There are a few clips of Shrek on this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iciRDFIhzXo
Fruit
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Shrek
Link to a vid of shrek doing what he is designed to do ;o)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyZvW5m0RRU&feature=related
Fruit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyZvW5m0RRU&feature=related
Fruit
Monday 29 March 2010
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Tuareg Part 2
So the Dune race over and only three more stages to go. Two long days in Morocco and a final stage in Spain. During our last attempt at the Tuareg rally these were the most stressful stages as we nursed our broken car northwards.
This time we were in a great car and in good spirits. After our roll and success in the dune race were placed third in the amateur class and determined not to lose it. During the 6th stage to Missor we crossed the dunes, gambling on track tyre pressures to avoid the need for a stop to inflate. Shrek took it all in his stride delivering us to the secret check point after the dunes, at which point one of his eyes fell out, well ok a headlight. This carefully stowed we charged through the stage with no mishaps.
Inch perfect navigation led us to the road section through the Gorge de Ziz which is really impressive. We were on a bit of a mission and passed the Rally Raid Truck along with many others on route.
On arriving in Missor we fuelled up, zip tied the headlight back in and did a couple of minor adjustments before finding our tent for the night. Fed on omelettes and Moroccan bread we slept well.
The last African stage started by crossing the bridge which had failed earlier in the week. The repair was basic but effective, several bucket loads of rocks dumped in the river. Everyone was in good spirits including the local kids who seemed intent upon exploiting the last blagging opportunities to the max.
A very fast track stage proved largely uneventful for us, but was painful for two Belgians in their new soft top Defender SVX. Their skid and resulting crash was the talk of the docks later when everyone came to admire the newly dented panels and off centre axles, ouch.
Our biggest problem was motorbikes and there were loads of them, we overtook 20 on the track and more at checkpoints. At one point one stopped at a drop into a Oued directly in front of us leaving us with a choice of wiping him out or a 4' jump into the river bed, there's no blood on the car so you can see which option we took. The navigation stages were very picturesque as we entered the greener valleys closer to the coast, much of it quite like the mountains of home, but quieter.
Immediately upon leaving the nav stages it started to rain or should I say RAIN. It was great for us to clean the car after the muddy tracks, but was pretty tough on the bikers who faced a 4 hour wait in the port in wet gear. When we arrived in Nador the roads were like rivers, up to a foot deep in places, really quite exciting! An early load onto the ferry meant we got a full 8 hours sleep before the final stage in Spain, luxury.
The early part of the day was about 50km on roads followed by a very spectacular hair-pinned route up to 800m altitude. The descent was similarly spectacular, but off road. Such was the effectiveness of Lorna's navigation that we passed 5 cars on this section and although it was a nav stage, thus not timed, it was pleasing.
The final special was a 2km sprint down a dry river bed to the sea. We lined up and we set off at 30 second intervals. I was out for a result again and set off with a will, just like everyone else I suspect. When we arrived at the end we were able to relax at the beach for a couple of hours before having some fun at Ben's expense and driving to the Hotel, where two more surprises awaited us.
Firstly the stage result; Amateur and Pro winning times were exactly the same to a 100th of a second, so Paul and I had tied, what a way to end the race. Secondly Martin 'off the telly' decided it would be fun to do a duet at the prize giving. So with about one and a half hours to go we got together, sorted out words and music. I played another song before our double act and a sympathetic audience gave us great support.
So prize in hand, third place, and a victory in every stage but one - you remember that one ;o) - I finally gave in to fatigue and was forced to seek out my bed whilst the lady without her clothes entertained the bikers.
Another Tuareg over, another crash and another trophy, new friendships made, old ones strengthened. However much I hate this sport I love it. What next, any suggestions? Meanwhile I have some training to do for a 175km bike race at the end of June, oh and some work to do too. A busy life is a good one I guess.
Cheers
Fruit and Lorna
This time we were in a great car and in good spirits. After our roll and success in the dune race were placed third in the amateur class and determined not to lose it. During the 6th stage to Missor we crossed the dunes, gambling on track tyre pressures to avoid the need for a stop to inflate. Shrek took it all in his stride delivering us to the secret check point after the dunes, at which point one of his eyes fell out, well ok a headlight. This carefully stowed we charged through the stage with no mishaps.
Inch perfect navigation led us to the road section through the Gorge de Ziz which is really impressive. We were on a bit of a mission and passed the Rally Raid Truck along with many others on route.
On arriving in Missor we fuelled up, zip tied the headlight back in and did a couple of minor adjustments before finding our tent for the night. Fed on omelettes and Moroccan bread we slept well.
