Some considerable time ago, our very dear friend Andy McMenemey talked to us about a project that he'd like to undertake - something about world records, marathons, charities . . . . and more of the same! These ideas and concepts gradually matured into the mammoth task that he has now set himself and is about to undergo next week.
As details of Challenge66 emerged, it seemed quite natural that Ellie and I should participate in some small way and we therefore determined to run the Hull marathon with him - or at least run it and complete it in our own time. Ellie was always going to complete it and I always said that I would just do my best and hopefully finish.
However . . . . . events conspired against us and Ellie's injured shoulder seriously restricted our training programme and precluded our participation in this way.
So . . . . our focus on such a level (perhaps quite naturally) diminished until we read a post on Facebook (FB) asking for a retired HGV driver to drive a 36ft American RV around the UK as the main support vehicle for Challenge66. Thoughts of taking a "crash" course (excuse the pun) to get an HGV licence immediately sprung to mind and after much discussion with Ellie and some Google research, I resolved to ring Andy for clarification of the qualifications required. So on Monday 28th Feb, I spoke to him and believe it or not, this 36ft RV is apparently classed by the DVLA as a "large motor vehicle" and can therefore be driven by anyone with a licence category of up to 7.5 tons weight on their licence. So legally, I could drive it.
Events then moved on apace!
On Friday 4th March, I met up with Andy and Barry, the project director and saw "the beast" for the first time. BLOODY HELL - IT WAS ENORMOUS!! I have driven a 32ft version in the US on previous holidays but then the roads over there do cater for larger vehicles with associated parking and refuelling amenities, etc. But what a magnificent vehicle - Talk about "King of the Road"!
Barry & Andy with the "Battle Bus"
So I am now officially the main RV driver for the duration of the challenge - and I am absolutely delighted. Not even the thought of navigating this monster through central London and Westminster phases me - although I do think it might be quite interesting!Seriously folks - How many opportunities do you get to participate in such a fabulous event? How many times are you likely to get involved in a World Record Challenge? Well - I am truly honoured and feel privileged to be part of it.
So now I am in the process of packing my bags (well, Ellie is ) and frantically working with Google Maps and Autoroute to address the various stages of the journey (Oh, and pestering Barry for routing information in the meantime!). My objective ( apart from having fun) is to ensure that Andy is free and uncluttered of any issues other than those enabling him to complete each leg of his epic journey.
This man is a star! - and deserving of nothing less than 100% support! If I can contribute to that, then I will be truly happy.
So there remains now the domestic issues - bills to be paid and processes / procedures that I normally do and that Ellie is going to have to do for the forseeable future - bless her. On one side, I am so excited and have such a buzz about this "adventure" and then suddenly there is the aspect of leaving my family - without doubt the most important people in my life - to exist on their own for 2 months - my God, that's a life time!! All I can say is God Bless Ellie - what a woman!! . . . . . . More later.
Benji's Blog
How do you communicate with a 5 year old boy and explain that you are leaving him for a time - actually for about 2 months! This little man is the light of my life - he is such a gentle boy and craves the love and attention that both Ellie and I try to give him all of the time.
So this is for him . . . . .
Hi Benji - I love you very much and I am just about to start my big adventure with Uncle Andy.
Mummy has been helping you to stick pins in the map to show where I will be every day so when you wake up each morning, you will know just where your Daddy is!!
Uncle Andy will be running a long, long way, and Daddy (and Mummy) have said that they would help him to do this. While I am away, I will talk to you mostly on my computer and tell you what I have been doing every day. I know that you will be looking after Mummy and think that you are a very big boy for doing that.
I will send lots of pictures and stories to you but sometimes I might be a bit busy looking after Uncle Andy so this might not happen every day.
I love you so much, my son - Give mummy an extra kiss and squeeze from me when I am away.
Big Hugs and Kisses
Daddy
XXXXX
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