Saturday, 31 October 2009

We've finished!!

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The end is in sight!

After 14 days, 25 fuel stops and too many miles we are on the ferry with the white cliffs of Dover in sight!
It has been amazing, tiring, funny, but most of all fun. There have been so many great memories and between us we have got some many photos and videos it will take us until Xmas to sort it all out!
One more city to cause chaos in when we all decend on Hyde park at 2pm then we cross the finish line!
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The minis are coming home!

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Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Leaving Italy for this job

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Tuesday, 27 October 2009

4th race track of the job!

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4th race track of the job!

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View from top of the mountains near Imola - 6th in the rally!

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Monday, 26 October 2009

Is it Monday? Total miles 2122, amazing day!

Today has been great! We left Rome nice and early and headed for the Migello race circuit where bikes were racing until we were let loose on the track. It was fantastic we had 4 laps and I was driving the scene was great and we've hopefully got some great photos which we will put up once back home! We had two special stages and we think we did amazingly well on the first one! We'll find out once the results are put up. As long as we're still in the top 10 it'll be great!
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Anothe day another race track!

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Our personal guide to mugello race circuit!

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Our new driver!

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Sunday, 25 October 2009

St Peter's square

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Guess where I am?!

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Saturday, 24 October 2009

Formal dinner in Rome 9th place over all!

Hopefully upload more photos tomorrow when we have some free time! Waiting for the first course at the formal black tie dinner in Rome and are amazed at being 9th overall!
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In the pits at Vallelunga race track waiting to go!

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Special stage Italian style!

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Thursday, 22 October 2009

The med on way to Rome

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What happened on the circuit at Monza!

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Driving around the old banked circuit at Monza

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Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Day 4 21st slightly broken car!

So we've worked out our technology problems, my netbook keeps forgetting that it has a keyboard so not been able to update as much as we'd like to! Going to try and get to borrow dad's laptop tomorrow to put photos up. Today was great a walking treasure hunt of Turin going to visit loads of the scenes of the movie. Then off on a great police escort through Turin, horns beeping, people shouting amazing fun! The end was the rooftop track at the Fiat factory with a special stage and a drive around the banked wall at the end always special! Slightly broke the car as an subframe mount got a crack in it! Still not a problem we'll just turn up the volume to drown out the noise! Ended up 21st out of 57 cars so not too bad for the first day!
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Monday, 19 October 2009

Day 3

Just getting to bed after an amazing day will post photos tomorrow!
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Sunday, 18 October 2009

Racing at Reims!

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Day 2, many miles, 3 petrol stops

Having a technology problem so just to say we're in Chembery after an amazing day! Will update and show photos when we get to Turin tomorrow! Going over top of alps in the morning so off to bed!
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Saturday, 17 October 2009

Day 1, 465 miles, 3 petrol stops!

In the hotel room in Reims after a long day of travelling. Started well and got to Dover with only one petrol stop. Sea France were great and had got the delay down to just half an hour. Once in France we headed to Reims in heavy rain and spray from lorries! Half way there I had a nap but woke up with dad asking about petrol over the cb! Sun was out and I drove the last 200km to Reims. All was fine until the roundabout when I had to remember which way to go! Got to hotel and bumped into 2 other Minis Trina & Bam Bam and a new team. Now for bed as very tired but happy after walking around Reims to see the stunning cathedral all lit up and having a great Italian meal! Off to Chembery tomorrow!
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We're off and running!

We're on the M25 after being on the road for 80 miles being looked at and waving lots! Gue is lovely and once she gets going can put many cars to shame! One thing I'd forgotten (and so had Becky!) how noisy Mini's are we're thinking of trying to find some ear plugs at some point! Hopefully we'll get on a ferry at some point today!
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Friday, 16 October 2009

Last night in England

Ok, so we're sitting in my living room drinking vino with Gue packed with my things and all her things but Becky is having to re-pack her bag tomorrow morning! Something about packing at 1am this morning??!!
Surprisingly, it all fits in easily, give it till tomorrow evening and we'll using space in Dad's Cooper S, as we would have had to unpack and repack!
Bad news is that Sea France are on strike, so we have no idea what ferry we'll be able to get onto at what time tomorrow, but whatever happens we will be in Reims tomorrow evening!
So far we have filled up Gue with petrol and we will start the mile count in the morning before we head up to meet Mum and Dad.
No going back now!!
Also checked that we can upload photos on the move whilst we were filling up with petrol so we know what we're doing?!

The Job has started!

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Thursday, 15 October 2009

1 day to go - not going as planned!

Evening!

Well it's late evening and so far today to get ready I've managed to do - nothing!

After a long day at work, I was off to college and now I'm sitting down to dinner! By now I had planned to be all packed and ready for the off, but so far I've not even started to get my things together! But the important things have been sorted and are ready to be packed such as phone charger, netbook, 4 way adaptor for the mini, new hair dryer that works (thanks R,K & O!) rechargeable batteries and charger, formal dress, make up, jewellery, passport! Anything else can be shoved (I mean packed!) into a bag tomorrow evening! After all we have all night tomorrow to pack and we can always have a kip on the ferry.

Just as long as we leave by 09:30 on Saturday . . . .

wwwwaaahhhhhh

well never done this before so apologies if it comes out poopie... its now the day before I go and see Sian (Can't wait!!!) and then Saturday we will catch the ferry over to french France. I have had enough raising money for charity and now just want to go!!

Gue is all sorted and raring to go - she is actually behaving herself so I think she must be as excited as us!! Gala dresses have been tried on to ensure they fit, all ironing has been done, I am washing every night to make sure nothing is left. Last night we cleaned the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms and now just have the lounge to tackle tonight.

The reason for this madness is clear...... the mother in law is coming to stay for a few weeks to look after the kittens!!! I love my MIL dearly but how scared am I that she'll think I can't take care of her son properly!

After doing all the cleaning and dress trying on last night I then sat on the lounge floor (in my gala dress) and counted out all the cash we got for the cake sale and raffle tickets. This amounted to £424.95 ! We made £45.95 at the cake sale which isn't too shabby :D

Having a half day today so I can do the shopping and make a start on the lounge (might also sneak a watching of the second part of True blood before I finish :p)

Tonight have to pack and semi load the car, still have to fit CB and put Donington stickers on and I also have to go and pick up the voucher for Touring cars they have kindly donated to the cause :)

Right time to go and do some actual work !!

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

2 Days until we leave - By Siân


So, it's only two days until we leave to start our 3,500 mile journey to Italy and back.

In 14 days.

In a 14 year old Mini called Gue.

With Becky who I've not seen in about 2 years!

Some may say that we are mad, some may say we are totally mad, but hey ho in the words of Robbie Williams and Kylie we're "doing it for the kids"!!

We have totally amazed ourselves by actually reaching our sponsorship total of £1500 in just 4 weeks. How we managed we really don't know! We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has help so far, and if you still want to donate it's not too late www.justgiving.com/theitalianjobteam20 !!

We think (!) we have everything sorted. Well Becky & Dave have got Gue ready to go, and we've got our passports and posh dresses for the formal dinner in Rome - do we need anything else?!

We're going to try and update this blog daily, for all the great family and friends who have supported us, so keep coming back to see if we managed it! Silverfox - I'm not that great at song titles, but we'll "try"