02 April. Zambia: Gwembe Safari's, Choma

Author: Chrissy Prydun
GPS: S16 48.411 E026 57.103 
Total Distance: 19040km 

Weather: A bit cooler today but still sunny and it seems to be drier everywhere so I think we are heading out of Zambia's rainy season

Daily travel (route, road): As you know today was the big day when we would get a chance to road test (pun intended- sorry for the cheesy joke) Colin's new holey foam cushion. The days drive had sparked a lot of debate the night before particularly regarding how far we ought to drive on our first day. The team was a bit divided. Two arguments had emerged. Bear with me because they are a bit complex and descriptive and this will probably become a bit wordy but may give a bit more of an idea of the complexity surrounding some of the issues involved here for anyone who is interested. 

One theory was to do a long day's drive to Livingstone (470km). The argument for this is that in theory, when Col will be driving, the small hole that has been cut out in the foam cushion will ensure that there is no pressure on the two pressure sores while he drives. Col will only wear a Kikoy to cover his lap (so no shorts which could rub or irritate his sores) and we have minimised transfers (so that now we only need to move Col once directly from mattress to drivers chair), the only real risk to the pressure sores comes from this one transfer. i.e. when we move Col there is still a risk that when we attempt to sit him over the small hole, that due to a slight change of posture we may at first place him on the hole incorrectly and bump or dislodge the scabs that have formed over the pressure sores. We can check this because Woody has drilled a hole into the bottom of the driver's seat so with the aid of an inspection mirror and torch we can check that both sores are visible and hence have no pressure on them once Col is sat in place. Therefore the argument here was that once Col was sat correctly in place we should make the most of his position and do a long days drive to get some miles under our belt in our attempt for Col to drive to Cape Town successfully. 

Another theory was to do two short days of driving. 300km to Choma today (Sunday) and 170km to Livingstone on Monday. The argument against this was that we would have to do double the transfers and therefore double our chances of dislodging the scabs off the two pressure sores. However the argument supporting this involves a third wound that has emerged. Col has had a small graze between his left hip and leg which he does sit on but has been no problem at all for several weeks now. However recently sitting on the shower chair with a slightly different posture to normal may have managed to aggravate it. It isn't anything serious but we realise that it is now important to account for it when Col is both sitting on his shower chair for his routine and when he is driving so that it doesn't turn into anything more serious. It wasn't possible to cut another hole in the foam cushion to account for this third problem graze because it would take away from some of the support offered by the foam cushion. As an alternative The Doc suggested cutting a hole in a thick silica pad and placing it over the graze so that it formed a raised protective area surrounding the wound. When Col sits on this area in theory the raised circular padded area helps lift any pressure off the graze in the middle. Unlike the other two pressure sores which we can monitor while Col drives with the aid of the inspection mirror, this third wound is out of sight and even though the Doc had come up with this ingenious solution obviously it is not fool proof and we didn't know if due to the bumps that come with driving that the graze might be subject to pressure anyway. Hence the argument for doing a short day's drive would be to check that the silica pad had worked. If after a short day's drive Col's graze hadn't been subject to pressure then we would know that we could do longer days of trucking successfully in the future. 

As a result the team decided to do a shorter days drive to Choma to air on the side of caution even though there was still some speculation as to whether this was the best idea. The morning's transfer was a little rocky. In our first attempts to get Col positioned in place we managed to incorrectly place him over the hole so that one of the pressure sores was indeed squashed by the foam. It was a minor incident, but this in itself dislodged some of the scab as expected. We all relifted him to reposition him correctly and this time both wounds were clear. When we arrived in Choma, it was again suggested that Col just push on with the extra 170km to Livingstone because if today's transfer had bumped the scab who knows what tomorrow's could do. However, Col had a headache (usually his body's way of telling him something isn't right) and so his hunch was to stop and check that the third wound hadn't been aggravated by the day's drive despite of the silica pad. 

When we arrived at the camp in retrospect we realised it had probably been a good idea to stop. Both pressure sores had faired up well despite of the fact one of them had had some of the scab knocked off from the transfer this morning. As for the graze we realised from the mark on the cushion that despite of the raised perimeter of silica pad, it had indeed been in contact with the foam cushion and had deteriorated slightly. This was probably what had caused Col's headache and if we had kept driving for the day it may have deteriorated more. A solution was in turn devised to account for this problem. The Doc suggested sticking a few cut out Granuflex layers to the base of the silica pad to offer even more lift to the surrounding area, so hopefully this will suffice when we drive to Livingstone tomorrow. 

Camping/Team (Dynamics, health): 

We camped overnight at Gwebe safaris. Doc was back in form engaging in some catch up training for the marathon he plans to run, Woody went to chat to the owner of the campsite about the tractors he had on site and we all marvelled at the campsites collection of crocodiles which the owner breeds to produce crocodile oil - apparently useful for a host of ailments and infections. I realised as we sat down to another one of Kiko's delicious curry's (perfect after the mountain-load of chilli I dumped on my portion) engaging in the usual amusing chit chat that I am really going to miss camp life and these five unique and entertaining individuals. I hope the next two weeks don't fly by too quickly because even though everyone might well appreciate a return to normality I think we will look back in the not too distant future at our time on the road and remember how lucky we were to have the opportunity to do this trip! 

Even though Ben, Kiko, Woody and the Doc have been camped in the tents in the Flinn's front yard for the past two weeks, Col and I have been staying inside the Flinn's house in their spare room and as much as we have appreciated their hospitality it was great sleeping out in our tents again back to nature and having my old room mate Kiko back to chat to and help me zip my sleeping bag up (I have an almost nightly ritual of struggling to zip up my sleeping bag in the dark and general faffing around in the tent)! 

The days events had again prompted debate during the evening with some people still adamant that we push on as far as possible. A suggestion to drive to Botswana rather than stopping in Livingstone but as tomorrow is routine day which means that Col has to sit on his shower chair which will contribute to the total time Col is sat up. Secondly we have a package to pick up in Livingstone and Thirdly the Doc want's to road test the silica pad with extra granuflex on it. I have no doubt that once we get over this initial hurdle of taking pressure off the graze and perfect our morning transfers to minimise damage to the pressure sores that we will all soon have the confidence to get some long trucking days under our belt. Moreover, if we begin a pattern of driving one long day on and then having one day off (where Col can do his shower chair routine) I feel confident not only that we can make it to Cape Town successfully but that Col will complete all the driving himself with minimal pressure sore deterioration. The cushion with a hole in it is one of the best idea's the team has had and I am quite proud of Woody and Ben's efforts in putting it together. 

I realise amidst all the joking around that there was some tension around camp tonight (inspite of Ben's cheery guitar playing) due to the aforementioned conflicting opinions about how far we should drive. However, despite of some rumour that the disagreements may be based on selfish pursuits, I feel this to be incorrect and actually believe it all stems from having Col's best interests at heart. Everyone want's to see Col make it to Cape Town more than ever and the confliction merely stems from people wanting to see him realise that dream in the best way they see possible. The possibility of Col not making it is still a real concern in the mind of some of the team members, that's all. 

General Interest: Yesterday was April Fool's day and Col and I being the natural pranksters that we are thought it would be a great day to pull some pranks. The first one revolved around fabricating a tale about the Doc's promiscuity (as he yet again went MIA entertaining our hosts) which Ben and Kiko fell for until the Doc came home and we had to quickly confess that he hadn't actually been up to anything naughty the night before. The second one which our host John became involved with and was particularly pleased with involved sending a fake package from our project managers to our residence in Lusaka addressed to us. John had managed to pick up an empty FedEx box and traced an old carbon copy of a label from another package we had received at the Flinns in Jo's handwriting. The girls had agreed to send us a package at Livingstone (with Col's new pressure relieving cushion) so it's arrival was plausible and we filled it with believable items like Doc's granuflex dressings and a host of random, useless items (like gardening gloves) this mystified the team as to why the girls would send us such random items, while Col and I giggled inconspicuously in the backround. It wasn't until Ben recognised the stripes he had drawn on two bits of useless foam (how is Col going to sit on those?) that he realised the whole team had been subject to a hoax and the sound of 'April Fools' was again resounded. What I didn't realise was that what goes around comes around. My friend Luke had called me at the Flinns and even though I had retold him the whole April Fools pranks we had played on the team I still fell for his story that on the front cover of all the newspapers was an article about a man they had found in a Papua New Guinean tribe who had a flying fox adaptation (a stretch of skin from limb to limb) that enabled him to glide through the bushes. It wasn't till I got off the phone with him that I realised I took first prize for the most gullible April Fool!

03 Apri. Zambia: Zambizi Waterfront, camping

Author: Kiko Matthews
GPS: S17 53.231 E025 50.674 
Total Distance: 19,226km 

Weather: Hot and sunny (by the time we had finished today, we had dropped in height quite considerably so the air temperature was a lot warmer than in Lusaka). 

Daily travel (route, road): Having decided to continue on to Livingstone today, we set off at 9.30ish for the 180 odd km's. It wasn't a particularly exciting drive (as has none of Zambia really) but we were all quite excited but apprehensive at the same time, wondering if the Doc's new granuflex pad had worked for Col's small scratch. 

We arrived at the campsite around 12.30pm and to save on transferring Col too much from chairs, we put him straight on the shower chair and Chrissy started with his routine. Meanwhile, Doc, Woody and I went into town to do the usual tasks:- e-mail, shopping and money changing. We also popped into see Pete Livingstone who has recently returned from being a driver for Beyond Boundries 2. He is an amputee from the knee down following a motorbike accident 18 years ago. He is very similar to Col in that he hasn't let his disability stop him from doing anything. He used to ski on the British disabled ski team and still does everything that is possibly with regards to sport, outdoor activities, driving and everyday things. He also experiences problems with his disability but I got the feeling that he has learnt good management over the past years, as we are learning with Colin. 

We also went to DHL to pick up our package but unfortunately it hadn't arrived! We had a bit of chat with the kind lady and managed to get it sent on to Gaberone for us to pick up in a few days. 

