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We did it!!!

We made it into Rome at midnight on the dot, tired, hungry but very happy at our achievement. the last day had been a final push with a trip into Venice that we had missed the day before. We left Sottomarina on a ferry and travelled the two hours to Venice for a very quick walk round. We then found that the next ferry was not until the evening so a mad panic to get a taxi boat to the bus station and jump on a bus. Unfortunately no one told us you had to pay before you get on and the ticket inspector started to issue £40 fines to each of us. After a little persuasion we managed to get him to only issue 3 fines, rather than 6, followed by lots of hysterical laughter. We named Friday 'Fail day'

When we finally got back and on the road to Rome we had to stop to help a fellow team mate who had overheated and run out of oil. 3 of us were in convoy on the hard shoulder until the police came screaming up behind us. Toby and Tom from our co team Pizza di Action got out to talk to them only to be screamed at by two gun wielding police men to 'get back in GO GO GO' and escorted us off the motorway. Once they realised we were in trouble they pointed us to the nearest petrol station and were very helpful, despite the guns.

So we finally reached Rome at midnight, had a quick shower and went to find the other teams. We had completely missed the final ceremony at 8pm and could only find one other, rather drunk, team in Rome.

The next day we did a bus tour of Rome and stopped off at the Colosseum, which was amazing. The boys then went to try and scrap Pizza di action's Saab whilst myself and Amy sat and had a glass of wine. 3 hours and three bottles later the boys returned, having been unsuccessful at scrapping the car and scarred for life having driven through the scary parts of Rome! We then had some food and more wine and told stories with some Texan guys that were doing a tour as well. One of our guys challenged the three of them to a drinking contest, having argued their comment that UK folk cant handle their drink. Keep in mind that these guys were BIG American guys, our representative, Tom did rather well! The kindly donated some money towards petrol to get the cars home.

The next day Stu, Amy and I all jumped on a plane home while Toby, Tom and Lisa began the long drive home in both cars. We had word today that they are home safe and sleeping for a few days.

All in all a wonderful trip - exhausting, hot and mentally challenging but some amazing memories. thanks to my co driver Stu and to the wonderful people we met on the trip who made it such a wonderful adventure!

Day 5

Just done a very fast march around Venice - realised the next boat back to hotel was at 5pm and we have to be in Rome for 7! Took a taxi boat along grand canal and jumped on a bus! A mini adventure!

Day 4 update

Today has really lifted everyones spirits. Yesterday felt really down and claustrophobic from ebing in such a big place and taking in so much but from a small confined and very hot place. Today however was the Stig water fight and I think that having 80 people come together as a team, all dressed in ridiculous outfits and having childish fun made me realise that we were all in this together and a team to the end.

Day 4 Update

Currently driving up Stelvio - very cool but a bit cold!

Day 4

Spent the last hour dressed as The Stig with 90 other Stigs having a water fight!! Best bit so far and then a tour round the town escorted by the police - who loved it all - and cheered out of town! On to Venice!!!!

Day 3 Update

This is not a relaxing holiday! For anyone that may feel sponsoring us to leisurely drive around is very much mistaken. It's so hot in the car and 35 degrees outside! This is such hard work, hours of concentration and the toll on eyes, arms, legs and brains is starting to show. Beautiful scenary but almost hard to enjoy the moment. Nearly at Lake Como so covered a fair way today. We need your support now more than ever!

Day 3 - Wednesday

It's 11am and 32 degress and rising literally by the minute. On a beautiful motorway running up the coast towards Milan. Todays challenge is to photograph number plates and apply a 6 step fixed maths equation to the number. The sum = your score. After yesterdays complete fail at the challenge due to break down will make effort today! Nearly everyone now having issues so truely is a banger rally!

Day 2 Update

Well both our car and our team mates cars are in trouble. Our hand brake has seized on rear drivers side so spent last few hours at side of road. Gave up on break down turning up so freed it off and now making our way to Monaco. Should be there for 10.30pm and may have missed the beach BBQ.... :-(

Day 2 - Tuesday

Nearly 7pm. Drove via the second largest gorge in the world. Absoutely amazing and wind windy Top Gear style corners which has led to the down fall of our co team Pizza Di Action. They are leaking gear box fluid and oil so we are having to stop every half hour to top up levels. Still 80 miles to get to Monte Carlo but there is a beach b...oh dear. Our brakes have stuck on. We have stopped again :(

End of Day 1

Drove for 12 hours so absolutely exhausted! Todays challenge was car snooker which involved taking photos of cars in colour order and points allocated for the order and colour. Saw a few teams break down and drop out so just hope we make it!

