Scoots 2013

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 18^th October, returning to Gatwick airport on the 15^th 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 7^th 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..