Camping and Living: Col was done by about 5ish, as were us lot in town. The Doc and myself went to watch the sunset over the Zambizi (with a beer or two) whilst the others had their beer back at camp while they prepared a bonfire. After dinner, some of us went to the bar and continued to talk with Pete about life in Zambia, live as an amputee and our trip. 

General Interest: Good news is that the driving and Col, all went well! After having had an evening discussion we decided to leave for 8am which would mean that Chrissy had to get up at 5am to start with the BiOptron (speeds up cell growth and hence repair). We planned to drive as far as possible so as to cover as much ground as possible. We would also have a border crossing to do so an early rise was important. Pete sat around with us whilst we had sausage, mash and beans and talked about various things including how disabled activities in Livingstone were a serious possibility. Some of the companies would go to every effort to allow anyone to do the activities if possible. Vanessa Haarhoff had done a sky-dive since her accident so it just goes to show that everything is possible. Unfortunately, which is slightly crazy, we didn't get to see the Vic Falls or do any activity. I think it will have to be a return trip for us all because it is meant to be amazing. Its a shame but at the end of the day, we're here to get Col to CT safely, not for a holiday. Any who wants to go, I'm free for the next 4 months, staying in Cape Town and have transport, so would be happy for the company!

04 April. Botswana, Francistown: Marang Hotel

Author: Colin Javens
GPS: S21 11.966 E025 31.977 
Total Distance: 19, 799km,

Weather: Hot and sunny, with cloudy intervals (no rain - rivers were very dry which is a huge comparison to 500km away in Zambia where the rafting is about to be closed due to the river being too full). 

Daily travel (route, road): Chrissy and I were up at 5 to start our BiOptroning before everyone else was up at 6am. After packing up and getting me into the car, we managed to be off in good time at 7.30! Our aim for the day was to do 70km to border, clear the border which included a ferry crossing over the Zambizi, and to reach Francistown, approx 500km from the border. Today was the first real test for the seat and cushion that had been made by Woody and Ben. I think if everyone was honest they would all say they were a little apprehensive about the task ahead of us. This would be the first major test to see whether my skin would break down over a long period of driving. 

We reached the border at 8.30am which all went reasonably well and then caught the large ferry across the Zambizi. On the other side of the river we cleared the Botswana customs in record time, and then drove through their Foot and Mouth, troughs. We managed to leave the border by about 10.45am and yet again we witnessed an almost dramatic change in the vegetation and surroundings. 
It took us a further 7 hours of driving on relatively good roads to reach Francistown that evening. 

Health and Team dynamics: We were all pleasantly surprised that the homemade pressure relieving cushion had not created any further break down on my skin having been sitting in the seat for 11 hours straight. During the day I had experienced some slight headaches which often indicate that my body is in pain somewhere and as a result of this, we stopped every hour to un-strap me and lean forward so as to take the pressure off my bottom. This may have also been a contributing factor to why my skin didn't break down. In addition to this, our expedition Dr/surgeon, Mr. Christopher Parsons had improvised with some Granuflex and had come up with a dressing that helped relieve pressure from my third wound on my hip bone. This also contributed to the success of the days drive. 

These areas of skin breakdown are a major concern and if I was at home I would definitely be resting up to heal the areas before they became too much of a problem. The other major concern is that when I reach Cape Town, it may be in the interest of my health and body that I have to rest to relieve pressure from the areas. As a result, this may jeopardize all the PR that has been organised by Jo and Caroline, for South Africa. For me, this is a great shame because I have learnt from this trip, how important raising awareness of spinal injuries, is. To miss out on this great opportunity will also be very disappointing. 

Camping and Living: After a few directions, we found the Marang Hotel (from the Footprint guide) which was a lovely campsite with great facilities. We parked up strategically so that I would be in the shade the following day when I was resting up. As soon as we arrived, the team set up my tent and transferred me from my pressure relieving chair and into my bed. That evening, Kiko and Ben cooked up a lovely tuna pasta. 

General Interest: As soon as we had passed over the Botswana border we came across a large female elephant with her 3-4yr old calf, in the road. This was a great thrill because we hadn't seen any wildlife on our transit through Zambia.

05 April. Botswana, Francistown: Marang Hotel, camping

Author: Kiko Matthews
GPS: S21 11.966 E025 31.977 
Total Distance: 19, 799km

Weather: Hot and sunny 

Daily travel (route, road): We have planned to drive one day then rest up the following so as Col can do his routine and also to give his wounds a bit of healing time. Since this is the case, we stayed at the Hotel/camping ground. Chris, woody and myself went to town to do the usual but apart from that we didn't travel anywhere. 

Health and Team dynamics: Everyone seems to be in good spirits and trying to give Col ideas on the quickest and safest way to get him to Cape Town. Even though we all have our views about various issues, at the end of the day it is Col's decision and we will support him whatever he decides. We feed him the ideas, let him process all the information and then let him decide on what he thinks is best for him. 

Camping and Living: We are staying in quite a nice campsite. It's a Cresta Hotel (chain) situated next to a river that is currently quite dry and set amongst a wooded, grassy area - perfect for Col who has to lie down in his tent and so the shade provided by the trees is great. There is a swimming pool, 2 bars, restaurant and casino. (We decided to double all the money we have raised so far, on Black Jack!) The facilities for Col are great. 

We are having to take Col over to the toilets on his bed so as not to irritate his wounds on the push over there - it gets the other campers wondering what's going on, that's for sure! It's not everyday you see a guy being lifted over to the toilets on a huge travel, blow-up bed! 

After the routine, we had a very tasty meal of steak, chicken and salad with sweet potatoes. We certainly don't eat badly on this trip even though, I think I'm the only one who hasn't managed to loose weight! Not fair! 

General Interest: I would just like to say thank you very much to the hotel for giving us a discount and for being very helpful and friendly

Botswana, or more specifically where we are in Francistown, is like a completely different Africa from up North. It's clean, westernised and has all the amenities that we could need especially from a medical point of view. Col is currently on protein shakes to fatten him up and these are easily available here and not at an extortionate price either. There's a Hard Rock Cafe;, you can use Maestro in some of the banks (don't ever travel with an HSBC card because it won't work in the majority of countries since it's not Visa), there are big supermarkets selling most things, decent clothes shops, music shops and numerous South African fast food restaurants! It's only when you get out of the towns that you feel more like you are in Africa. With only a population of 1.8 mn (I think), there isn't a huge amount of life outside the towns.

06 April. Botswana, Francistown: Marang Hotel, camping

Author: Kiko Matthews
GPS: S21 11.966 E025 31.977 
Total Distance: 19, 799km

Weather: Hot and sunny 

Daily travel (route, road): Chrissy woke up at 5o'clock to do BiOptron on Col so that we could set off by 7.30. We had decided last night to see how the wounds were in the morning to make a final decision on travel but we were set to travel towards Gabarone and on to South Africa. The two wounds on Colin's buttocks are doing well with the cushion we have made but the third one gets a bit wet during showering and because the shower chair doesn't really help with regards to pressure on it, it has been evident that the wound looks worse straight after. It has been drying up over night and is good enough to travel on in the morning but we still have to make sure that it is ok. This morning it appeared that the silicon pad we had put on in the shower to protect it, had some how caused a very small blister. This only became evident in the morning and the decision was therefore to rest up a further 2 days just to help the blister go down a bit and not be irritated by the drive. 

Health and Team dynamics: As mentioned before, we have been slightly delayed for safety purposes (with regards to Cols body) due to a small blister that appeared next to his third wound (small scratch) caused by something during showering (possibly the silicon pad-it's a little more complicated than that but for diary purposes that will do!). 

Camping and Living: The day was spent doing the usual - swimming, e-mail, shop, chatting, eating, tidying. Beef Satay for dinner cooked by myself. (I must just point out that Woody, when the Doc was doing interviews, could only remember what we'd done in certain places, by the meal we had eaten in the evening!) Food is quite an important issue around the camp just in case no one had realised. Momma Matthews still has to ration these boys though otherwise we would have no money left in Cape Town! They still get their treats though which normally come out when I want one!

07 April. Botswana, Francistown

Author: Woody
Location: Marang Hotel, FrancisTown 
GPS: S21 11.916 E027 31.977 
Total Distance: 19,799km 

Author: Woody (and finished off by Kiko -cos he's too lazy to do it all!) 
Weather: Sunny 
Daily travel (route, road conditions): None except locally. 

Team (Dynamics, health): Everyone in tip-top condition. We decided that it would be better for Col to do his routine in the morning because it would give his 3rd wound a chance to dry out before the big drive tomorrow. We also had to develop a system whereby Col could do his routine and we would minimise the chances of irritating the small blister that had formed near the 3rd wound. Instead of dressing the 3rd wound we made a foam cushion to go above the usual shower cushion with a hole to take the pressure away from the problem area. In order to further reduce any chances of irritation Col also kept his shower time to a minimum. 

Camping and Living: Another quiet day spent around the campsite with Chris carrying out video interviews with the rest of the team. (Kiko writing from here) As mentioned above, we were back on the road tomorrow so the usual shopping for provisions and last minute, unsuccessful e-mail attempts were done, once again by myself (not going to miss having the responsibility of keeping 6 people fed! I did want 7 kids but I think I've changed my mind now!). It was happy hour at the bar (western influences obviously filtering though the developing world drinking community!) from 6-7 so we purchased a few beers and the returned to a delicious Thai Green curry cooked by Chrissy. We were planning on leaving at 7am the next morning so we all had quite early nights. The boys haven't been sleeping too well, I think because it is so squashed in their tent plus there is a lot of thinking going on at the moment. Ben and Woody sleep on the outside, while poor old Chris is stuck in the middle! Ben and Woody arent the most quiet or settled sleepers I know so it makes for an interesting night sleep if you're squashed between them (I haven't been in this situation, fortunately, but poor old Doc has!). 

