tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-290588912024-03-07T19:06:18.397+00:00ibrakeforRALLYcake!Plymouth to Banjul Rally 2006/7Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-42990428352356468322007-05-08T20:52:00.000+00:002007-05-08T21:05:45.606+00:00Slackers!!!Finding sufficient excuses for not sorting out the photos and/or the road book until now (May) is going to be difficult but I'm going to go with being kicked out of the flat, kipping on Fraser's floor and at Kate's mums house (mainly Kates mum's, Fraser didn't do my washing, thank you Jill!!!) and finally moving in with Kate, er and snowboarding.<br /><br />Anyway I've just returned to the 21st century with broadband and so will attempt to sort through the photos and scribbled notes in the road book so Dave and my Grandkids can tell Grandad to shut the hell up and stop telling the Bansang ferry story for the nth time coz they read it on ibrakeforcake first.<br /><br />I think we covered most of the prep for the rally pretty well so I'll start from Hyde Park, which is better than me and Dave nearly did as there would appear to be more than one bits of open ground opposite a 'Marble Arch' mmm 4000 miles of navigation to go and we're struggling with Hyde Park.......... <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/325172104/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/325172104_b080fb4390.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Banjul Rally send-off 017" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Dave brake tests the Trooper</span>Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-8493104738904219062007-03-06T11:01:00.000+00:002007-03-06T11:53:18.531+00:00SoldHave only just found out how much the Trooper sold for, which is a bit slack, but both Chris and I have been up to our eyeballs since our return from the P2B. £699.66 was what it fetched, which I am a bit dissapointed with, to be honest, but the fuel pump issue must hasve hindered bidding, even though it only needed a good clean and refurb.Dave Branfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01016275123098132337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-53375497581074899022007-02-08T23:24:00.000+00:002007-01-31T14:56:28.330+00:00PicturesSorry one and all if you've been waiting for pictures from the trip. A small selection of the piccies are up on the FLICKR host site that we use and can be accessed by clicking on the image below. Sorry again as I've been really busy with work and completing/knocking down bits of my new house and the piccies took a back seat for a bit, but Pippa and Ian and Jan, DVDs will be winging their way to you next week at some point.<br /><br />Enjoy the images, they show a bit but do no real justice to how amazing an experience the P2B was...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/363635691/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/98/363635691_dddc3815bb_o.jpg" width="550" height="365" alt="two" /></a>Dave Branfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01016275123098132337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1168948480032412242007-01-16T11:46:00.000+00:002007-01-16T11:54:40.043+00:00Messages from a Couple we met en route.Hey Chris,<br /><br />I checked out your site - How could I not when it has such a great name <br /><br />I wanted to post a comment to the Sahara update (doh), but the function seems to <br />be disabled. Worried about dodgy comments from your mates eh? <br /><br />Here is is anyway:<br />Bonjour/Hola from one of the Australian bikers! ...well, technically I am <br />South African and my partner Sean is the Ozzie, but I dont mind the demotion <br /> <br /><br />It was excellently exciting to stumble upon some of the Plymouth-Banjul <br />crew. Chris and Daves were one of the first cars we saw. 'ibrakeforcake' <br />provided a few good miles of in-helmet entertainment. It was with amusement <br />that Sean and I stopped to provide additional assistance to an over-eager <br />fellow rally car, a little mini-van with the adventurous spirit of its 2 <br />burly german male driver and navigator. The Ibrakeforcake team however had <br />it all under control as they towed 'Mona' the mischievious minivan out of <br />the perilous desert sand and away from the ship wreck that had lured her in. <br />Not bad for a Charade!<br /><br />Happy travels south boys. And heres to using more female undergarments to <br />get you there!<br /><br />Michelle<br /><br />***<br /><br />I'm glad to hear that Sean has run into you guys again. It's difficult not <br />to be able to continue south with him, but then, that's the curse of having <br />to go back to work eh (all the better for saving up for a complete joint <br />adventure next time around).<br /><br />I was happy to hear that your African bush mechanics are workign well - <br />gravity assisted fuel pumps sound brilliant!!<br /><br />Good luck with your adventure. It is great to get out and meet such spirited <br />people who have the balls to do more than just armchair travel! Wey hey!