Day 1 - Monday

With slightly hazy heads from the induction night out the start of the rally has begun with a chorus of home made air horns and comedy outfits. The pirate ship was amazing as were Battle Cat and He-Man! We have had a LOT of comments and the Probe is a clear favourite. Pizza Di Action - dressed as pizza sliced and pit stop babes have walkie talki's with us. Lots of fun! Over!

Day 0!

Sat at the port waiting to board. Two hours early! Some crazy people are feeding sea gulls in the car next to us. Very unimpressed and hoping they wont make a mess on the car. The sea gulls that is! Glorious weather - hope it stays this way!

PHEW

Oh thank you thank you thank you !!! The Probe is working!!

The juddering and generally not working was down to plugs and cracked leads (apparently) which have now been gaffer taped together......ONLY JOKING!!! We have new leads on order ready for tomorrow but in truth they were gaffer taped together to check that it was the problem. Luckily the car is now purring, even with the gaffer tape so the problem has definitely been found (thanks Stu and Bob)

All being well the car will be running like a dream in time to go. Talk about cutting it fine!!

Free t-shirts!Thanks George!

A big thank you to George Janski of Northern Lights in Huddersfield for providing us with free tshirts for the trip. The tshirts have been printed on brand a brand new machine and the quality is excellent. George came over today to 'surpirse' me with this lovely gift, so a huge thank you to him for the donation.

George offers various print services, from pens to tshirts and if anyone has any requirements let me know and I will pass on his email address!

Thanks George!

bunny-hopping across Europe

Slight problem. We picked up the Probe and it seems to have a bunny hopping thing going on between 2000-3000 revs in all gears. It does not like any sudden change in speed and certainly not setting of in any gear other than 1st. Could just be due to the old petrol that is in it but not sure how long we will last bunny hopping across the country. might be sick!

hmmm.....the first worry of the trip - I think we really need your support now to help us through this!

The best strapline ever

'No Probe-lemo'


hahahaahahahahahhahaah!!!!! :D

The artist's rendition

Well we have an artist's version of what the old Probe could look like. After several options we decided this one looked the best a few of them did not resemble chocolate at all (we need discuss this part no further)

I have started writing my list of things to take...torch, mosquito guard, contact lense solution......NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! .... we have not booked the ferry to Calais!!!! ARGH. Ok....panic over, there is still time. If not does anyone have Jeremy Clarkson's number, I will call him for instructions on making a car-boat.

Final preparations

Just under two weeks to go and suddenly the realisation that you are not quite as organised as you thought dawns on you. The car has passed its MOT (yay!) and is ready to be taxed. Stu has done some 'designs' of the car and how it could look if we painted it in various ways. I was all in favour of painting it brown with flecks to represent nougat, and then beige and tin foil to create the effect. Unfortunately the photoshop mock up that was produced showed the massive error in our plan....A big brown car. Not pretty. At all.

So we have two options - go for beige or leave it as it is. I have to admit I am a little dissapointed that my image of a luxurious chocolatey good-enough-to-eat design idea didn't work! Satruday will be the day for decoration and the vinyls for the car should be ready. We have all the Sense logos and branding also ready to decorate the car with, we hope that people will recognise the international logo and maybe offer international sponsorship along the way. I should probably check that contributions in euros will be ok!

I have a slight personal dilemma also. I have been warnd about getting a 'truckers tan' while driving through the glorious sunny countries. I have a wedding to go to when I get back and it looks like I am going to be as multi coloured as the car!

Photos will follow!

Stella White for Sense

Stella White is fundraising for Sense - National Deafblind and Rubella Association - JustGiving

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We are taking part in a ‘Banger Rally’ at the end of July http://www.home2rome.com/index.esp

We will be driving from ‘Home 2 Rome’ in 5 days in a car worth less than £150! The car, a Ford Probe, was aptly named the ‘Probe-le-Rome’ (Stella’s genius idea!) and in true sporting spirit will be repainted to resemble its chocolatey inspiration!

We are doing this rally in aid of Sense, the charity for Deafblind children and adults and should you wish to make a small donation this will go towards supporting Deafblind children and adults around the UK.