General Interest: Whilst doing my interview with the Doc, it made me realise what an amazing thing we have done and what an incredible, 'once in a life time' experience I have been given. Yes, I've had a few moments when I've wanted to give up and get straight to Cape Town, but now, having got this far, I'm very glad I didn't. My brain works in great ways in that I block out the bad things that have happened and only manage to remember the good. When I look back at this experience in however many years time, I will know that I found it tough etc etc but I don't think I'll remember why. The beauty of the human brain! I'm sure we've all found it tough at times, Col especially, and must say, to everyone who reads these diaries, just how patient he is. He has spent something like 7 weeks of this trip lying on his back or side, relying on us to feed him and entertain him and he has never complained once! I know a few people who could take leaf out of his book

09 April. South Africa! The Wagon Wheel, Beaufort West

Author: Kiko Matthews
Date: 9th April 2006 
Location: The Wagon Wheel, Beaufort West, South Africa 
GPS: S32 20.067 E022 35.121 
Total Distance: 21,278 km 

Weather: Pleasant, sunny but cool at night 
Daily travel (route, road conditions): Originally we had planned to drive one day and then have a rest day. We hadn't covered as much ground yesterday as we had hoped, and the cushion we made has been so successful, that we drove today a total of about 700km. We arrived in Beaufort West, 490km from Cape Town in good time so that Chrissy and Col could do their routine. The scenery was fantastic and Woody says it's his favourite yet. I must say that I disagree but everyone has different tastes! The roads were great and we were managing to do 100km/hr regularly. However, with our hourly pressure relief stops, 700 km takes a little more than 7 hrs that it could. Not a problem though as there was no rush. The 7am start helped and we eventually arrived at about 4pm. 

Team (Dynamics, health): All fine. I'm in particularly good spirits and having had some quite difficult times, it's nice to be on this natural high. It's mad because some of us on the team have been working on this expedition for 3 years or more and now this is it. Arriving in Cape town has always just been in the future and now it's really very close. All the obstacles that we've come across along the way back in the UK and on the expedition, and we're nearly there! Phew! 

Camping and Living: The campsite was perfectly adequate and cheap (£1.90 per person). I made a phone call to Eckhard (one of the South Africans we met in Sudan) which was very successful because he very kindly said we could stay in his (well, his sister's, actually) beach house, just outside of Cape Town, for a week before the official finish - great news! He also has accommodation, car etc etc for me when I stay on after the expedition has finished. Not bad, hey? 

I cooked up a Chinese type vegetable stir-fry and we had a few local Castle beers. I must say that as much as I love cooking, I'm looking forward to only having to cook for 1 or 2 and not 6 (more like 8, the amount these boys eat) and cooking what I want. Woody keeps insisting on sausages and meat and I just want vegetables! Meat, meat and more meat!! Conflicting desires on the food front. 

General Interest: South Africa isn't really like the rest of the places we've been. From Sudan down, it's been getting gradually more and more developed and now we're as far south as possible and it's more like a slightly under developed, developed country. ATM's are everywhere, fast food restaurants, decent garages and fuel stops, good roads, all kinds of cars, it's clean, there are decent road signs, the lot. The only thing that is different from UK is the shanty towns and poverty you can see with regards to the people. The local black people aren't in traditional clothing but just the western style clothes that any of the whites wear. All the signs are in Afrikaans (the local language spoken by 50% of the white population) and English. The Dutch colonised South Africa back in the 1600's (I think) and bought over with them their workers and farmers etc. Eventually these workers broke free from their Dutch employers and the Afrikaans community was formed. This is why Dutch and Afrikaans is so similar to speak/understand. South Africa has quite an extensive history and it's quite complicated but amongst all this there are also the British, natives and the Indians. The British came over and eventually did their usual thing and tried to take over what the Afrikaaner's had and this was during the Boer War (1899 - 190?) and I think was only successful in annoying the Afrikaans people and killing some of them. The British eventually returned their independence to them and this was marked by the end of the war. The English speaking part of South Africa originates from the British who came there. Then there is also Zulu and other tribal languages also spoken by the locals. 

10 April. South Africa, Vermont, West Hermanus

Location: Eckhard's beach (nr Cape Town).

Author: Kiko Matthews
Date: 10th April 2006 
Location: Eckhard's beach house
GPS: S34 25.101, E019 09.138 
Total Distance: 21753km 

Weather: Pleasant, sunny, quite cold early on and by the time we had dropped to sea level it wasn't quite as cool at night as previously.

Daily travel (route, road conditions): Kind of our final day! Even though we still have to drive into Cape Town, we have really made it now! We set off at 7am again (which required Chrissy and Col to be up at 5am!) and drove through some spectacular mountainous scenery and big open plains. At around 11.30 we stopped at a garage because the boys (surprise, surprise) wanted some food and it had to be meat. This was our first sampling of a Steers burger (SA Macdonalds! They'd kill me if they read that) and whilst we were standing around the cars, just about to head off, an Audi A3 came careering towards our Land Rovers, and then jammed the brakes on! I thought we were about to be rammed but it turns out that it's our other SA mate, Dr. George (Eckhard's travelling mate). It was great to see him and bought back some good memories. Bit random to say the least that he happened to be around on the same road at the same time as us. He lives in Port Elizabeth as well so it's not even like the road we were on was one he�'d use regularly! Crazy small world. 

Team (Dynamics, health): All very excited and well. Col's wounds continue to heal well and one of the ones on his bottom is looking particularly good - great news! 

Camping and Living: The beach house has lived up to it's expectations. A delightful house with plenty of beds, a swimming pool set next to a BBQ area, in the garden and all fully furnished/equipped. Over the past 2 months everyone has been teasing me about Eckhard because we have been in contact with each other since they left us. However, now they're all thanking me for spending a huge amount on my phone bill and keeping in touch (still taking every opportunity possible to sneak in a sly comment as well!)!! That's friends for you I guess. Anyway, after unpacking everything, Woody Ben and I went to the shops to stock up for the week. I think everyone would agree that we have deserved a few drinks and so we stocked up well with cheap SA alcohol including a few bottles of champagne (well, fizzy SA wine). We popped the corks and had a bit of a 'cheers and well done' then proceeded to eat Woody's spag bol and drink some more. We were all in bed surprising early considering the occasion but I think the past couple of days of driving had warn everyone out a bit. 

General Interest: None really except that I think Colin and all of the team he so brilliantly picked (me included!) deserve a huge congratulations. We have worked excellently together as a team and I think we have done the Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust a huge amount of justice. We had a few teething problems towards the beginning, but with everyone learning from their mistakes, and making a real effort within the team, we have made it to the end together and still all smiling. Our telephone number is +27840781696 if people would like to send personal messages to Col or us. Thanks to everyone who reads this for all your support too - it has been fantastic having all your kind comments throughout the trip.

11 April. South Africa, Vermont

Author: Chrissy Prydun,
Date: 11th April 2006 
Location: Eckhard's beach house, Vermont, west of Hermanus, (nr Cape Town) South Africa 
GPS: S34 25.101, E019 09.138 
Total Distance: 21753km 

Weather: Sunny but not too hot! 
Daily travel (route, road conditions): None 

Team (Dynamics, health)/Camping and living: Great! We are all very excited about what we have accomplished, especially Col and how he has put his health on the line to do this trip. Fortunately our plan to feed Col up is still going strong and he is fighting fit. I continue to bang on about the importance of good nutrition and Woody is still on his egg campaign to feed Col up ! 

We got a surprise visit from Richard Pirouet one of the trustees who is staying in the area at the moment. Today we spent the day cleaning out the vehicles. Consequently the day was full of nostalgia and all the usual antics. 5 months on and we still haven't exhausted ways in which to entertain ourselves For example: Today Ben thought it would be funny to try and put me in the oven and shaved off his beloved handle bar moustache.

12 April. South Africa, Vermont: weeks rest

Auhor: Ben Matthews
Date: 12th April 2006 
Location: Eckhard's beach house, Vermont, west of Hermanus, (nr Cape Town) South Africa 
GPS: S34 25.101, E019 09.138 
Total Distance: 21753km

Weather: 
Really nice and sunny, probably about 23'C. 

Daily travel (route, road conditions): 
Kiks and I did a quick run down to the local shops in Hermanus to pick up supplies so that we could entertain guests! Bit of a long winded way to town as I wanted to get in the sea first, eventually we found a track that got us close enough. Stuck my head in and then quickly pulled him back out, 'pretty fresh' is an understatement. Due to prevailing winds the waters around here are warmer during the winter than they are in summer months! Anyway it was great to have an exceptionally quick dip, since the last time we saw a sea was about the 27th November; the Med just before we turned south for Cairo. 

South Africa's infrastructure and amenities are pretty good, so much so it no longer really feels that we are in Africa; well your stereotypical one that is. However considering we have been roughing it for so long and the need for us all to freshen/rest up before the big finale, we couldn't probably ask for a better place. 

Team (Dynamics, health): 
All very well and on tip top form! Big Col is doing great and every day is positively progressive with regards to his physical condition. It's a shame that his mental health is suffering (only joking, he's always been a little mmmmmmmmad). Morale around the camp is excellent, as now most of the end of trip chores are complete such as cleaning and sorting expedition kit and vehicles. Also we had a little visit from some more familiar faces, well more familiar to the Doc as it was his Mum and Pete and the rest of us had only met them once before. However it really did start to give the sense that things were coming to an end and that Cape Town isn't far away. I think Col might have been a little reflective, since he's been planning and organising this amazing adventure for so long and the end is so close; I suppose he'll just have to conjure up a new mission. Not being a weirdo but I'd like to say that he should feel massively proud with himself for what he has achieved and at a fairly large personal cost, a monumental effort. My friend you are an inspiration for sure and I might allow you to have a photo hung in my hall of fame, when I move out of my van into a house that is. 

Camping and Living: 
Still in the beach house resting up, very kindly lent out to us by Eckhard. We got Col out onto the balcony today to soak up some sunshine therapy, if anything it will help with his spectacular sock marks. 

Living like kings, very lucky, very nice, much appreciated. Definitely don't miss veg curry!!!!!! The cost of living here (shopping) is cheaper than back home so the meat is flowing into our bellies. 

General Interest: 
The sea is cold!

16 April. South Africa, Vermont

Location: Eckhard's beach house, Vermont, west of Hermanus, (nr Cape Town) South Africa

GPS: S34 25.101, E019 09.138 
Total Distance: 21753km 
Author: Ben Matthews 

Weather: 
Really nice and sunny, probably about 23'C. 

