Tuesday October 9th 2007

The Discovery V8 is going through its final preparations at the Market Rasen dealership before Friday's departure.

How much more can you cram into a Discovery 3? From what I gather there is a lot more to be loaded into the vehicle yet, I am worried there won't be any room for Ben and Howard!

Don't worry you will see some photos of the Duckworth Daring Duo before they leave for their adventure. Anyone would think they were camera shy!

Keep looking???

Wednesday October 10th 2007

There is still some work to do to the vehicle it still has to have it's special wheels and tyres fitted before Friday.

Howard checks on the food mountain (looks enough to feed a small village already), although there is still more food shopping to do. But I don't know where they are going to put it all.

Ben and Howard need enough supplies to keep them fed and watered for the 5 day desert adventure, there are no KFC's or Macdonald's on route I am afraid!!

Leave room for the toilet rolls! Hope you have left some at the dealership?

Howard obviously isn't camera shy after all, here he is sporting a cooking pan on his head?

Thursday October 11th 2007

At last the wheels and tyres have been fitted ...... How smart do they look?

For those interested, the tyres are Yokohama Geolander A/T-S 275/60/R18, which are fitted with L322 Range Rover wheels and 30mm spacers to enable a good fit over the brakes which are bigger than standard as they are V8 specification. We also had to use Range Rover wheel nuts.

Originally the vehicle had 19" tyres, but Ben decided 18" would give a much better ride over the desert where we will be letting pressures down to 15psi, this will also prevent 'pinch flats' from any rocks and debris.

As part of the planning we will also be taking 2 spare wheels, one under the car in the original place and another on the rear wheel carrier. (These wheel carriers are not standard Land Rover parts but are available from our Parts Shop).

Friday October 12th 2007

Looks like they've actually gone then.( I thought my office was tidy and the dealership seems very quiet)

This is the last we will see of this chivalrous pair for two whole weeks.

However, they have both promised to keep us up to date during their trials and tribulations.

They left at 5.00am for the lunchtime ferry, followed by the 1600 mile drive on the continent down to Algecerias. The plan is to use Peage roads in spain and france for fast motoring and the planned route through France and Spain in to go through Bordeaux and Madrid. The return journey will be along the Algarve..

Please just keep looking......

Saturday October 13th 2007

Well they must be in the middle of the sea at present, lets hope the Land Rover boys don't fall in!!

They have now driven through traffic in Paris on Friday afternoon (what a move) and continued down to Bordeaux and onto Madrid, whilst the other competitors are on the boat to Spain.

Lunchtime today sees the car cruise through Madrid and South. The boys kept going through the night getting only a few hours sleep (All to watch the rugby in a bar perhaps with some R&R prior to setting off to Africa....)

They fear they may have become famous with the French speed camera's! Howard is apparently experiencing nose bleeds, its either the speed they are traveling or he's home sick! Any excuse to get the wet wipes out again!

Sunday October 14th 2007

Well they have finally reached spain and are doing their final preparations for sailing to Africa.

The car has undergone a good check, lights and levels etc, and the team have met up with Martin and Jo from Team M & S Freight. Between the two teams a plan has now been put together for the drive through North Africa to the Start line - Safety in numbers and all that...

Now waiting for latest updates from the duo, they must be either very busy or enjoying themselves too much as contact seems to have been lost today!!

Monday October 15th 2007

Today has been about repacking and sorting the kit, the boys have purchased their ferry tickets to catch the ferry at 7.00am tomorrow.

Once they leave the ferry they have a long 200 mile drive through North Africa to reach the start line for scrutineering at 4.30pm, ready to start the race on Wednesday.

The car has been fully re-packed with all of the kit in its correct places. Recovery gear, first aid kits etc nearer to the front, air compressor plugged in, Camping gear at the ready.

All looking good though, the thirsty Discovery is fully fuelled up. The boys have got all the shopping done for the trip as well, so it looks like they are ready for the challenge ahead.

But they have still had time to visit Gibraltar today and saw some monkeys, a big rock and even watched the changing of the guards.

Those monkeys do look familiar somehow?

Tuesday October 16th 2007

4.30am this morning sees Ben and Howard leaving to catch the ferry to Africa. Once docked they will have a 200 mile drive to the start line, for briefings and scrutineering for the event.

Disaster last night as the Hotel reported that some undesirable interest had been shown on the cars and we had to arrange for the cars to be garaged. This unfortunately meant that the cars with their height issues had to be stripped of roof mounted kit etc.

