 |
From left to right the Team so far: Dennis, Chris, Steve, Jill, Andy, Joe, Andy |
The first meeting of Scoots 2013 is going very well, a small
but enthusiastic group gathering at the Rickyard Bunkhouse near Monmouth. This
morning a couple more should arrive to join the party, or more correctly the
information weekend !!! Our so far, sole lady participant, Jill, even arrived
up from Cheddar on her C90 something that is always bodes well for the trip.
Unfortunately, as I had to bring quite a lot of kit I opted for using the
Scoots backup vehicle, our trusty Pajaero.
Due to a couple of late unannounced no-goes, I still have a few places available, so if you
have ever fancied doing the Scooters in
the Sahara run down to The Gambia get in contact with me as soon as
possible, it’s not too late for this years run! Our departure date is set for
18th October, returning to Gatwick airport on the 15th
November, although there is the option to extend to trip by
about 3 weeks if
you have to time, at no (or very little)
extra cost by returning with me in the backup truck. This means we would arrive
back in the UK around the 7th December. So far we have only one lady
on the run and I would love to balance out the sexes just a little more so come
on ladies come and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime whilst helping some of the
world’s poorest and underprivileged
people; a definite win-win situation. Having said that we have what seems to be
a nice group of 9 which will I feel work
well together, so I’m a happy bunny! If
anyone does want to get in touch about the trip, either email (dennis@scootersinthesahara.co.uk
) or my mobile (07842 114370 ) are the best bets as once I get home from here,
the bike is already loaded ready for Allie and myself to head off to Poland for
a few weeks, returning of course for the second of our three little
gatherings….
This morning will see another couple of arrivals, so we can
get down to a serious exchanging of information as well as making a firm
decision on the date of the next meeting when hopeful y more of us will arrive
on our Scoots
The weather this morning, and indeed last night, is glorious
and I sit typing this looking out over the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside.
As is usual ,I’m the first to arise although I hear sounds of movement coming from
Paula and Andy’s palatial wobbly-box. I have suggested that Paula drives it to
The Gambia as our “mothership” but she didn’t appear to keen of that idea…. I
can’t imagine why!!! Breakfast is
scheduled for around 8.30, then we get back down to the serious business of the
weekend and no, I don’t mean boozing! (that doesn’t happen till much later (well,
quite a bit later anyway!) I think some of the team want to head into Monmouth
at some point to replenish supplies so that will make for a good break in proceedings.
After all the weekend is as much about getting to know each other a little as
it is about the gathering and exchange of information ; thankfully nobody had
brought along any port…..
The other good news is that having twisted a few arms I now
already have Nurse, Chef and Mechanic on
the team…. Many thanks to “the
volunteers” and thanks indeed to all who turned up for the meeting and made it
the great success that it surely was..