<br /><br />Happy and safe travels,<br />ShellsChris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1168941038946195642007-01-16T09:49:00.000+00:002007-01-16T09:50:38.956+00:00Alive Alive-oHello <br /><br />Contrary to popular myth and rumour me and Dave are alive and well having made to Gambia and back in one piece. Full posts/pics to follow once we've adjusted to being back in blighty. <br /><br />Happy new year to everyone I've not seenChris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1168941311932766522007-01-16T09:19:00.000+00:002007-01-16T09:55:11.946+00:00Back in Blighty<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3254/2366/1600/535550/Blog_Back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3254/2366/320/864331/Blog_Back.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br><br /><br />We have arrived home, a little more smelly, tired and weary. Lots of piccies and stories to tell which will go up on the blog when they're sorted! Thanks to everyone who helped us get the car and equipment ready for The Gambia and the people who sponsored us to get the car there.<br /><br />We met up with Kemo Cesay, our PAGEANT contact and donated the materials to Sinchu Baliya school, amid one of the warmest receptions I have ever experienced. Really great to see the kids there and the how outside help is changing their school environment. We were also fortunate to visit Bansang Hospital, up country, with the Los Perros Locos boys, who'd arranged to donate their car as an ambulance and donate some medical supplies. This also gave us an opertunity to give over the medical stuff that we'd bought. Another amazing welcome, with more local dancing and a detailed four hour tour of the Hospital's facilities (or lack of them). Quite an experience and great to see the impact that Anita Smith has been able to make there. Google 'Bansang Hospital' for more info - it was on the BBC last Friday, too.<br /><br /><br />A massive thanks to all the people who helped us along the way - too many to mention in detail, but you know who you are! Special thanks to Steffi and Kate who let us go and supported us, also our Parents, Bob, Cath and Derek. And a Massive thank you to Gav for all the tireless web work and behind the scenes geekery!Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1168380146082275542007-01-09T21:54:00.000+00:002007-01-09T22:02:26.096+00:00Nearly there!Sorry if you all thought something terrible had happened, it hasn't, well not before I last spoke to them yesterday evening. They have had an eventful week, nearly getting lost in the dessert, dodgy guide, pot holes the size of the trooper, dead donkeys, holding areas, kids trying to nick stuff, locked keys in the car and holding up lots of angry ferry passengers which resulted in the trooper being lifted out the way and shaking hands with a crocodile (do crocodiles have hands?)! By and large your average day in Milton Keynes.<br /><br />Anyway they are safely in The Gambia, Dave sounds like he's had an amazing time, they're off to see hippos tomorrow and are set to come home on Friday.Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1167322345796288512006-12-28T15:58:00.000+00:002006-12-28T16:12:25.806+00:00Sahara time!Got a very quick but informative call this morning, they had left Layoun and headed into the Western Sahara travelling with two Australian bikers. They are stopped fairly regularly by military check points but all is well and they've had no problems with the locals! The car started rattling and they had got sand in the air inlet, so with a pair of tights securely in place they were off again and are now heading towards Dakhla only a few miles north of the Tropic of Cancer. The weather has got hot and even at night they it's mild (not that they know as it seems the lure of hotels is winning over the camping plans!).<br />StephChris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1167236157366851412006-12-27T15:58:00.000+00:002006-12-27T16:15:57.376+00:00High in the HillsI think MK implied Marrakech Gav, but not to worry! Yesterday (Boxing Day) they successfully navigated the Atlas Mountains over the Tiz-n-Test pass with scenery "to die for" with the weather hotting up and on to Agadir.<br /><br />Back in time to the lost days of Gav; the boys spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Marrakech sampling interesting foods and fighting off the market traders, but I am assured they have got some bargains. Dave marvelled at the number of donkeys and as it was The Festival of the Lamb, or some such, there were sheep/lambs everywhere, on mopeds, in the streets, in houses...<br /><br />Generally both boys are in very high spirits and are really enjoying their adventure; jealousy is beginning to seep in - but can't really complain as I am now sitting in the South of France and for the first time in over a week I have seen the sun!<br /><br />SteffiChris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1167208918581881532006-12-27T08:07:00.000+00:002006-12-27T08:41:58.590+00:00incommunicadoA quick update from the chaps, we are missing a few posts since some chav nicked my phone the other day...true christmas spirit and all that....<br /><br />So Chris informed me yesterday (might have been christmas day) that they had left MK, now then, i am assuming that this is some sort of typo for those in the know(and dave should know) MK means Milton Keynes and he left there 10 days ago! S lets make a massive leap here because geography isn't my strong point and its a 5m walk to the atlas and i'm in a rush, so....they left Meknes in morocco yesterday with the Atlas mountains looming in the distance and they do look 'bleedin' high. Well done there chris.