7.00am saw the ferry leave, goodbye civilization, on a very choppy crossing to Ceuta,

At the Morocco boarder we endure a long process of importing ourselves and the car into Africa, a lengthy 4 part process that eventually needs stamping by the Chief of police prior to us being allowed to drive in Morocco.

The Duckworth team have no back-up crew so all of our kit has to be carried ourselves, however some of the other teams have this facility allowing the cars to be run much lighter.

Land Rover Owner journalist Neil Watterson will meet up with the adventurous pair later on today, Neil will be with them for the duration of the event to capture all those interesting pictures that the boys wouldn't want us to see!

Well by 5.00pm Scrutineering passed and start positions given. The Duckworth / MS Freight team will be starting in 8th position at 9.24am - Good Luck lads..

Wednesday October 17th 2007

Well the Duckworth boys were due to start the race at 9.24am local time this morning, so I would imagine they are rather busy today. They will be driving from Meknes, through Ifrane and hoping to be at Timnay camp by this evening.

Several teams had issues when setting off, as the first GPS point was incorrect, so they spent hours looking for it, however once guessed and found they were on our way.

The first day saw the teams sent through the cedar forests of North Morocco, surrounding the Kings Palaces. Disaster in the forest when the CB aerial got snapped of the Discovery whilst searching in for the forest for the GPS positions, this now cut communications between the two cars and the support teams. A repair is needed!

On route today they even came across a ski slope on their journey, apparently this is one only one in Morocco (unless they are very lost).

The route then began to wind its way into the Low Atlas mountains, going for all of the GPS positions to get maximum points, which led the team to another disaster - A blown and un-repairable tyre! Not good on day 1, maybe this was also the product of a little too much enthusiasm?

Not an easy task to jack up a Discovery weighing 3 tonnes and that's not counting all the toilet rolls they have taken with them.

Martin and Jo's Defender has also had overheating problems, luckily our boys used their expertise to help sort the issues.

Well overall a good day seeing us not too late in the camp and a good amount of points scored!

Getting ready for tea the team discover that their trusty calor gas stove won't connect to their Altagas bottle.... Great ! - However a local gas bottle and burner was sourced for the grand sum of £4.60 including our heavy fine for a non-return!

But what a joy to have a G4 Kelly kettle to make a good cup of tea after the day's excitement.

They also witnessed some great examples on the way, seeing how the locals transport hay, sheep, goats etc - It seems that there is always room for another one....

Thursday October 18th 2007

I have just had a very hurried telephone call from Ben, to say they are currently in 2nd place, despite a few hair raising moments. Whilst the going is good and mainly road based the Discovery V8 is in its element. Lets hope the pair can keep up the pace when the going gets rough and the other more modified vehicles should benefit.

They will be traveling from Timany Camp, through Imichil, Todra Gorge and will complete today's journey in Tinirhire.

Communications haven't been good today. The boys have been high in the atlas mountains. The weather has been atrocious with torrential rain causing some of the tracks to become flooded and some snow fall hasn't helped much either.

After a terrible 13 hours of grueling driving and navigating their way through the toughest terrain, even having to use the Hi lift jacks to lift rocks out of their path, which benefited other competitors as well - what gents they are!

The so called registered roads are more like dirt tracks, washed out and not following the maps..... All GPS positions today were supposed to be either side of a dry river bed, so surprised to find the rivers in full flow! - Today the main Gorge river was crossed approximately 15 times. Each crossing meant checking for hidden rocks and obstacles, Only once did the front protection plate on the Discovery come to meet a bolder. Its amazing how quickly a fully laden Discovery can go from 5Mph to 0MPH!

Everyone is having issues with their vehicles, but nothing that you wouldn't expect in such extremes. So proud to see they are still battling on regardless.

Eventually camp was reached where the team benefited from a room in the camping complex, so a good nights sleep was had.

Friday October 19th 2007

Just had a quick call from Ben, apparently both him and Howard are absolutely shattered. Although they are both enjoying their adventure tremendously, neither were prepared for the extremes they would have to face.

Still they both seemed very up beat and were heading off for their briefing, hoping to find out how yesterday's delights has placed them.

Have just found out that they are currently holding on to 4th place, so keep up the good work boys!

They have even encountered the delights of a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Amazing to see they have locks on the doors, but the walls are made of mud and straw.

Today saw the route take an amazing drive over a salt flat and down onto the desert savannah floor. The car is great in these conditions as the going is very smooth, today speeds have been high for the boys and we have benefited over the slower vehicles - Lets hope we can keep this up.