The last African stage started by crossing the bridge which had failed earlier in the week. The repair was basic but effective, several bucket loads of rocks dumped in the river. Everyone was in good spirits including the local kids who seemed intent upon exploiting the last blagging opportunities to the max.
A very fast track stage proved largely uneventful for us, but was painful for two Belgians in their new soft top Defender SVX. Their skid and resulting crash was the talk of the docks later when everyone came to admire the newly dented panels and off centre axles, ouch.
Our biggest problem was motorbikes and there were loads of them, we overtook 20 on the track and more at checkpoints. At one point one stopped at a drop into a Oued directly in front of us leaving us with a choice of wiping him out or a 4' jump into the river bed, there's no blood on the car so you can see which option we took. The navigation stages were very picturesque as we entered the greener valleys closer to the coast, much of it quite like the mountains of home, but quieter.
Immediately upon leaving the nav stages it started to rain or should I say RAIN. It was great for us to clean the car after the muddy tracks, but was pretty tough on the bikers who faced a 4 hour wait in the port in wet gear. When we arrived in Nador the roads were like rivers, up to a foot deep in places, really quite exciting! An early load onto the ferry meant we got a full 8 hours sleep before the final stage in Spain, luxury.
The early part of the day was about 50km on roads followed by a very spectacular hair-pinned route up to 800m altitude. The descent was similarly spectacular, but off road. Such was the effectiveness of Lorna's navigation that we passed 5 cars on this section and although it was a nav stage, thus not timed, it was pleasing.
The final special was a 2km sprint down a dry river bed to the sea. We lined up and we set off at 30 second intervals. I was out for a result again and set off with a will, just like everyone else I suspect. When we arrived at the end we were able to relax at the beach for a couple of hours before having some fun at Ben's expense and driving to the Hotel, where two more surprises awaited us.
Firstly the stage result; Amateur and Pro winning times were exactly the same to a 100th of a second, so Paul and I had tied, what a way to end the race. Secondly Martin 'off the telly' decided it would be fun to do a duet at the prize giving. So with about one and a half hours to go we got together, sorted out words and music. I played another song before our double act and a sympathetic audience gave us great support.
So prize in hand, third place, and a victory in every stage but one - you remember that one ;o) - I finally gave in to fatigue and was forced to seek out my bed whilst the lady without her clothes entertained the bikers.
Another Tuareg over, another crash and another trophy, new friendships made, old ones strengthened. However much I hate this sport I love it. What next, any suggestions? Meanwhile I have some training to do for a 175km bike race at the end of June, oh and some work to do too. A busy life is a good one I guess.
Cheers
Fruit and Lorna
Friday 19 March 2010
Tuareg Rally 1st 5 days
After the usual chaos of the boat crossing we were in Africa. Nador is really very similar to a scruffy southern European town gone to seed.
We got our time cards and set off The stage added up to about 400km ending in Missor. It was a mix of navigation stages, where you have a time limit to get to the end, a special, where you are timed, and road sections. The terrain in N morocco is rough and it is an opportunity to find out what is loose on your car, fortunately we went through ok. The final special was cancelled due to a flodded river.
In the evening we handed over a rally box full of trainers to the locals along with a couple of footballs and some sport kit. This will no doubt find good homes amongst the local younsters. If you are passing through look out for the kids in Crewe Alex and Nantwich Town kit
During the night, as we slept in our tent with 20 bikers, the river did its stuff on the local bridge leaving us with the choice of a swim across or a long diversion to reach the days first special stage.
The bridge problems meant that we were 3 hours delayed, the end cut off time to start the final special was moved back by 5 minutes so it was 'get your skates on' time. The first special went well with no dramas. The following nav stage was really rough 50km of tracks that made Cheshire roads look like silk. at the end of the Nav stage we had 1 hour to cover 100km, on road, but with many villages where we had to slow down to 60 or less. If we missed the start of the special we would get a 2 hour penalty, It was a bit of a rush but we made it with 3 minutes to spare thus being one of only 2 cars to get through. This put us nicely in 1st place as we reached Merzouga.
Stage 3 "Three Ergs", all special for 170km. This was a mixed stage that required raising and lowering of tyre pressures at regular intervals. By now the temperature was feeling more desert than at the much higher Missor and running about in race suits soon got the sweat going.
Another straight forword stage, but wierdly we found a mobile phone lying on a dune in the middle of nowhere. Still in first place and cruising.
The King Stage and for us a day of drama. On this stage we went into the big dunes of Erg Chebbi and they are massive. 2km from the start we crested a dune to find a motorcyclist who had obviously had a big one. We stopped with a couple of others and did all the emergency stuff, marking the location on GPS, calling assistance and rendering first aid. We later found out he was Italian had hurt his back and wouldn't lie still. They don't teach you restraint techniques on any first aid course I haver ever been on. He wanted to move about and we had quite a job keeping him still meanwhile Lorna directed traffic at the top of the dune.