<br /><br />Glad to be back on the road and in a convoy of at least 8 cars they are now off to Sidiinfi to camp for the Night.<br /><br />They both wish us a Merry Christmas as we do them!<br /><br />Good luck guys.Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1166695882582727652006-12-21T10:05:00.000+00:002006-12-21T10:11:22.596+00:00Hola amigos<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/328938068/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/127/328938068_ca417e7af9_o.jpg" width="160" height="120" alt="Spain" /></a><br />The guys arrived safely in Madrid last night after a long drive through Spain and a night sleeping in the car.<br /><br />A little game of football to relax in which Dave managed to hurt his shoulder. Fantastic scenary of which i'm sure senor Branfield will be taking lots of porper photos of which we will upload and publish on their return from Da Gambia, innit.<br /><br />The Trooper is struggling on but is still stripping gearbox in 5th gear. Following a brief conversation I managed to contact the best breakers yard in Gibralter who claim to have a spare tropper gearbox which Chris and Dave will hopefully go and look at today. The budget is tight and if possible they will replace the whole gearbox, good job Chris knows his stuff, i wouldn't want to tackle that job on the road! If the entire replacemetn is not possible they may just replace the 5th gear...we'll keep you posted!<br /><br />Enjoy your trip to the rock chaps!Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1166527318580061182006-12-19T11:18:00.000+00:002006-12-19T11:21:58.590+00:00Days of oil livesHaving gotten totally covered in gear oil, we have refilled the troopers g/box and are planning to leave Bergerac in about 30 mins (12.30pm) about 3 hours behind our schedule. AA european cover has been purchased and we are taking an easier route over the Pyranees (spelt wrong I know!!!) <br /><br />Hopefully we'll be in tough tonight to say we made Spain!!<br /><br />ChrisChris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1166464806790144272006-12-18T17:47:00.000+00:002006-12-18T18:58:11.976+00:00The overnight trip to Bergerac<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/326259190/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/135/326259190_630cd5874e_o.jpg" width="485" height="368" alt="lesmarais" /></a><br />Our first update date from the boys in France!<br /><br />Follwoing a drive all through the night, Chris and Dave rocked up in Bergerac at 8am, to stay with Chris's friend ian who happens to own a lovely barn, <a href="http://www.lesmarais.co.uk/">(available to hire)</a> and get a well earned rest after driving 20 hours of the first 24 of the rally!<br /><br /><br />OK. Thanks Gav. What a 36 hours that was. We have arrived 'safely' in Bergerac and are staying with Annabelle and Ian at their lovely little pile and are slowly regaining our sanity! Sunday was a bit of a blur as we'd got up around 7am after a meal out to say goodbye to Steffi and Kate in Brighton. A little hungover and it was off up to London for the Start Line official in Hyde Park. In keeping with the general theme of disorganisation, the launch was hectic, great fun seeing everyone's pimped out cars and we managed to leave without everyone after getting confused about what was supposed to be happening! Massive thanks to everyone that showed up, it was wicked to see you all!<br /><br />Off to the ferry for 3:30pm and we were feeling quite sorted at this point and following via michelin directions were steaming south. It all started to go wrong about 2am when the fog set in. May I just say that it was FOG not just whispy uk fog and we were in it for around the next six hours! The 15ft of visability meant that you had to stay 100% concentrated all the time which was increasingly hard the more tired you were. After a breif nap at 3am, things really started to go crazy at about 4am when the gearbox started to make a catching, intermittent whining sound in fifth gear. Bugger. This continued and coupled with our tiredness, started to make us go completely paranoid and we narrowed it down to main drive bearing or one of the gearbox bearings/cogs/synchromesh/dog clutch... Anyway, we pulled over and checked the transmition oil level. Fine. Went 100m and then checked the engine oil level - not much. We toppedup the engine oil, I stood in the oil and covered my shoes, then got in to drive and realised that I couldn'toperate the pedals as I was slipping off! Doh! Drove in sock for an hour whilst Chris wiped my shoe clean. By now complete exhaustion, the limoge effect (when limoge is signposted as 20km for what seems like three hours without getting any closer) and complete runaway paranoia about the gearbox meant we were gibbering wrecks, with one driving,the other pointing out useful facts like bends in the road and that you've got your wipers on full blast in dry air...<br /><br />We arrived at 8am and let ourselves in and both couldn'twind down enough to sleep for half an hour...