Daily travel (route, road conditions): 
Woody and myself down to the local garage to fill up the Wagons for the final push to Cape Town. 

Team (Dynamics, health): 
The team are all very well including Col; again he continues to improve physically! 

Camping and Living: 
As we have driven for 163 days, the team thought that it would be a good idea to get an early night; all very excited looking forward to arriving and seeing some familiar faces.

17 April. South Africa, Cape Town: arrives at the End: Signal Hill

Author: Colin Javens 

Weather: A cold autumn day 

Daily travel (route, road conditions): It was out final morning in Hermanus 100km away from Cape Town. The team woke early and one by one came into my room to wish me good morning dressed in their Driving Home Gear and looking the smartest I saw them look for a long while. I could almost feel the excitement building in the house on this special, final day's drive to Cape Town. We left at midday after the guys had lifted me out to the vehicle and hoisted me into the driving position to depart on a drizzly morning. Our destination for the day was Signal Hill where we were to be eagerly met by Woody's mother (Old Mother Wood), Susan and Peter (Chris' parents) and their friends, Jo and Caroline, Richard and Sheelagh Pirouet and Claire Taylor (our South African PR agent). Being a bank holiday the momentum was drawn to a slow 20km per hour as we came upon a long line of traffic - our first traffic jam since the last one since the winding road around the Amalfi coast, at Sorrento, Italy. It soon became apparent that we were not going to make our destination at 3pm as scheduled. Just before we reached Cape Town we had to climb a small mountain range and as we reached the top we came over a pass called Sir Lowry's Pass. Below us and into the distance through the low cloud we could just make out False bay and the cape flats with all the squatter settlements. As we wound down the hairpin road clouds began to part and the sun begin to shine through. As we continued I could feel the excitement in the two vehicles rising and rising. Unfortunately we were unable to see the famous Table top mountain. As we neared it however, clouds lifted ever so slightly to reveal the saddle and signal hill. After a quick fuel and sandwich pit-stop we drove up the windy road and as we reached the top of signal hill we saw Caroline and Jo on either side holding a banner between their hands. As we drove through the ribbon breaking it we had finally made it. It was a fantastic feeling to have driven half way across the road and to be met so warmly by friends and family who had made an incredible effort to welcome us and brought champagne! I must take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making my dream come true! 

Team (Dynamics, health): 
I can quite honestly say that when we arrived I noticed first of all a quiet tone over the expedition team and I think that we all realised that during the first few minutes of meeting our friends and family, it really hit home (like the cork I shot from the champagne bottle that hit Ben square between the eyes) exactly what we had achieved over the previous five months. 

Camping and Living: 
Staying at the hospitable and very friendly Backpackers Hostel in the centre of Cape Town. 

General Interest: 
Its very interesting; the last time the expedition team and I set our sights upon an expanse of water as wet as what we were currently looking at was the Mediterranean off the Egyptian coast, before heading south on the traditional Cairo to Cape Town route. 

--- 

At 3.45pm he drove up to the tip of Signal Hill in Cape Town to be welcomed by Caroline and Jo, the project managers, Richard Pirouet (Charity Trustee) and his wife, and several parents and supporters. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the team...more celebrations and events are planned over the next few days and we will be updating the diary soon.

18 April. South Africa: CAPE TOWN

Author: Colin Javens

In contrast to the previous days drive the sun was absolutely blazing through my window. Unfortunately as I still needed to rest up to help the ongoing healing process it meant that I'd have to stay in bed for the day. On the plus side Claire Taylor from Fleishman Hillard PR agency had organised several media interviews ranging from newspapers - the Cape Argus, 4x4 magazines to radio interviews with Highveld Radio. I also spoke to BBC Three Counties back in the UK. 

That evening we had a visit from Ari Seirlis from QASA (QuadPara Association of South Africa). QASA assist Paraplegics and quadriplegics by providing a range of highly specialised support services to encourage their rehabilitation, community integration and independence. They run several self help centres around South Africa where their members live with minimal assistance and in the most independent way possible. They also run several awareness raising campaigns and as Ari said they are very keen to promote prevention through education. It was very nice to meet him and we could see he was very passionate about the cause he represented. 

The team ended the night with a braii and a few beers.

19 April. Cape Town: Table Mountain celebrations

Author: Chrissy Prydun
Date: 19th April 2006 
Location: Table Mountain and Price Water Coopers offices, Cape Town 

Weather: A gorgeous sunny wind free day. 

After a day of rest in bed (well you couldn't say it was exactly relaxing for Col what with the press coming to visit him all day) it was time for Col to get up for a visit to the top of Table Mountain. We honestly couldn't have asked for better weather considering that when we arrived in Cape Town two days earlier it was freezing with gale force winds blowing. Our expedition team and project managers were met by an entourage of press, members of QASA, and other wheelchair users who had heard of Col's epic adventure. Patron of the Colin Javens Trust (Ex-Springbok captain and coach of the South African Rugby team) Morne du Plessis was present as was Trustee Richard Pirouet, who was back with his wife Sheelagh and Claire Taylor our South African PR agent. It was quite amusing to see Col sitting in the sun talking to the people who had come to meet him while he sat on what must have looked like the most unusual model of wheelchair: the racing style lopsided wheel-less driver's seat we had removed from the car that couldn't be stood upright without someone holding it up. I am sure people were perplexed as to how Col managed to drive from London to Cape Town with such hi tech equipment yet not afford a decent wheelchair! 

Well as you know we had decided to hoist the recently modified drivers seat out of the car and the boys graciously volunteered to carry Col around in it to minimise the risk on Col's sores that would come from sitting on his normal hole-less wheelchair. Considering half the team had hangovers and the sun blazing wasn't helping the boys, they did a great job of carrying Col up to the Cable Car and around the mountain while I had the minor role of lifting Col's legs in the air! Richard Pirouet got in on the action too, helping us to huff and puff Col around the place but it was well worth the effort. To see Col's face atop of Table Mountain - having been laid up for so long and considering all the sacrifices to his health he had made to get this far - was something else! 

On our way up to the top there was something of a shamozal in the cable car as a wheelchair caught on the side of the rotating wall continued to drag along and collide with other wheelchairs and feet alongside the glass of our very crowded car. My vivid imagination momentarily pictured a cliffhanger storyline emanating from this fiasco with all the wheelchair users entangled and suspended off a single cable in unison, with the car itself collapsing under the pressure. Fortunately this never eventuated! When we got to the top Col was immediately interviewed for the press who also interviewed Morne du Plessis and head of QASA Ari Seirlis. After his brush with fame a few of us sat around to soak up the views and chat to wheelchair rugby players. From here there was a formal arrival ceremony put on with some moving speeches from Col, Ari, Morne and Richard to boot. I think it really hit home what the team and more importantly Col had achieved in these moments. 

After some more time spent soaking up the incredible views, we were off to Price Waterhouse Coopers for a reception put on by a paraplegic employee of PWC -Aleisha. Ari, Colin and Richard spoke at the function and we were able to play the 20minute promo DVD that had been put together from footage taken by the Doc to promote our trip. It was quite emotional watching the DVD with backround African Music highlighting a handful of nostalgic moments from our trip and a lot of images of the cars driving through beautiful scenery we had seen on our trip. The night before we had played the DVD to a big group of backpackers and silenced the typically rowdy hostel we were currently staying at. The staff were so moved they decided to offer us accommodation at the hostel for the duration of our stay for free! Much thanks from all the team. 

After the reception the forever ravenous expedition team contributed to demolishing the hors deurve platters being passed around and it was a chance for us to speak to some of the wheelchair users present at the function. I chatted to three in particular Vernon, Anthony and Conrad about their spinal injury who in addition to Ari enlightened me on life in South Africa for a wheelchair user. 

In South Africa there is little government support and terrible amenities for wheelchair users (such as inaccessible public transport facilities). What�s more in rural areas the shocking life expectancy for spinal cord injuries is less than a year due to lack of rehabilitation facilities and education. Before this trip I never really envisioned a Spinal Injury as a life threatening affliction, but having visited KASI, KPO and having met people from QASA I can now understand that something like a pressure sore or Urinary Tract Infection (common in paralysed people) could kill an individual if left unchecked. This is where QASA is attempting to step in. They provide a range of highly specialised support services to encourage the rehabilitation, community integration and independence of wheelchair users be it by financial, educational or psychological means. There list of initiatives is endless and I was very impressed by the systems they have in place to support wheelchair users. What's more they encourage their members to be independent by initially providing them with skills (e.g. teaching them how to drive an adapted vehicle), education (e.g. providing scholarships for wheelchair users to encourage them to get a University Education with limited funds) and the independence (e.g. by running several self help centres where wheelchair users can live in an independent way with minimal assistance) to do so. The organisation is currently 35% self sufficient and is likely to increase through some of their business initiatives which are helping to fund QASA. I was blown away by Ari's speech enlightening us on all aspects of QASA in lieu of a lack of government support. Visit http://www.qasa.co.za for more information. 

After the reception, dinner and drinks we all gathered in the bar to watch Col's debut appearance on South African television, squealing with delight like a group of teenage fan's as he appeared on the TV. As we left the roller door was closing so Kiko and I who were the last to run out attempted to do a commando role style evacuation. We laughed hysterically when Kiko skidded and slid out the door on her side. A very elegant style departure, testament to our expedition team, the classy bunch of individuals that we are! 

