england: journal

loughton - 26th april

with nearly a year of planning, there is now just 6 weeks to go before we head off. neither of us knows if we are ahead of where we should be by now or behind but we both realise that there are still many nuts to tighten, many lists to be written and items to be bought before the boxes can be packed and loaded. and the land rover, after all the weekends that have been spent on it, it still requires a new gearbox, a twin battery system to be put in, an uprated suspension, and a decision made on whether we really need that additional fuel tank...good news is that it looks as if the bank has sorted us out with the carnet. it is beginning to feel that time isn't on our side but we have set the date and we are going to make it come rain or shine.

loughton - 12th may

thanks to everyone visiting the site - we hope you're all enjoying it. you can expect to see pics of the land rover soon and an improved front page. so how's progress - well, the ferry's booked (a night crossing) for the 8th june (our wedding anniversary) so we've got a deadline now, and we're already rushing to meet it. we're well and truly into the stress zone now. the budget's getting tight, there's lots to be bought and lots to do. we're both still working days whilst spending the evenings sorting out the house and the website and the weekends under the land rover. we're trying to keep our social lives quiet, but we're getting into the rounds of farewell drinks.

 
claire, epping forest

loughton - 5th june

not long to go now and we're both feeling pretty excited. in this last week, the land rover has been receiving even more attention than usual after discovering the head gasket was blown, a leaking brake line and a water pump that was on its last legs - best that we found this out now rather than on the way down to africa. thanks to john norman at brunel garage for sorting the above out for us. we also decided, after much deliberation, to up-rate the suspension and had 'old man emu' fitted - again, thanks are due to tbruk for giving their bank holiday up to do this. farewells to family, friends and colleagues have almost reached their end now. if you're reading this then thanks for all the warm wishes, encouragement and words of advice - maybe we'll even see some of you along the way! please do keep us updated with the low-down on what's happening back at home.

'the beast' is what we have taken to calling the land rover as it seems to just get bigger, higher and wider as the days go on. as i write this andy and his dad are under the front fitting the latest modification - a new winch bumper - and sawing into the steering guard, bumper and mounting brackets to make room. [no easy task I've been told]. this vehicle will be ready for africa by tuesday. right, just a house to pack and rent! wish us luck! p.s. if anyone has successfully removed an XZY tubeless tyre from its rim and put it back on again then we would love to hear from you.

loughton - 8th june

we're off…no time to talk.

 
claire, epping forest

england: accomodation

england: other info

entry checks: none (if you're english!)

costs: diesel 80.1 pence a litre; a pint in the local £2.70

must sees: epping forest; the victoria tavern