<br /><br />Dave<br /><br />Alarm woke the pair of us at 11 despite wishing we could sleep for about another day. Personally it took me about 2 hours and a shower before I was anywhere operating at full capacity. Lunch lunched we drove up to see a mechanic Ian knows, turned out he'd had mroe than his fair share of prepping 4x4s for the desert. Having arched his eyebrows at the wagon he offered to try and track down another gearbox tomorrow, loosen all the retaining bolts and show us how the box would come out should the need arise. <br /><br />We dropped the gearbox oil and found the inevitable glimmer of bearing material followed by shards of wear debris left behind in the drop tray, in short. Either 5th gear or one of the main shaft bearings is wearing rapidly. We're hoping it's only fith and it's not that rapid!!! Tom we will see if we matey has found another box and will top up on relevant lube and bowser so I don't have to have another bath in the bloody stuff!<br /><br />If this was going to happen on the rally this is probably the best place aside from spitting distance from the finish line, somewhat aggrieved it couldn't play silly buggers a month ago so could rectiywith the help of glorious leader and Gary but 'what can you do', beer calls.<br /><br />Chris<br /><br />As mike says.... CHILLAAAAX!Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1166464007691885742006-12-18T17:46:00.000+00:002006-12-18T17:46:47.730+00:003,000 miles to go<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/325172104/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/142/325172104_b080fb4390.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Banjul Rally send-off 017" /></a><br /><br />An early start for the friends and family of our intrepid Ibrakeforcake rally team as we gathered on an amazing Winters Morning in Hyde Park. <br /><br />In typical Gav style i had a phone with no charge but had had the foresight before the previous evenings drinks to fourmulate some sort of plan! Off we trotted to Find both Monsieur Lawler and senor branfield looking suprisingly chirpy and excitable as you would be knowing or maybe not knowing what the next three weeks were all about!<br /><br />In true bodge it style the roof rack was on and strapped down all the essentials our team needs for a challenging 3 week rally...yup a spare wheel and their surfboards! Fear not i did overhear a conversation in which chris reassured someone they were organised and had spares etc...i'm not saying anything, checked you passport this time chris?<br /><br />So good luck to the chaps, we will be utilising all the latest technologies to keep you all updated of their progress. We wish them safe travels and a superb christmas. I am not quite sure how either of them will cope without the turkey, maybe they have a secret plan? Although looking at them in this photo i'm not convinced! Good Luck Dave and Chris spreading the IBFC name across the lands.Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1166001733656740002006-12-13T09:12:00.000+00:002006-12-13T09:22:13.666+00:00Pageant DeliveryPippa has taken delivery of the resources we will be taking out to Sinchu Baliya, listed below. We'll be stopping by on Saturday to get some pics of Ian and Pippa with the car and get any last minute advice for The Gambia.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/321161276/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/132/321161276_a1e2d487fd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pageant_stuff" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">best Dave fixes the roofrack on with more than cable ties then, eh Dave</span><br /><br /><strong>The List</strong><br /><br />SENTIFIX<br />Sing & Play: Animals<br />Big Frog Literacy Pond<br />First Writing Mat Class Set<br />Alphabet Zigzag book set<br />Look, Write, Hear cards etc<br />Phonix Demo Cards<br />Sort & Sound word-making cards<br />Wordmat KS1 class set<br />Wordmat KS2 class set<br />Cursive alphabet line<br />Letter tracing stencils<br />Grammar through the Literacy Hour Y3<br />Grammar through the Literacy Hour Y4<br />Busy Bee workbooks, pack<br />packs 100 exercise books<br />3x100 large science practical books<br />80 metre rules<br />2x100 junior writing books<br />13 sets Round the class cards<br /><br />Total spend was approx £550<br /><br />Thanks again to Edison for their support of PAGEANT and to everyone who sponsored us so we can get the resources out there!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/243167213/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/91/243167213_3662445077_o.jpg" width="156" height="199" alt="Edison_name" /></a>Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1165918306977268502006-12-12T09:40:00.000+00:002006-12-14T09:27:03.346+00:00Sponsorship- Thank You<div align="left">This will get updated over the remaining few days before we go by myself and Dave. Firstly a massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored us. Not only will all of your support help get us to Gambia but we now have quite an impressive collection of equipment to donate (see previous post).