McIntosh  

• BAIL BOND
• GREEN CARD

3. Received from MIKE at WARM SAFE a second

• HEAT TROLLER

03 JAN 00  INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT

I  would like to thank the AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION especially : Margaret Neller at the I.D.P OFFICE for her assistance in obtaining an I.D.P.

02 JAN  01  TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE

The search is now on to find a Premier Company that will provide value for money and  required medical cover including AIR AMBULANCE  and domestic flight cover. An essential requirement in the event of a accident. watch this space.

02 JAN  01  GREEN CARD  Continued

I again contacted DEVITT INSURANCE TEL: 01708 385566 and spoke to a very helpful broker called DAME McIntosh a fellow TRAVELLER who understood the need for a green card and the implications of not having one. He happily agreed to supply me with a GREEN CARD. This company specialises in BMW M/C Insurance . Thank you:  DAME McIntosh, Address for Insurance:

• DAME McINTOSH 

• BMW M/C - INSURANCE

• DEVITT INSURANCE SERVICES LTD, NORTH HOUSE, ST EDWARDS WAY, ROMFORD, ESSEX. TELEX: 44 1708 385566

PETROL TANK

41 Litre petrol Finally arrived from Touratech now on route from BRACKEN. Additional order made, Mini Indicators and EXTRA LARGE Roll bag.

02 JAN  01 GREEN CARD

Today I contacted my insurance company requesting  GREEN CARD INSURANCE to enable me to drive with cover in Europe and enable me access to Morocco. I was informed by my broker that GREEN CARD does not exist anymore and all that is required abroad is a BAIL BOND CERTIFICATE and a further document which lists all Legal representatives in Europe that I must contact in the event of a accident or general police enquiry. The forms are being sent for FREE.

02 JAN 00  MINI INDICATORS

If you purchase Touratech ZEGA panniers remember to order mini indicators for the rear of the bike as the originals look a little naff when panniers fitted.

30 DECEMBER 00  NEW YEARS EVE

As the New year draws in and I reflect on what is to come, and all the new friends I have made since I made my decision to travel the world. I have to say its been a good year. I want to thank firstly all my SPONSORS who share my dream. All the members from the GS Mailing list (BMW-GS@MicaPeak.com) for their unselfish support and advice.

PLYMOUTH HARBOUR

I am now nine months into the planning and have a further 13 months to departure. If there is one bit of advice to any body planning their first RWT it would be start your preparations early and save, save and save. Unless you are lucky enough to have a sugar daddy which unfortunately I do not have.  You quickly learn that preparing a bike and all that is involved is an expensive venture. I estimate already that I have spent close to $4000.00 which has meant a lot of personal sacrifices. I haven't even seen "Manchester United Football Club" Playing this season   so believe me when I say personal sacrifice I mean exactly that. There are some essential books that I really recommend which include Chris Scotts  ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE HANDBOOK and Ted Simon JUPITER TRAVELS. There is also some terrific sites on the internet, non better in my opinion that HORIZONS UNLIMITED and our very own BMW-GS@MicaPeak.com. If you have the DREAM and the desire to travel well go for it ! Start planning or just go! You have only one life and even if its 100 miles or 100,000 miles its your dream so fulfil it.

And last but not least, many people have asked me or emailed me to ask " Have I considered been associated with a Charity " and the simple answer to that is yes. There are numerous children charities that could benefit from such a trip. Investigating association with a Manchester Children's Hospital. (My Place of Origin)  and a local children's hospital here in Plymouth. 

If you have got this far you probably know already that I am SUBMARINER and have been for 24 years and to be in the Submarine Service means being part of a team and it doesn't matter what role we play or what country we serve, we all have one thing in common and that is a mutual respect for each other and pride in the work we do. The Royal Navy Submarine Museum do a fantastic job in preserving the history of the Submarine Service and most importantly they do tremendous work for the families of Submariners lost at sea or Injured whilst on duty. I think its important that we recognise the work that the Submarine Museum does and I would relish the chance to raise money for this worthwhile charity.