Sleeping under the stars tonight could be interesting as it is over 100 miles from a road (no street lights there then). Wild camp on the edge of the Sahara - the boys can't wait for their Lincolnshire Sausage and bacon in the morning...

Saturday October 20th 2007

Updates from Ben at 7.45pm (our time)

" We slept under the stars last night and luckily we didn't meet any unwanted guests, like snakes joining us"

"Well we are still currently holding on to 4th place and 1st place for standard car, despite another day of exhilaration's. They set us off 1st this morning, through a mountain range and then straight into virginal sand dunes. Disaster as we headed in the direction of the first GPS point right into the middle of a very soft 5 square miles of sand dunes! 500yrds in 2 hrs! The corn shovels that the team have taken so much stick for came into their own as the car was dug-out time after time...

" I have to tell you about our most impressive items of kit we have used in particular today, not only the shovels but also the Max - Tracks which are fantastic for driving on sand, even though they look like a cross between a cheese grater and big orange potato waffles"

The fuel pump on the Defender has been making a terrible noise today so Ben and Martin have headed off with a local to get a replacement and unfortunately miss out on the special night stage, but have one on our own as we are goaded off on a 100mile round trip...

On the way....

"Must tell you this funny story before I sign off. Whilst on our travels today, we came across some beggars and one in particular had a donkey laden with trinkets and all it's owner worldly goods. As we approached the donkey had quite blatantly had enough of these shenanigans and started to create and broke free from it's owner. All we saw was the donkey doing a bucking bronco act, galloping off into the sunset, being chased at some distance by his owner shouting and gesticulating. It looked like something out of a carry on film, I just hope the donkey had sat nav to find it's way home"

" Finally we are still commiserating about the Rugby score...."

Sunday October 21st 2007

Last day today, the boys are now in 6th position and I hear on the grapevine this morning that the local Berber Chief would be willing to give 100 camels in part exchange for Howard.

We have had a very tough day, many of the points were in sited in the middle of the sand dunes.

We had to walk through knee deep in sand, in some places to locate the points, this was a skill in itself.

Latest updates from Ben at 12.00pm;

" Scores just announced; we won the Team Spirit Award and 1st place for Standard Car, but sadly 7th overall"

Well done boys, we are all extremely proud of you!!!!! So should you be!

Monday October 22nd 2007

Our brave pair are on their way back, so will let you have updates as and when I hear from them.....

Brief text message 7.20pm from Ben...

"Had a hard day today, drove the length of Morocco - 600 miles, started at 5.00 o'clock and just got back to the ferry to Spain"

"Got to Estapona for 10pm. The car is now suffering from the 80 octane fuel and is down on power! However pleased that a total fill up is about £35"

Sorry not so many photo's today, they must have forgotten how to use the camera?

Tuesday October 23rd 2007

Just received these 2 photos, I assume they must be somewhere in Spain?

5.00pm, I have just spoken to Ben. Apparently both him and Howard are totally shattered, as they have driven 350 miles today across Spain and are currently in Alicanti.

His parting comment was "And now we are just heading off for a beer"

Wednesday October 24th 2007

Well they should be aiming for Dijon in France today, but will confirm when I hear from the intrepid pair.

1.20pm, update from Ben;

"On our way north for the French border, just fuelled up yet again. 1088 miles to Calais. 22 degrees but rather over-cast at the moment"

2.30pm, latest from Ben;

" We are well on our way now to Barcelona. But feeling rather lethargic and very run down, after all the excitement of the event. So we are taking it a rather steady today, all that Moroccan sand has left me with a cough"

7.30pm, text from Ben;

"Now in France and shattered"

Thursday October 25th 2007

9.22am, latest from Ben;

"Set off early this morning, on our way to Paris, have been over Millau Bridge, over the River Tarn in southern France, but too foggy to take photos, now 886 miles from Market Rasen"

Point of interest, the Millau bridge, also known as Sky Bridge, took 3 years to complete and was designed by british architect-Lord Foster. His aim was to design a bridge with the delicacy of a butterfly, to enhance the natural beauty of the Tarn valley. It is the highest bridge in the world and weighs 36,000 tonnes. It is 984 feet at its highest point, higher than the Eiffel Tower.

9.53am, another text from Ben;

"Now 359 miles from the Eiffel Tower

4.00pm, pictures and text from Ben;

"Guess where we are now?"