<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Sponsors so far</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Vegantune</span></strong><br />The boys come up trumps again, thank you very very much Rich<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Edison</span></strong><br />Thank you for buying into the whole idea and helping get the ball rolling, paricularly my Mum, Hi mum<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Medlock Construction<br /></strong></span>Thank you Kate and all her friends at Medlock for sponsoring us and to Warren for donating pretty much all of the non automotive tools and equipment and some of the automotive stuff as well<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Our Finances so far</strong></span><br /><br />Edison Schools Direct to Pageant.................... <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£1200</strong><br /></span>Edison Schools to IBFC....................................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£800</span><br /></strong>BOC Edwards..................................................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£250</span><br /></strong>Jet and Helicopter...........................................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£100</strong><br /></span>Crazy Horses Racing .......................................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£100</strong><br /></span>Pa Branfield ....................................................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£56 worth of jerrycans</strong><br /></span><br />Chris Friends and Family .................................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£430</span><br /></strong><br />Dave Friends and Family..................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£510</span></strong><br /><br />Total Donated ..................................................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£3390</span><br /></strong><br />Total(-) Edison donation to Pageant.................. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£2190</span><br /></strong></div><div align="left">This is the amount that will be taken in cash of various currencies and on a dedicated credit card<br /><br /><strong>Expenditure</strong><br /><br />Sponsorship money is being used for the following only. All other costs i.e. buying the car, flights, innoculations, accomodation not listed, car tax and insurance etc has already been paid by Dave and myself.<br /><br />Amount spent is listed if the items have already been bought<br /><br />Car parts and spares ...............................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£200</span></strong> Crazy Horses, Vegantune, Jet & Helicopter<br />Car fluids, purchased tools...................... <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£250</span> </strong>BOC Edwards<br />purchased equipment, inc 1st aid............ <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£116.44</span> </strong><br />Fuel from France onwards .......................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£-</strong><br /></span>Tolls........................................................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£-<br /></span></strong>Med. Ferry ..............................................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£-</strong></span><br />Moroccan Insurance................................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£-<br /></strong></span>Food supplies ex meals 'out'.....................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£-</span></strong><br />Camp sites.............................................. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£-</span></strong><br />Senegalese Ins.........................................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£-</span></strong><br />Border 'fees' ...........................................<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£-</strong></span><br />Desert/Minefield Guide.......................... <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>£-<br /></strong></span>Resources for Edison Schools ..................<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">£-</span></strong> From Edisons £800 donation<br /><br />At the end of the rally the money we did not need to get the car to The Gambia will be donated to PAGEANT, I will complete a matched donation form and BOC Edwards will match this donation pound for pound, doubling what we can give to PAGEANT.<br /><br />This is NOT a final finanncial account, we will publish this after the rally but it is the most accurate desription of our Sponsorship to date.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Chris </div>Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1165856529486764072006-12-11T16:57:00.000+00:002006-12-12T09:39:45.726+00:00FMBThis post is of no technical, historical or narrative value and is simply me saying, 'good god we go this Sunday', fortuntely I have recieved some encouraging words from Ian, proprietor of the establishment at which we will be spending Monday night in France<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/320348321/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/137/320348321_59336c17da.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="me_ed_lynns" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">me and Ed seeing the family before Christmas and handing the car over to Monsieur Branfield fo MK duties</span><br /><br /><em>Just been going through your itinerary. ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH! DO YOU KNOW WHERE BANJUL IS? IT'S NOT THE NAME OF SOME BAR IN SOUTHERN FRANCE. IT'S IN THE BLOODY DESERT! Listen. All's not lost. I've arranged everything. When you get to Gibraltar, speak to Manuel Olitharzibalihez in the customs office. You're booked on the 15.20 fast cat to Tenerife. Leave your kit at the Plaza, kick back for a few days, daub "Banjul welcomes you" on a scrap of paper, quick pickie, ditch the truck and hop it back on the BA flight to Gatwick. You'll be back in time for mince pies.</em><br /><br /><em>Ian</em><br /><br />Time will tell if Ian knows something we don't.Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1165310450293032172006-12-05T08:52:00.000+00:002006-12-05T09:25:41.213+00:00All the mod cons.............Like seats that don't try and rattle the fillings out of your head every time a sparrow sneezes at 400yrds in the direction of the trooper or that require you to drive whilst performing a complex variation on the lotus position whilst temporarily dislocating the 5th an 6th vertebrae to accommodate the solid acute angled back support mid spine. In short the old seats were not exactly comfortable<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/314306533/"><img height="180" alt="P1010208" src="http://static.flickr.com/117/314306533_2c343e9f72_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Modified Isuzu seat rails</span><br /><br />fortunately Dave salvaged the 'seats' (read armchairs) from the Cavalier which have been duly fitted, not sure if its the comfort level or the provenance in general but sitting in them provokes an instant craving for a pipe, slippers and the Sunday papers probably followed by a nice afternoon nap, which is fine just not on the N21 10hrs south of Calais!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/314306552/"><img height="375" alt="P1010210" src="http://static.flickr.com/117/314306552_1c885647cd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Trial fitting of the new seats</span><br /><br />Following a superior level of bodging by myself and Fraser on Friday afternoon (cheers Fraser and his mate with the lock up and power for the drill!!) I trial fitted the seats on Sunday afternoon whilst struggling somewhat through the cheese and port haze from Saturday<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/314306554/"><img height="375" alt="P1010211" src="http://static.flickr.com/118/314306554_132889cde0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Original seat adjustment mechanism retained</span><br /><br />A minor amount of tinkering required to retain the sliding mech as I have short legs.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/314306549/"><img height="375" alt="P1010209" src="http://static.flickr.com/119/314306549_83e459b9dd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Essential tools</span><br /><br />Massive thank you to Kate's dad Chris for letting me use his garage as playing mechanic in the p*ssing rain and wind in the dark is not much fun. The garage floor is covered by carpet very much in keeping with the whole slippers and armchair theme all helped by a constant supply of tea and digestives, thank you Kate. However a little known property of this type of carpet is its unbelievably ability to instantly camouflage and disappear pretty much anything you put on it, I lost an entire seat for about half an hour.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/314306556/"><img height="375" alt="P1010212" src="http://static.flickr.com/109/314306556_46e536cbce.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">New seat in innit. Can you spot Ed?!</span><br /><br />Home from home, the armchair in situ. They are sooooooo comfortable, best mod to the car yet!!!<br /><br />Chris<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span>Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1165226799677260032006-12-04T10:05:00.000+00:002006-12-04T21:20:41.666+00:00Best laid plans.......Me and Davros the 'no longer unready' finally got round to forming what could be passed as something approaching a plan at the weekend.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/313815415/"><img height="365" alt="3" src="http://static.flickr.com/114/313815415_316881d2bd_o.jpg" width="550" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Press any key to continue. Doh, where's the 'Any Key'</span><br /><br />We've sorted out our travels day by day until Agadir in Southern Morocco, after that we're governed by making the Mauritanian border in time to meet up with everyone and head off into the dessert. All of the following is completely subject to change depending how we get on and how badly we get distracted by cool stuff on route! having said that our itinary so far looks something like this.<br /><br />Sunday 17th Brighton to Hyde Park to Calais to Bergerac !!!<br /><br />Monday 18th Arrive Bergerac and recover!!<br /><br />Tuesday 19th Leave Bergerac over the Pyrenees to somwhere in Northern Spain near Zaragoza, stopping when we've had enough<br /><br />Wednesday 20th Zaragoza to Madrid and a night in an Ibis hotel and city shenningans<br /><br />Thursday 21st Leave Madrid, arrive Gibraltar to claim our pre-booked accom and meet up with the rest of the teams<br /><br />Friday 22nd Recover from Thursday and general R&R day<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/313815410/"><img height="365" alt="1" src="http://static.flickr.com/114/313815410_197544243a_o.jpg" width="550" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">here, here and ....... how far!!!