General Interest: Since having arrived in Cape Town we anticipated that the worst of our trip was over in terms of security and safety. On this expedition we have driven through some notoriously dangerous areas renowned for bandits and car jackings and have even all had a lapse in memory when it comes to locking car doors, keeping valuables hidden etc. Amazingly and gratefully though we had passed through these areas unscathed and had not had anything robbed (I am currently hitting some wood very hard) to date. Strange it is that within the past three days we have had two scares. The first happened when Woody went for an outing to one of the local pubs with some people he had met at the hostel and was mugged at knife point on the way home. He had money and a phone in one of his pockets but luckily producing a wad of tissues, claiming this was all he had and telling his offenders to depart in a less than charming manner which managed to discourage them. He arrived back at the hostel thankfully in one piece, a little bit shaken but in keeping with woody's matter of fact approach and hardy attitude, not overly stirred. Unfortunately one of the guys he was with had his mobile and money stolen but amazingly woody was never searched. Two days after this incident and the Defender was broken into. The thief had broken into the back window (whilst Ben was sleeping in the roof tent outside our hostel in the car park) when the local security guard spotted the thief with one of our sleeping bags and some other stuff in his hand and yelled at him to stop. The thief dropped the stash and made a run for it. In the end the whole event became nothing more than a nusicance of filling insurance claims and fixing broken windows but it reminded us that no matter where you are we need to be on the ball! 

20 April. South Africa, Cape Town: Cape Point Celebrations

Author: Ben Matthews
Location: Cape Town to Cape Point 
Total Distance: 22014km

Weather: 
Another beautiful day with temperatures around 28'C with only the occasional cloud, on all accounts from the locals; we have been very lucky over the past two days to have experienced two of S.A's best sites in such good conditions. 

Daily travel (route, road conditions): 
I suppose really today was our final truck - all the way to the most South West tip of Africa, the end off a journey that has taken in 12 countries; on which we entered Africa at its most Northern port - Tunis, Tunisia, clocking up over 22000km. What a day it was too, I think that it was quite fitting for us guys to end our 'trucking trip' amongst a convoy of Land Rovers, supporters and friends slowly cruising spectacular coastline south, from Cape Town to Cape Hope. 

The convoy all met up at Signal Hill car park (the venue for our arrival reception on the 17th) at 10am, the convoy consisted of 7 Land Rovers including ours and 3 cars. All the others Land Rovers were owned by S.A locals who very kindly and enthusiastically turned up to help us see in the end to our monster truck. By the time we had all finished introductions to new friends and briefed everyone on the intended route a good hour had already passed. So it was gone 11am before we set off with what was quite an impressive snake of Land Rovers on a 140km loop. 

Our route was fairly simple - we had decided to cruise down the West coast of the Cape peninsula to Cape Hope, taking in Spectacular Ocean and mountain views as we passed Table Mountain and its 12 apostles, hugging the cliffs of Chapman's Peak and passing brilliantly white beaches, all with the massive Atlantic Ocean to our right. After stopping a few times to appreciate the views and receiving a little local knowledge we eventually arrived as far south as we could possibly drive, parking up only a stones throws from the Sea. Of course a few celebratory ales and polony sandwiches were passed out and even a few of the expedition team took a dunking into some pretty chilly waters to mark the occasion. After a team photo the convoy departed and we were left to truck back up to Cape Town via the West coast and False Bay. 

It had been an awesome final truck; if you haven't been to Cape Town then you're missing a real treat!!!!!!!!!!! 

Team (Dynamics, health): 
Absolutely brilliant, all very chuffed with our achievement and feeling massively appreciative all the support that we have received before and throughout this remarkable adventure, without this support today wouldn't have been possible. 

All are in good condition! 

Camping and Living: 
Still at the Backpack and celebrating hard!

21 April.South Africa, Cape Town: Farewell

Author: Chrissy Prydun,
Date: 21st April 2006 
Location: Cape Town 
Total Distance: 22014km 

Weather: Remarkably similar to UK drizzle! 

Team: (Dynamics/Health) 

Even though I am writing this diary entry on the 21st April, what I have written below is something I wrote in the car on 8th April as we travelled from Vryburg to Beaufort West in South Africa. Things had been a little tense in the last week regarding how far and how quickly we should drive from Francistown to Cape Town to benefit Col's pressure sores and a host of other factors and I couldn't think of what else to do but to write about what I thought was important and positive at the end of the day because it seemed like nothing was getting resolved and people weren't happy all in the week which mattered the most. In the end it was all fine and we made it through the kerfuffle and onto Cape Town as we thought we would and are all getting along fine again! I intended to read it to the team, but I didn't think I needed to as things more or less resolved themselves. I will show them one day soon though. Nonetheless I thought it would be something you might want to read. We met up with Chris' mum and stepdad Peter today and one of the things that struck Peter, an avid reader of our diaries was the seeming lack of controversy on our trip. He thought that things ran a little too smoothly. I believe that there were obstacles to be faced and a lot of hiccups and teething problems but the reason we got through them was because everyone on this expedition whether they claim to be or not are all very positive, have a fantastic sense of humour and with this attitude in mind, problems just didn't seem to phase the spirit. I much prefer writing about amusing anecdotes than really long winded sentimental drivel, but here it is anyway - so bear with me! 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Dear Kiko, Doc, Ben, Woody and Col, 

As I sit here on the penultimate leg to Cape Town I have many thoughts racing through my head. I am hopeless at saying what I want to say without waffling on and going off on a tangent so I feel it's best to get my thoughts down on pc to minimise the ranting! I realise that what I am about to say still requires some attention span and hopefully I won't bore you to death with sentimentality but I would appreciate it if you could listen because my gut instinct tells me to read this to you all. I successfully held back from intervening and saying more last night but despite my calm exterior, inside I was going crazy and I have never been one for keeping things bottled up and even if this seems blatantly obvious, completely unnecessary or perhaps too late I feel compelled to tell you, yet I realise after today things will be ok, still I thought I'd say it all the same. 

I know you can't force feelings and things are meant to be as they are meant to be, none of this lets play happy families. But I find it very disheartening that on our final leg to reach our goal and realise Col's dream, that things have recently been tense and although repaired I still sensed an undercurrent of tension and the beginnings of apathy. Ironically, it all stems from a noble cause and common desire to want what's best for Col, to get him to Cape Town in the best condition possible. I believe it's a recipe of conflicting opinions about what are the best way's to do so mixed with poor communication and misunderstanding that have contributed to this cause. Remarkably though it's taken five months to get to this stage and it's no wonder it comes now in what seems like our greatest challenge of the entire expedition. 

Controversy sells and our relatively peaceful expedition environment to date may not be ideal for promoting Col's story, but hey it's still amazing that we have stuck together and defied many of the onlooker's prediction's that the trip might end with a fall out and some juicy cat fights! Sorry boys, Kiko and I are adamant that this includes mud wrestling too. 

I am proud of everyone's contribution in keeping the team dynamics flowing so well because we are very different individuals and quite often do have conflicting opinions about how best to do things. This trip has made me realise that of course arguing and friction are both normal- but not inevitable just because you are spending long periods of time together in cramped conditions. The formula for controversy is always there and it's not just about biting tongues either. It's the way you handle things that prevents big scale disputes and it's the way you guys have all handled things coupled with an awesome sense of humour that have made this trip such a success. And it's not just about compromising and putting on a brave face either or pretending things are easy when they're not. It's the ability to see the bigger picture and ascertain that one's way may indeed be the most efficient, easy and plausible way, but this doesn't always mean it's the right or intended way. As the Doc always says sometimes obstacles must be overcome and lesson's learnt the hard way and no one is in a better position to learn one's lesson then oneself. 

Sometimes the hard way ends up being the most enjoyable way through the animation it brings. Especially you woody I know how much you love stirring up trouble by mentioning that tea chest! It all reminds me of a conversation I had with Kiko and the Doc on the Kenyan border about climbing mountains, Yes you can climb the mountain the long ridiculous way and get lost and faff around and do risky or stupid things that will attract cannibals or you can climb it quickly and resourcefully but then miss out on some of the scenery and action en route like monkey's shagging or the excitement of running away from the cannibals etc. Either way you get to the top of the mountain but the difference is in the journey. As we all know too well half the fun is in the journey having embarked on a 5 month voyage and sometimes when things work too easily, some of the excitement and adventure are taken away. I think everyone on this trip seems to crave a good challenge whether you first knew it or not. 

Theres probably no point in bringing up all the malarkey about who might be right and wrong regarding Col's health so I won't especially that things are now done and dusted. In the same token I am not trying to act superior and tell you all this as though you haven't thought of it yourselves. I don't expect much to change and I know that I know and we all know that everything will be fine in the end and Col's arse albeit slightly out of shape will make it to Cape Town no worries. It's just that I have often found myself in a situation where I don't appreciate something until it's gone or take something for granted and I don't want to make that mistake anymore so want to tell you how you all make me feel and how much I cherish your friendship. 

Thank you Kiko for your frank and honest approach and your chatterboxing skills. Yesterday you held things together very nicely by happily chatting away and taking our minds off things. It makes me realise more than ever how invaluable a resource you are to our team and I'm glad you got the gutz to stick out the expedition and stay on board despite your thoughts about leaving three weeks prior. You see you too were meant to be here for a reason and I'm going to miss your mothering ways, your understated generosity, crazy scenario brainstorming and intriguing mind, delicious and economical meals, sense of humour and your ability to put your foot in your mouth in it, which paradoxically often makes things less akward than more. I look forward to our Thelma and louise-esque girls on tour tour with Vanessa. 

Doc, I also know you had the balls to apologise yesterday but my hunch tells me that there is still a lot on your mind. In fact half the effort you put into this expedition begins when we go to bed, well when you're not concentrating your efforts on annihilating half of Zambia's population - joke. All the brainstorming on Col's behalf, post expedition planning and writing the book are tasks I think you deserve credit for. You look out for us with genuine concern and have acted like our mentor offering a much appreciated ear for all of us to talk to. I think you've done an excellent job despite your concerns in getting us all to Cape Town alive and in one piece. Inspite of my sleep deprived, blond haired way's which I know must drive you a bit mad at best I am going to miss giving you shit, chucking cigarettes in sinks with you and our all to rare deep and meaningful late night chat's. I look forward to coming and crashing my nit free arse on your couch or floor whenever I am in the hood and latte-ing it up with you in London. 