Eventually doctors arrived and we assisted them, the final diagnosis being broken ribs anbd a splattered nose. After pushing the doctor's car we set off again, dead last.
After about 10km we crested a dune and missed a camel by about a metre, lucky break for both of us!
After about 30km, of what is undoubtable buttock clenching driving, I took a left or right decision at the top of a dune, one of thousands, but this one was to end with a bump.
Directly in front of me was a 10 foot wide clump of camel grass, believe me you would rather hit a camel than this stuff, I avoided it to the left before seing, emerging behind it, some rocks so further right I traversed. Traversing is fun on a crag, but in dunes it is one step away from a crash. The downhill wheels dig in and it is easy to roll, As we reached the foot of the dune the car did just that. Slowly and gently, lay down on its right side.
So began a long day in the desert. It was mid day and too hot to dig, so we built a tent and waited. We got word to the Orga but knew they would be busy and we weren't a medical emergency. It was very calm at the bottom of our dune and we napped between waving OK to passing vehicles.
At about 4.30 it was cool enough to dig and dig we did until about 7pm. A collection of bikers from the orga arrive armed with shovels and lashings of good cheer. We did lots of things with jacks that went against HSE guidance, but after 3 hours of graft the car was righted with startlingly little dammage. A quick check over and a fantastic sunset drive out of the dunes flat out to avoid being stuck in the dark. We slept well that night. Overall it was a disappointment to loose 1st place but we had come out of it pretty well.
Friday brought us to the dune race. A mad flat out race around the Big dune at Erg Chebbi. 18km laps, 2 for us 4 for the pros as fast as you dare. This was where we had our now infamous flip and we didn't want any disaters this time. Except for shedding a tyre half way through and having a tough landing or two it was pretty starightforward. Oh and the wing fell off partly caused by yesterdays events and added to by today's.
We have been kept running by a great crew from Rally Raid, headed by Chris who trys to keep Pally and Ian under control. What these guys achieve is incredible. Another Warrior, driven by Izhar, had a big roll and looked quite a wreck on the King Stage, 24 hours later it is ready to race again.
After all these events we were placed third in class. Hopefully we can hold onto this until Spain but time will tell.
Fruit
We got our time cards and set off The stage added up to about 400km ending in Missor. It was a mix of navigation stages, where you have a time limit to get to the end, a special, where you are timed, and road sections. The terrain in N morocco is rough and it is an opportunity to find out what is loose on your car, fortunately we went through ok. The final special was cancelled due to a flodded river.
In the evening we handed over a rally box full of trainers to the locals along with a couple of footballs and some sport kit. This will no doubt find good homes amongst the local younsters. If you are passing through look out for the kids in Crewe Alex and Nantwich Town kit
During the night, as we slept in our tent with 20 bikers, the river did its stuff on the local bridge leaving us with the choice of a swim across or a long diversion to reach the days first special stage.
The bridge problems meant that we were 3 hours delayed, the end cut off time to start the final special was moved back by 5 minutes so it was 'get your skates on' time. The first special went well with no dramas. The following nav stage was really rough 50km of tracks that made Cheshire roads look like silk. at the end of the Nav stage we had 1 hour to cover 100km, on road, but with many villages where we had to slow down to 60 or less. If we missed the start of the special we would get a 2 hour penalty, It was a bit of a rush but we made it with 3 minutes to spare thus being one of only 2 cars to get through. This put us nicely in 1st place as we reached Merzouga.
Stage 3 "Three Ergs", all special for 170km. This was a mixed stage that required raising and lowering of tyre pressures at regular intervals. By now the temperature was feeling more desert than at the much higher Missor and running about in race suits soon got the sweat going.
Another straight forword stage, but wierdly we found a mobile phone lying on a dune in the middle of nowhere. Still in first place and cruising.
The King Stage and for us a day of drama. On this stage we went into the big dunes of Erg Chebbi and they are massive. 2km from the start we crested a dune to find a motorcyclist who had obviously had a big one. We stopped with a couple of others and did all the emergency stuff, marking the location on GPS, calling assistance and rendering first aid. We later found out he was Italian had hurt his back and wouldn't lie still. They don't teach you restraint techniques on any first aid course I haver ever been on. He wanted to move about and we had quite a job keeping him still meanwhile Lorna directed traffic at the top of the dune.
Eventually doctors arrived and we assisted them, the final diagnosis being broken ribs anbd a splattered nose. After pushing the doctor's car we set off again, dead last.
After about 10km we crested a dune and missed a camel by about a metre, lucky break for both of us!