</span><br /><br />Saturday 23rd Leave Gibraltar by ferry for Morocco, not expecting to get far by the time we've negotiated out first African border. Stopping around Fes when we've had enough or find somewhere intersting to stay.<br /><br />Christmas eve 24th Arrive Marrakech for two days with few other teams<br /><br />Christmas day 25th Day in Marrakech doing touristy stuff<br /><br />Boxing day 26th Leave Marakech for Agadir via the Tiz n Test mountain pass stay in Agadir<br /><br />Wednesday 27th Leave Agadir into the dessert, still on road, to Daklar<br /><br />Thursday 28th Daklar to Nouadibou to re-group pre desert operation<br /><br />Friday 29th Into the desert for real.<br /><br />From this point on all bets are off and, although we pretty much are anyway, we'll be taking each day as it comes. We still need to make a certain amount of progress each day but it's such an unknown we're not bothering to plan on being anywhere at any given time in between the various towns and borders.<br /><br />Will try and get some Google earth links to some of the desert way points or simliar.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/314297801/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/104/314297801_ea63bb79dd_o.jpg" width="525" height="669" alt="Route" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Not filched and modified from a Paris Dakar website, honest.</span>Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1164732968198582302006-11-28T16:41:00.000+00:002006-11-28T16:56:08.836+00:00Letter to the Times Educational SupplementSent to the TES in the hope that our un-paralleled photographical and mechanical skills backed by a formidable mastering of the English language will prove just too much of an opportunity to turn down. Catapulting me and Dave to giddying heights of celebrity and stardom as we enthrall the English speaking world with tales of daring and the crisis management of incidents brought about by a general lack of preparation and a propensity to do daft things in front of a camera... despite being 26 and knowing better.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A good friend of mine and myself are taking part in the 2007 Plymouth to Banjul Challenge, a 4000 mile unsupported drive departing from the UK on the 17th of December and heading to Banjul in The Gambia where the cars we make the journey in will be auctioned and the proceeds donated to local charities identified by the challenge organizers.<br /><br />In addition we have been raising money for Pageant a charity supporting educational projects in the Gambia.<br /><br />Through Pageant we have established links with Sinchu Balyia, a primary school of 3000 in The Gambia. During the summer I met Omar Janneh, the science co-coordinators from Sinchu Balyia whilst he was on a 6 week Pageant sponsored visit to the UK. Omar's trip included visits to several UK primary schools which I was able to organise. Omar will be repaying the favour by taking us round his school, allowing us to take a lesson and introducing us to his family and way of life. He has also written an article for our website.<br /><br />All the details of our preparations, sponsors, links to charities, Omar's article and the general story so far are comprehensively covered on </span><a href="http://www.ibrakeforcake.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.ibrakeforcake.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> The site is well established and contains a significant amount of constantly updated content covering motor sport, mountain biking, climbing, snowboarding, surfing, mountaineering, hill walking, lifestyle and the Banjul challenge and provides much more of an insight into our motivation for taking part.<br /><br />My good friend Dave works as a professional photographer and I am an ex-motor sport mechanic working in development engineering. Between us we will be filming, documenting and photographing the entire trip for ibrakeforcake and will be centering on the delivery of a crate of educational resources, picked out by Omar and paid for by our fundraising, to Sinchu Balyia.<br /><br />Having already gone to such an enormous effort and still harbouring a completely unchecked level of enthusiasm for the whole project we are hoping the TES would be interested in running our exploits over one or more articles. We would be more than happy to provide copy and photographs and have already generated a substantial amount of material on which to base one or several articles that could help highlight the lengths that the Gambian people are willing to go to to obtain a fraction of the education we sometimes take for granted.<br /><br />The above is the briefest of summaries of the story so far and I would be really grateful for the opportunity to speak to you, to fill in the detail and give you a much better idea of the quality of material Dave and myself are capable of producing. Please take the time to check </span><a href="http://www.ibrakeforcake.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.ibrakeforcake.