Ben, sorry I beg your pardon, Snowflake how do I begin to thank you for your kindness. Your antics and enthusiasm make me laugh a lot and the expedition would be a hell of a lot more ordinary without your energy and party pants. Your genuine loyalty to Col and the expedition are touching. Yeah you big pansy I thought that adjective would appeal to you, but really it takes a lot of character to be dumped by your fiance; on an expedition and keep going for the sake of your best mate and the purpose of this expedition. Your extra help with Col has also been appreciated, washing clothes with such enjoyment, not taking short cuts and taking the time to do things right like brewing the ultimate cup of tea. I am going to miss playing Frisbee with you like we are the kids who were always picked last for sports, foam cock fights and our shopping trip gossip sessions and yes I am going to take you up on that offer to go rock climbing whenever we get a chance. 

Woody and Col, jointly can I say thank you for having the sense of humour necessary to be dragged into the bizaare world of Chrissy Prydun and thank you for putting up with my indecisive high-school like decision making to date. It's just difficult to put in to words how I feel about you both, as irritating as it makes your lives and I hope my sincere affection towards you both is testament to that. I'm just sorry things couldn't be more straightforward but as Kiko always says 'you can't help how you feel'. What will be will be. 

Woody thanks for all the subtle, little things you do that upon first glance might not be noticed. I am in awe of your humble behind the scene efforts, resilient attitude and no bullshit approach to life. I am going to miss your shit stirring, riding on the roof of Landys with you, swimming across rivers and drum jamming with you and always making sure I serve you food and cups of tea last to drive your appetite insane. I look forward to watching Australia thrash England at some miscellaneous sport in the local pub at Daventry upon my return and that thai meal you owe me, well I can take that off your debts. 

Col your selfless nature, patience and courage may sound cliche; but they are rare qualities in this world. I like the fact you think you have a part of your brain missing which that can make you grin inanely in the most miserable of situations. The ability to see the good in everything never ceases to amaze me and it's true, your jokes are terrible but they make me laugh. Thank you for having the gutz to trust me and take me on board in such an intimate role as carer having only met me briefly. I shall miss our nonsensical late night chats and arm wrestle competition and I look forward to spending a week or so with you in the Lugg until your replacement carer arrives rating all the toilet experiences in Africa from best to worst. 

Before you fall asleep I want to say a big thank you for listening. It's all been said before but I am still so lucky and grateful for the opportunity I've been given to be here and I want you to know it. This is by far the best travelling experience I've ever had. It's been hillarious and eye-opening to say the least. I feel lucky to have had you guys to travel with. I'm looking forward to our last weeks together even though it's probably time to go our own ways. I hope there are more moments like the other riotous night when we are all crammed in the tent together but if not I have a truckload of great memories to mull over when we depart. Today's scenery was an absolute bonus and hopefully sneak preview of more good news to come. Wow, some of what I've written sounds really pants and is so cheesy but if the world explodes tomorrow I'm glad you know all of this. Habibi guys!

24 April. South Africa, Cape Town

The arrival in Cape Town by Richard Pirouet - Charity Trustee

The last few days have made such an impression on all who have witnessed them that I owe it to everyone else involved in the project to report to you on them. 

Sheelah and I had always intended to have a few days holiday in Hermanus (a beach resort about 100 miles out of Cape Town) before meeting up with Colin and his team as they arrived in Cape Town. It was only on our day of departure that we discovered that they were there too! 

Given the difficulties they were facing, they had decided to 'race' down to the Cape from Zambia in about four days and give Colin a whole week of rest before the actual arrival. So we called on them the day we arrived and three things were immediately apparent: 

1. Colin was in need of the rest, mainly because of the burns and sores. 

2. Colin was as up beat as ever and clearly exhilarated by what had been achieved. 

3. The whole team were in great spirits. They had gelled and clearly had had an amazing time. Not only were they still talking to each other, they were all smiling! 

We saw them three times in all during those days and those first impressions just got stronger. 

Fast forward to Monday 17 April and a small band of supporters (Caroline, Jo, Chris's parents, Woody's mum and the two of us) are all standing on Signal Hill in the lee of Table Mountain at the appointed arrival time of 3 o'clock. It is a grey day and there is a howling South Easter that is threatening to blow us off the top of the hill. Then we get a text to say that they are stuck in the bank holiday traffic returning to Cape Town. An hour later they get there and the sun comes out for the first time for two days. Lots of jokes about being one hour late after x000 miles but they are all so excited about being there and Colin's face in particular was a sight for all to see. 

That evening there was a celebration party at the hostel where they were staying. Sheelah and I left early and there are no reports on what happened later (and nor will there be!). 

On Tuesday, Colin had a day of rest interrupted by press interviews but, in the evening, they saw for the first time the DVD of highlights of the first half of the trip. This was shown in the hostel and what had been a very noisy bar the previous night suddenly fell silent. By the end of it, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The owner of the hostel immediately cancelled all the accommodation bills for the whole team. 

Everyone who has visited Cape Town will know that organizing a trip up Table Mountain a month ahead is rather like planning a barbecue in advance in the middle of the English summer. So, on the Wednesday, we all opened our curtains with some trepidation. But we needn't have worried. Not a breath of wind, not a cloud in the sky and the sun again shone on the righteous. Chris was worried about Colin being in a wheel chair for too long that day but the team were not to be put off by that. He sat in his specially adapted seat and they simply carried him round everywhere. 

At the foot of the cable car, we met up with our patron, Morne Du Plessis, Ari, the head of QASA who had flown down from Durban for the day, and ten of his other wheelchair bound members. Colin was carried to the cable car and up we all went. While everyone was being wowed by the spectacular views, my mobile phone rang and guess who it was, Derek. So Colin spoke to him from the top of the mountain. 

We had a brief but emotional ceremony with inspirational speeches by Ari, Morne and Colin and, to my mind, that was the moment when the team, Caroline and Jo, and, of course, Colin, really could say 'We've done it'. I heard those words several times in the next few minutes. 

Down the mountain, a quick change and we all had to rush over to a reception at the offices of PwC hosted by a wheelchair bound member of their staff. Colin had to put on his 'one good shirt' but we let him off the tie and he talked the assembled gathering through the DVD. 

That night, Colin was on the national TV news, including the interview that we had seen recorded on Table Mountain. 

Thursday, another beautiful day, we met at Signal Hill and were joined by other Landrover junkies for a ceremonial drive to Cape Point. Before Colin arrived, there was lots of talk about carburettors, fuel pumps etc but, as soon as he arrived, they were all looking at his vehicle and trying to comprehend just what had been achieved over the last five months. My bit of the story ends here, as I had to wave them off on the drive and then get on to a plane for my return journey. 

All in all it was a marvellous few days that Sheelah and I would not have missed for the world. Caroline, Jo and our PR lady, Claire did a great job with all the arrangements. It was an absolute privilege to see Ben, Woody, Chris, Chrissy and Kiko in action and to see how their main focus was always on Colin. 

But there was never any doubt as to who was the star of the show.

27 April.

Final but one entry

Final entry from the Project Managers 

Both Jo and I are just off the plane from Cape Town early this morning. We were so pleased to be able to be there to welcome Colin and the team to Cape Town and to celebrate their achievement with them. Being together and hearing their stories first hand (rather than via text or satellite phone as we had been) makes it all so much more real and to see their raw emotions of what they have all seen and experienced en route. It really is an amazing achievement and they all worked so hard together as a team to achieve it. 

Since the final trip to Cape Point we have loaded the expedition vehicles onto containers. These set sail on Thursday back to the UK where we will be selling the Defender (if anyone is interested?!) and keeping the Discovery for motivational and lecture tours around the UK. We went to speak at the Sea Point Lions Club to set up a partnership with Hereford Lions Club who supported us from the UK, and to link them with the work of QASA. We were fortunate to be invited for a tour of South African Parliament and to have lunch with Vincent Gore MP who is leading disability issues in South Africa. Colin has been admitted to Cape Town Medi Clinic for a check up and to receive some treatment for his burns - and he will be flying back to the UK this Saturday with Chrissy. Ben, Woody and Chris are having a few days more in Cape Town and are back next week and Kiko has decided to stay in Cape Town for the summer. So whilst it really is the end of the trip, it is just the beginning of Colin's work in the UK raising further funds and awareness, and motivating other people to achieve great things. 

Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed reading and following the Driving Home team's progress so closely over the last 6 months. Your support has been fantastic. If you do not already receive the monthly newsletters please do send an email ( caroline@drivinghome.co.uk ) and I will be able to keep you updated with Colin's work and the work of The Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust - there is plenty still to come! 

A date for the diary. Colin will be talking about his Driving Home expedition - the challenges and achievements, accompanied by stunning photos at the Royal Geographical Society, London on Wednesday 13th September 7pm. Please put the date in your diary now. More information will follow in the newsletter and on the website in due course. 

In a few days time we will have a final diary entry from Colin summing up his thoughts on this amazing experience, but in the meantime we would like to thank you again for all your kind support, As Ari Seirlis (head of QASA) said to Colin, 'you have done the easy part, now the challenge is to use that achievement and experience to raise awareness of spinal injury and to raise funds towards the welfare of the spinal injured and research into spinal cord repair'. We hope you will continue to support us the challenges to come. 

Caroline and Jo 
UK Project Managers 

30 April. Colin's final reflections

Coming from a man who says very little to sum up his emotions, it's quite hard to put into words exactly how I feel about the last 18months of my life. What I can describe to you are some of the feelings that hit me when we were carrying out the most challenging and exciting part of the expedition, probably the highlight of the 5 1/2 months for me. 

It was our first day into Kenya and what lay ahead definitely was the most challenging part of our route, not only were we about to encounter roads in the worst possible condition but we were also really acutely aware of the dangerous situation we had put ourselves in, due to the amount of Shifta Bandits in the area. For me, unable to move from the shoulders down, it was a fantastic feeling that I was still able to attempt such a feat. 

Looking back on it, that day's drive was by far the hardest we did. After breaking my steering it meant that we could only drive at 15mph over corrugated roads, a whole 13hours continuously to Marsabit. It wasn't just the feeling of me being able to drive on the roads with my team but it was the feeling of being able to be in one of the most remote regions of the world, with nobody in sight for miles, just a wide open horizon and up above a massive African sky. The other great feeling for me was that when I had my accident in 2000, I'd always had a considerable urge to go back to Kenya. Six years later with three years of planning and 60 odd days on the road, I'd finally made it back! 

