Apr 08

It had been the idea from the start that maybe a 'test run' would be a good idea given the fact that everything over the past few years has completely and utterly theoretical. With one week to go we still had never driven either vehicle further than the end of my drive, let alone pack it with all our gear to last us 4 months on the road. The Ape may not make even make it up the gentle hills of the Worcestershire countryside, the monkeybike may prove fatally small and invisible on major roads. One, or even all 5 of our wheels may fall off under the weight of our kit!
We set our sights suitably low, with a planned 22 mile trip to a campsite in the lee of Bredon Hill, a local landmark.
Short of a few 1st gear hills, and quite literally 4 seasons in one day, the first day proved pretty successful, with us completing the distance in 1.5 hours. The weather really did test us (well, mostly Jon on his monkey bike, but I do distinctively remember at one point I had to close one of my windows a notch...) throwing classic April showers at us one minute, and baking us under glorious sunshine the next. Jon was kitted out well, but that didn't stop me laughing my (dry) head off in the Ape as I caught a glimpse of him hunched up in my mirrors! At one point a Landrover flew past us spraying my Ape with puddle water. I was just about to swear out loud when I remembered Jon just in time to turn around and witness him on the receiving end of Tewksbury's very own Tsunami. I honestly tried not to laugh too hard.
Following a liquid fuelled de-brief in a great local pub, and a welcome return to a night under canvas, we hit the road the following day to make our return trip. Buoyed by the success of the previous day, we set our sights slightly higher with a 41mile route back. We tested the vehicles on twisty tracks, minor B roads aswell as major A roads, and they both coped admirably. Which is good, as the trip, and with it this very website, could have disappeared without a trace over night! You lucky things!!!
So, 63 successful miles done, our kit list refined, and our maps in hand, we are now well and truly ready for 10,000 miles and what ever may lay ahead. Well that's what we're trying to convince ourselves of anyway.
Wish us luck, and we'll be back in touch in a couple of days from sunny Spain!

This is the route outline of the trip, but it is neither exhaustive, nor the final plan! The chances are it will change drastically depending on, well, anything. It is basically an overview for you to get an idea of just how far we are going, and where we plan to make stops.

Long way, isn't it!