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Kind Regards<br /><br />Chris Lawler </span>Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1164640906681584902006-11-27T15:20:00.000+00:002006-11-27T15:32:08.900+00:00Dave, what do you think of Team Rallyace<a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/307734089/"><img height="349" alt="Daves mug" src="http://static.flickr.com/112/307734089_b5abb07e3b_o.jpg" width="479" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">picture remains copyright of team Rallyace, like you'd actually care!</span><br /><br />Nice, said Dave. Jesus, just look at that boat race.Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1164640389390591782006-11-27T15:06:00.000+00:002006-11-27T21:30:17.523+00:00Update<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2185/3908/1600/446368/Painting.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2185/3908/320/751900/Painting.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/307860070/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/115/307860070_c9695b8c8e_o.jpg" width="550" height="325" alt="Rackoff" /></a><br><br /><br />Financial sponsorship is finally kicking into action with Chris and I taking around £250 each from our work/freinds/small children that we held upside down and shook... Our parents have been roped in, in various ways to raise money/kit too. Well done them. Other important news is that Steph is making us a Crimbo cake to take away and eat in a carpark in Morrocco somewhere. Lovely. Also, as promised I finally did the GIF animation. Sorry about the quality and you have to click on the image... sorry, but it really is a feast for the eyes and mind.<br /><br />We still have car seats, camping stuff and roof rack to sort, various bits of outstanding paperwork, Oh, and the route to plan! Chris will be doing a tour of Edison Schools next Friday and then it really will be pack up and go... I've finally got around to posting the picture of the roofrack and cans, thanks again to those involved. NB that is not my lounge in the picture, its a set... I have much better taste and some furniture!<br /><br />DaveDave Branfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01016275123098132337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1164624900925324472006-11-27T10:51:00.000+00:002006-11-27T10:55:00.936+00:00Crazy Horses Flame Stickers of Glory<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibrakeforcake/307573530/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/105/307573530_97afbb9e0a_o.jpg" width="335" height="227" alt="crazy_ed" /></a><br /><br />.......and here Ed are the stickers from Mr Reynolds, Mr Reynolds is a geezor and helped fix the car that's taking you to Africa, say thank you to Mr Reynolds Ed.Chris Lawlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15009169103688953456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1163602062093262042006-11-15T14:13:00.000+00:002006-11-15T14:47:43.240+00:00Rack it up.Have got ourselves a sparkling shiny galvernised steel roof rack VERY kindly donated by Richard Grant, a freelance setbuilder/model maker that works with us at our studio from time to time. Thanks for relenting in the end and giving it away! Rich is a top bloke and very good at all sorts of carpentry and building projects and film work, so get in touch at <a href="http://www.rgproduct.com">www.rgproduct.com</a><br /><br />Nice one.Dave Branfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01016275123098132337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29058891.post-1162387152520722492006-11-01T13:01:00.000+00:002006-11-01T13:21:33.003+00:00Clunking Sounds...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2185/3908/1600/800px-Transmission_diagram.JPG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2185/3908/320/800px-Transmission_diagram.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>picture from www.wikipedia.com<br><br /><br />Just for the record, Chris and I had a conversation about the Trooper's Diff when we were at Leith Hill at the weekend. Now this could turn out to be nothing or could come back and bite us on the bum like a rabid dog, but the diff is making some grumbling clunky noises when turning - ie when equalling the drive of the rear wheels. Having discussed the work that was done with Steffis dad (an 'engineer' - a dangerous breed liable to melt parts of your bike or set fire to themselves (Mike's dad) at any given time) he said that we should double check what we'd done to the diff, as the pinion gear placement is critical and will, obviousely shred itself if misalinged...<br><br />Further talk with Chris and Rich at Vegantune ensued and the general advice is that there was no sign of wear on the oil that came out of the dif housing before it was tightened, old diffs clunk and another 4x4 that Rich had dealt with recently was suffering a similar sound and that it was exaggerated by running different size/profile wheels than those fitted as standard. We are running stupid wheels so we can expect this to happen!<br><br /><br />This post is not intended as a 'whos right', but I have a feeling that we might look back on this episode and laugh/sigh for one reason or another!!! Anyone out there who has had similar experiences can get in touch:<br /><br><br />chris@ibrakeforcake.comDave Branfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01016275123098132337noreply@blogger.com0