The next day when we had to drive over a lava flow it was again quite intense. It felt like we were entering a world that nobody had ever set foot on before and again it hit me how amazing it was that I actually had the ability to do this! After we'd driven for half a day on the rocky terrain, we dropped over an escartment that ended up representing the end of the lava flow and down onto the remnants of what seemed like an extensive dry lake bed, which in fact marked the start of the Chalbi desert. We ended that day, driving in tracks with dust blazing behind us. I remembered where we had stopped. The team were on an incredible high. As the sun was going down, the strong wind that blew in our face felt like it was coming from a hair dryer. We ate veggie curry (again!) that night, we laughed a lot and slept out underneath the stars with plenty of shooting stars to be seen. Even though we hadn't seen anybody all day and we were in the middle of a desert, Ben still armed all of the team with a machetti each with encouraging words of how to use them, in case we were attacked in the night. 

Thankfully, we never did encounter any bandits that night and eventually made it out of the Chalbi desert the next day even though the tracks weren't marked clearly on the maps and as such navigation was very tough going. Luckily Ben's phenomenal navigating skills lead us to safety. However, I always expected that the expedition would be tough, especially with a spinal injury. I knew that I wouldn't have access to accessible facilities like I was used to from home. Luckily we'd taken time to choose the right equipment (like a collapsible shower chair and side tent awning that could double as a private toilet) to enable me to adapt to any facility we came across. Again, the difficulty of inaccessibility was overcome thanks to the help of the expedition team. I can't remember the amount of times the team would have to lift me onto a long drop toilet and then squeeze out past me alongside shit-stained walls! I suppose I also expected that the facilities wouldn't be that great and then prepared myself mentally for that. I think the longest I went for without a shower was a smelly 2 1/2 weeks because Woody had regretted to tell me that the portable heat-exchange shower had already been hooked up to the car! 

When it came to the driving, I knew that I would be able to complete the whole journey myself. However, on several occasions, once in Sudan, once in Kenya and on the way to Lake Tanganika in Zambia, I surprised myself when I managed to continue to drive on some very difficult terrain. 

Having arrived back in the UK yesterday, it's strange to think after suffering a spinal injury in 2000, that the last 18 months have been some of the best of my life. Looking back at the expedition, I can pick out some of what I think our main achievements: 

- We successfully visited three projects KPO (Nairobi), KASI (Moshi) and Disicare (Lusaka), considering I had to rest up during some of this time. 
- We all learnt a great deal about spinal injuries in Africa and how people almost have to have an added strength to deal with their problems their. I was also inspired by several of the people that we met e.g. Rocky Narangha in Nairobi - a quadraplegic who had successfully set up Nairobi�s largest driving school, an IT college and a big BP petrol station on the way out of Nairobi; Priscilla from Moshi - a C4 paraplegic lady in her 60's who had her accident in 1984. She left hospital three years later to go home to her small farm plot where she has not left since. She has nothing there, no books, no television, no electricity, yet she has an incredibly strong heart and mind; Vanessa Harhoff from Zambia - a C5 24 year old quadraplegic. Her strength and humour are an inspiration to anyone. Her artwork has also definitely inspired me to have a go when I go home. 
- My personal achievements: learning to take off and put on my own t-shirt which I'd never done since my accident; learning to float and do backstroke unaided in water (Zambia's Shiwa Ngandy hot springs) for the first time. 
- We successfully adapted and equipped two Landrovers to complete such a hard journey. 
- The last month of the expedition felt like a corporate training session when the team had to devise a way of preventing anymore breakdown to the skin areas of my bum. I was really impressed how six different minds worked together to find several different solutions. e.g. cutting a whole in my driver's seat and designing a pressure relieving ring to go on top of that; designing a pressure relieving dressing to prevent anymore breakdown and adapting the cushion on my shower chair 
- Team dynamics: The team have worked so well together, that we haven't had a single falling out during the whole trip. 

Once again as I write this, I realise how important the people around me have been in making this expedition a success. Everybody seems to ask us whether we've had arguments along the way. The simple answer to that is no. It's been mentioned before, but the driving home team really seem to handle every problem or setback with a certain type of humour which helps to relieve the situation and not to blow it out of proportion. I can quite honestly say that these guys are very special. 

It became apparent to me as I was loaded into the back of the discovery, lying in the fetal position on my travel mattress (having discovered one of my pressure sores had deteriorated and I couldn't drive the remaining leg from Kasama to Lusaka) that I would not have been able to complete this challenge without the help of my very 'unique' expedition team. Each member of the team has brought their own qualities to the expedition: 

Ben Matthews ('my brother from another mother'), has been my trusted friend since I was 11. Having somebody on the trip who knows me better than anyone else and being able to fall back on them without even sometimes having to discuss the problems concerned, has been fantastic. Ben has supported me right from my accident up until the end of the expedition. Ben is a natural entertainer and has also got an incredible amount of energy, which often feeds off to the other team members. He once asked me if I thought he was fussy when it came to getting things done. However, for me Ben's constant strive for perfection in everything he does always provides me with great confidence that the job will get done properly. Even though I've known Ben the longest, I've learnt a lot from him during this expedition, mainly due to his attitude to life and his ability to weigh up a situation and come up with compromises that can ease a conflicting moment. 

You'd be wrong to judge Woody the first time you meet him. His laid back approach hides a lot more than meets the eye. Woody is probably the first one to lend a friend a hand. He admits to himself that he's more of a pessimist than an optimist. I wouldn't call him a pessimist, but he has added a level headed-ness to the team dynamics. Somewhere underneath his enormous Afro hair there is a logical mind that has helped solve several mechanical problems that we've come across on the expedition. Although his sense of humour is very unique, his shoulder shuddering laugh helps to add a twist in the tale to the comedy on the expedition. From Woody I've learnt how important it is to give an honest opinion of what you actually think. You need to call a spade a spade. 

Doc is an incredibly great people person and has been an excellent representative of what we are trying to achieve on this trip. He has a very charming way of talking to people and always puts them at ease. Doc's enthusiasm for his camera-work has been very thorough. He spends many a late night and evening backing up his footage. He has a very active brain and is forever coming up with new business entrepreneur ideas. I've learnt a lot from Chris in more ways than one, especially on how not to grow facial hair. He's helped me to realise how important raising awareness of spinal injuries is and the resulting effect it can have on people and spinal research. 

Due to her permanent position in the Defender, I spent less time with Kiko on the trip than the rest of the team but Kiko is absolutely full of energy. To give her credit, when she knows she wants something, she goes and gets it. Her great money skills have ensured the team's kitty has stayed on the straight and narrow instead of plummeting into debt. I think at any point during the expedition we know where Kiko is because her volume switch is a few decibels higher than ours. Her sense of humour shines through and adds another dimension to the crazy team antics. Kiko did like looking after her 'boys' as she called us. Her mothering skills always ensured that everyone's dietary needs were satisfied. Having looked after her five big kids on this expedition, she now is adamant that she no longer wants the seven of her own she once hoped to have. 

I didn't really contemplate before I left how important Chrissy's role on the expedition would be. But looking back at it I consider myself very lucky that Chrissy came with us. If you can imagine that you'd have to spend everyday with somebody for 164 days in any ordinary situation, let alone driving to the otherside of the world, you would have thought you would have had to of known that person very well. In my case I'd only met Chrissy once but for some strange reason instantly felt at ease with her and for an even stranger reason knew that everything would be ok. It never ceases to amaze me how optimistic she is and although she is here to help me because I am unable to do everything, she makes me feel very normal, (like I haven't got a disability) Also I must take my hat off to the way she has dealt with my burns because on occasions they have been very unsightly and due to the weeping it has created a lot of extra work, which has always been done without battering an eyelid. Chrissy has also played a very important role of keeping the team together and additionally she has inherited the Australian habit of taking the piss out of everyone! Like Ben, I've learnt from Chrissy that it's very important to weigh up different people's personalities and to treat them accordingly. 

However, it's not just my team that I have to thank for making this trip such a successful expedition, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank: 
- Derek Breed - the founder of the expedition for his generosity 
- My Family - for their continued support 
- Richard Pirouet, Tony Wright, David Croisdale-Appleby our trustees for guidance and support 
- Jo and Caroline - our project managers for their behind the scenes hard work 
- The people of Hereford - for all their generosity 
- The Winston Churchill Memorial trust - for backing our expedition 
- Spinal Research for their encouragement and office space for Jo and Caroline 
- Cranfield University for all of their technical support 
- Stoke Mandeville Hospital for their ongoing medical support 
- Spinal Research for their encouragement and office space for Jo and Caroline 
- John Lloyd and Colin Green at Landrover Experience and those at JV Like for training the team in off road driving and sponsoring us for some of our equipment 
- Charlie McGrath at Objective for the expedition team safety and survival training which fortunately we did not have to use 
- David Constantine at Motivation for introducing us to our African projects and for his guidance 
- Trek Overland, W&H Safari Equip, Discoparts, Footloose 4x4, Fleetguard, Devon 4x4, Pentagon Glass Tech, Optima, Conrico, Allisport, Kelly Kettle, Keith Gott, General Ecology, Exmoor Trim, Mobile Storage System, Condor Ferries, Atlas Fire Protection, McConnells, Coxlease School, Butchers Pet Care, Brecon Pharmaceuticals, Gordon Foundation, Pegasus Ltd, Chartwells Insurance and Gerald Simonds for all your expedition sponsorship and belief in us. 
- Avanade, Kroll International and ISB Design for continuous web updates, location mapping and diary publishings - thankyou for your work 
- Molten Rock and Chris for your immense effort in flying the off-road wheelchair to Kenya. It was a superb few days whizzing around so independently - good luck with it in the future 