After about 30km, of what is undoubtable buttock clenching driving, I took a left or right decision at the top of a dune, one of thousands, but this one was to end with a bump.
Directly in front of me was a 10 foot wide clump of camel grass, believe me you would rather hit a camel than this stuff, I avoided it to the left before seing, emerging behind it, some rocks so further right I traversed. Traversing is fun on a crag, but in dunes it is one step away from a crash. The downhill wheels dig in and it is easy to roll, As we reached the foot of the dune the car did just that. Slowly and gently, lay down on its right side.
So began a long day in the desert. It was mid day and too hot to dig, so we built a tent and waited. We got word to the Orga but knew they would be busy and we weren't a medical emergency. It was very calm at the bottom of our dune and we napped between waving OK to passing vehicles.
At about 4.30 it was cool enough to dig and dig we did until about 7pm. A collection of bikers from the orga arrive armed with shovels and lashings of good cheer. We did lots of things with jacks that went against HSE guidance, but after 3 hours of graft the car was righted with startlingly little dammage. A quick check over and a fantastic sunset drive out of the dunes flat out to avoid being stuck in the dark. We slept well that night. Overall it was a disappointment to loose 1st place but we had come out of it pretty well.
Friday brought us to the dune race. A mad flat out race around the Big dune at Erg Chebbi. 18km laps, 2 for us 4 for the pros as fast as you dare. This was where we had our now infamous flip and we didn't want any disaters this time. Except for shedding a tyre half way through and having a tough landing or two it was pretty starightforward. Oh and the wing fell off partly caused by yesterdays events and added to by today's.
We have been kept running by a great crew from Rally Raid, headed by Chris who trys to keep Pally and Ian under control. What these guys achieve is incredible. Another Warrior, driven by Izhar, had a big roll and looked quite a wreck on the King Stage, 24 hours later it is ready to race again.
After all these events we were placed third in class. Hopefully we can hold onto this until Spain but time will tell.
Fruit
Saturday 13 March 2010
Waiting for the Rally to Start
We are now waiting in the Marina Playa Hotel in Mojacar for things to kick off. Tomorrow we set off to the docks then wait for a ferry. Finally Monday we will get to race. In the mean time this is like a school reunion. Rally drivers, riders and support teams are arriving from all over Europe. Its a great time before it gets a little serious. We had a minor problem with a brake ligt switch earielr today but that was solved with a squirt of WD 40. Apparently we are leading the damage and repairs competition in the Rally Raid camp. Hopefully we will win with that, if so it will have been an easy rally for everyone. There are three cars like ours all parked next to each other, quite a sight. Ah well nothing much to report so I'll stop now, more info when we have it. Cheers Fruit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRoL4E1lp8 www.upandundergoup.com |
Thursday 11 March 2010
Ready for the off
We fly tomorrow and take the ferry on Sunday - assuming the car arrives. As with all events of this type it has been a little fraught leading up to the off but we hope taht we are ready now.
Just before the car went Crewe Alex added some sport kit to the trainers we had collected from South Cheshire Harriers - see picture below.
Now it is a bit of a waiting game, registration and scruitineering on Sunday, ferry overnight then Africa.
If you have travelled on a cross channel ferry you would not recognise a ferry to Morocco. Firstly it takes all day to load, it is not full of shiney shops and the food is not cordon bleau, BUT it does take you to the magical lands.
With luck scruitineering will be the normal lights on, lights off type of thing then by mid morning Sunday we will be racing. After that it will be full on for the next week.
Wish us lluck, feel free to comment on the posts and we'll try to get as much as possible up during the race.
Fruit
Sunday 7 March 2010
Tuareg 2010
Ok I know it has been a while since I posted something, but that is rallying, calm followed by total panic. Latest news is that the car is on a transporter somewhere between Crewe and Almeria. We travel to Morocco on Sunday and start racing on Monday.
The race route is Nador, Missour, Mersouga, Missour, Nador, Almeria, Mojacar, finishing Monday 22nd March.
This year there is an added dimension as we are delivering sports shoes, equipment and kit to Missour for distribution to the local youngsters this has been coordinated by The Up and Under Foundation with assistance from the South Cheshire Harriers and Crewe Alex FC.
We hope to keep this page updated during the race with results and comments.
cheers
Fruit
The race route is Nador, Missour, Mersouga, Missour, Nador, Almeria, Mojacar, finishing Monday 22nd March.
This year there is an added dimension as we are delivering sports shoes, equipment and kit to Missour for distribution to the local youngsters this has been coordinated by The Up and Under Foundation with assistance from the South Cheshire Harriers and Crewe Alex FC.
We hope to keep this page updated during the race with results and comments.
cheers
Fruit
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)