Finally, the first memoirs of the trip from London home. The guys are currently in Senegal at the moment, the last I heard and doing very well. They are on the road for just over a month now. Watch this space for daily updates. It's a lot of reading but definitely worth the read. Please post comments, words of encouragement etc. and we will pass it on to them. This is so exciting.

Day 1: Wed, 26 Dec 2007, London (England) to Fleury Megonis (France)

Set 2 alarms, one for 0640 and the 2nd for 0700. Typically I switched off the 1st and snoozed the 2nd till 0720 when I decided that it’s time to get up. As I expected I hardly slept. Equally as expected I underestimated the packing. Had packed for 3 days and was still packing at midnight of the previous night. There are just too many small things that are time consuming and while I have criticised others for hording I must admit that I’m a bit of a horder myself. The nerves kicked in round this time so I decided to relax with a couple of whiskeys and cigs. Oh, and finish off the umpteenth Carlsberg which along with Fosters, Rey and I had been drinking since Xmas Eve afternoon. The stuff was a complete waste. Only thing it did was fill me and then I’d empty it in the toilet. Around 0100 I was still jittery but decided it best to try go sleep.

Rey was already up and getting himself sorted. Finalised my packing, yes, was still packing, and readied ourselves to leave. I fear that I may have done something wrong with my boxes to be shipped home or left out something. Was particularly concerned about by bicycle. Well I hope everything will be alright. Was also feeling embarrassed that I had not left behind a clean house instead left it to Dean and Dabata to sort out. Not good of me at all.
Actually this trip has given me a bit of a kickstart. Over the last couple years I had adopted a very much a “manyana manyana” attitude to getting things done. Hence I found myself with so much to do the last 1 and a bit week. I sincerely hope this trip will help me return to knocking things on the head while they hot. I need to.

Dean and Dabata popped by around 0800. Erwie also eventually awoke around this time. He had slept since early Xmas morning. Woke up with a sore stomach on Xmas day and went back to sleep till Boxing Day morning. Kirby and Rory also came by Xmas night. We had our usual good laughs. Will miss those moments.

Dean, Dabata and Erwie gave us a hand with our final packing. Helping me with my boxes and packing our final bit and bobs in the car. We had done the main packing the night before. After our final packing we looked at the car and wondered where the hell are going with all these things. Typical South Africas we over-packed. More typical I knicked some of the braai meat we had since Xmas eve while Rey had packed some of the juices and hot x buns, as we both agreed.
Just before we set off Dean took a few photos. Even though the moment had now come I still didn’t fully appreciate it. Guess there was just so much going through my mind that it was difficult to appreciate one thing. Dean offered to drive us to the A2 so we followed behind him. I gave a last few toots on the hooter as we set off.