People we need to thank en-route 

- Stoke Mandeville and staff for their kind send off 
- Genevieve and Paddy Matthews for a delicious pre-departure dinner 
- Susan and Peter for a generous meal in Portsmouth 
- Derek, Hillary, Hillary and Pauline for your hospitality in Jersey and the school community of Jersey 
- Condor ferries 
- The Lions Club of Jersey 
- Stan and Neji for introducing us to Africa 
- Tom from Norway for your wisdom 
- Tequila and Mr Neji for their crazy antics 
- Yaya the owner of Adams House and staff in Aswan for their Nubian hospitality 
- Manon and her dutch crew for the experience 
- George and Egg-heart our great travelling companions and hopefully friends forever (you crazy South Africans) 
- Crazy Dan the cyclist for the entertainment 
- Craig the manager of the only Landrover dealer in Addis Ababba who fixed our vehicles 
- Rocky and Colin for our first welcome to Kenya 
- Flash, Sarah, Nikki and Jojo Barlow for a warm welcome home, their overwhelming generosity and using their house as a base at the halfway stage 
- The community of Gil Gil for their fundraising and generosity 
- Pembroke and Greensted schools for inviting us to come and talk to your students 
- Mike and Debbie Ghaui for their hospitality and continued support (and for not laughing too much when I fell out of my wheelchair) 
- Ron and Pauline Beaton for our fantastic stop off in the Mara and their fundraising efforts 
- Susie, Yan and Erin Allan for their warm hospitality in Nairobi 
- Isabella Iems for inviting us to Sotik 
- Martin and his wife for looking after us at Sotik Tea Estate 
- Ezekial, George and other staff for showing us around the tea estate and factory in Sotik 
- Members of KPO, KASI and DISICARE for your warm welcome and knowledge 
- Gazza for his superb photography and party shorts! 
- Anthony and Anthea Rowan and family for putting up with us so long and Anthea for her kind words 
- Bill and Claire, always good for a laugh 
- Nikki Ghaui for inviting us to stay at Kisolanza 
- The Foxes in the Ruaha for a delicious lunch 
- Mark and Mel for your hospitality at the Hot Springs were I learnt to swim and Boris and family from Switzerland for your company there 
- Vanessa, Amanda and Quentin Harhoff from Kasama for your incredible hospitality and putting up with the guests who never left 
- Zambian Phil for your scuba diving lessons and humour 
- John and Kirsten Flinn from Lusaka for allowing us to descend upon your abode for so long 
- Nikki Bauster from Francistown for your donation and kind words 
- Peter Hemingway for taking the time to meet us and share your knowledge 
- Eckhard and sister for letting us crash your beach house in Hermanus 
- Tony and staff at the Capetown Backpackers for your overwhelming generosity and Friendship 
- Ari and Members of QASA for your inspiration aod hardwork 
- Claire Taylor for your hard work and friendship 
- Richard and Sheela Pirouet, Old Mother Wood, Susan and Peter for your friendship 
- Landrover Convoy for your great welcome and for being there on our last day�s trucking 
- Ashburton for supporting CJSIT as your charity of the year in South Africa 
- The Carver Brown's for your friendship 
- Dr Bruce Caven and The nursing staff at Cape Town Medi Clinic 'hood donkey' for looking after me! 
- The Lions Club of Cape Town 
- Finally I would like to thank everyone who has emailed the expedition team for their words of support and I hope to be in touch with all of you very soon 
- Erica at International SOS for getting me home safely 


Somebody said to me very recently that the most important thing in life is not actually finishing something, it's actually starting it. That's what really counts. The Driving Home idea was my dream since I was a boy. I feel like I've put the wheels in motion but I could definitely not have done it without so many peoples help and I feel that because of the support that everyone has given me, it has given me and my team an amazing opportunity of a lifetime. We've seen places and faces in this world that many will never set eyes upon. We've seen landscapes change from Mountain to Savannah and back to Mountain again. We've all learnt so much and we've met some great people but most of all we have obtained some fantastic memories. In the wider picture, I hope this expedition has helped raise awareness of spinal injuries and I can admit myself that before my injury I knew nothing of the subject and I hope we've made a little difference. It's also opened my eyes even more to what is actually possible in this world if you set your mind to it. 

Right now I am resting up in Stoke, but when I return I shall divulge details of future plans for Driving Home and the CJSIT so stay tuned- 


SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS AND GIGGLES: 

Expedition Nicknames: 
Ben (Sandy): Mr Bi-iiin; Benjimund; Little Lady; Chopper; Helicopter, Snowflake, Chuck, Sandy 
Chris (Shandy): The Doc; Dr Sticky Pants; Dr Turd; The Dark Destroyer; Tripod; Parsnip; Hemmingway; Shandy 
Chrissy (Candy): Prundi; Prund; Crispy; The Nutritional Terrorist; Baby Doll; Little Old Lady 
Kiko (Gandy): Mummy Matthews; Gandolph; Lloyd Christmas (after Chrissy cut her fringe); Saki; Kikes; Flora 
Woody (Handy): The Wood; Ricko the Sicko; Slimer; Oglebey; Peeler; Woodmeister; 
Col (Randy): Gayvens; Shavens; The Shave-inator; The Queen; Hank; Hank-on; Grandma; Nicky; Boing-deckster 

Quotes: 

Col's tactful one liners: Ralph, didn't you have more hair last time (He hadn't lost any and was always semi bald); Kiko, in this light you look great! (It's dark) 

Chrissy: Doc, you know, you need to get out more 
Doc: I'm in the middle of the Sudan for gods sake!!! 

Flash Barlow to Kiko after her and Ben cancelled their wedding: Do you want some slippers, cos I hear you have cold feet? 

Woody (at the start of the expedition in reference to a previous family holiday): I promised myself when I was 13 that I would never go on a driving holiday again! 

Ben: (pointing in the blatantly obvious direction of the only route in the middle of the otherwise isolated Sudanese Nubian desert) Hey Swiss Robert we're going this way!!: 

Ben: Am I right? 
Chrissy: Are you wrong? 
Ben: I am right! 
Chrissy: You're not wrong 


Doc: Knock, Knock 
Chrissy/Col: Who's there 
Doc: Doctor 
Chrissy/Col: Doctor who? Ha ha ha 

Kid to Col at Pembroke School Talk, Kenya: How did you get your wonky eye? 
Kid to Col at School in Jersey: How did you get that bump on your head? 


Catch Phrases: 
Doc: For ****s sake!; Should I be filming this? I am going to do some damage; yeah baby yeah! I suspect; If I was being honest. 

Col: That's nice; and things like that; Safety never takes a day off; 

Ben: That's right!; Don't worry I can get by; Un momento (usually to Arabic speaking border officials) 

Woody: How many eggs do you want'c'mon!!; Can we eat yet? Can we have sausages? Where are we? What are we doing? Who are you? Hurry up! 

Kiko: (in a cockney accent): Ya wot? 

Chrissy: what's for lunch little lady (in a bullying tone); that's a nasty little habbit/I don't like your attitude (pronounced li-il 'abbit and -a-ii-tude in east London gangsta accent); you are in my hemisphere now so from now on you must follow my rules (after crossing the equator) 

Tequila (our Libyan guide): Why? Beeeee-caaaause.; Libya has the best

Favourite made up songs: 
Woodywall (to tune of wonderwall) 
'It doesn't matter if your granny's black or white' 
Three Little Fishies 

Total:
Mileage: 22,000km 
Countries visited: 12 
Days: 164 
Vegetable Curries: 1 trillion, 2 naans and 1 grandpah 
Punctures: 3 
Vehicles stuck: 2 (Woody driving Brenda en route to Khartoum in some sand and Col driving Beryl in our first day in Zambia becomes stuck in a muddy car park) 
Piss stops in one day's trucking: 8 in 2 1/2hours 
Arguments: 1 
Return visits to guests: 11 
Times falling out of the wheelchair: 1 (Mike Ghaui's Place, Kenya) 
Animal Carcasses picked up: 11 
Sundowners: 1.5 

Hottest Place: Lake Turcana, Kenya 
Muggiest Place: Moshi, Tanzania 
Coldest Place: French Alps, France and Simien Mountains, Ethiopia 
Wettest Place: Zambia! 
Windiest Place: Chalbi Desert, Kenya 

5 Best Camping Spots: 
Camping outside under the stars in the Chalbi Desert, Kenya 
Camping high up in the Simien Mountains around a fire, Ethiopia (New Years Eve) 
Camping in the remote Nubian Desert with trillions of stars, Nile Route, Sudan (Christmas Eve) 
Camping by Lake Lagano, with views of the lake lapping from my tent, Ethiopia 
Camping on a windy fishermans beach with an awesome sunset, Gabez, Tunisia 

Most unusual camping spot: Mc Donalds Car Park, Rennes, France 

Toilet Humour: 
Worst Toileting Experience: Squat toilets, Wadi Halfa, Sudan 
Most challenging Toilet Experience: Battling with temperamental showers At Derek's house in Jersey 
Longest time on the Toilet: 5hours 
Shortest time on the Toilet: 1hour 

Annoying ways to ask for tea and coffee 

Colin: M,n,o,p,q,r,s.what's the next letter? 
Kiko: T 
Colin: Tea? Why yes I'd love some - milk and two sugars 

Chrissy: What's the first name of the guy who heads the UN 
Doc: Kofi? 
Chrissy: Coffee-yeah I'd love some thanks, milk and two sugars 

Ben: Whose the guy who Rocky fought in Rocky 5 - Mr who? 
Woody: T? 
Ben: Tea-yes please-milk but no sugar 

Food 
Favourite meal: Tasting meat for the first time in ages at Ol Malo, Kenya: fillet of Steak on the BBQ 
Worst meal: Cold Injera, Gondor, Ethiopia 
Winner of the weetabix challenge: Chrissy ate 24 weetabix in 45minutes! 

Trucking: 

Longest truck: 810km in 13hours 
Best Truck: Chalbi Desert, Kenya and Nubian Desert, Sudan 
Worst Truck: Kasama to the Forrest Inn en route to Lusaka, Zambia 
Most difficult Truck: Kasama to Lake Tanganika, Zambia 

Security: 

Number of muggings: 1, Cape Town, South Africa 
Number of car break in's: 1, Cape Town, South Africa 
Number of car accidents: 0 
Number of gear crunches: More than we told Woody about! 

Best swim: Shiwa Ngandu, Hot Springs, Zambia