With the two Jimnys safely tucked up in a container and on their way to Vancouver, I took the opportunity to dash off to Greece to meet up with my wife.  I needed to give her a kiss and a cuddle as I have not seen her for over two months, it doesn't do to let them get too used to being on their own, they may get to like it!

Anyway some weeks ago, I think it was when driving through Mongolia that I did something to my left hand, I don't know what I did exactly but I know it hurt at the time. Being the sort of person I am, and for the good of the project, I pushed the pain to one side and carried on as a good around the world driver does, regardless. However the time came to catch my flight to Athens via Moscow and to pack everything that I needed to take with me. First I put out for packing my real fur Yeti type knee length boots, my top coat and thick roll neck sweaters as they will be out of place in mid summer in Canada and the U.S and my foul weather gear now that the monsoon season has passed, that had to go as well. This lot and a number of other items when packed into my brightly coloured laundry bag totalled almost 20 kilos, just under my limit for the baggage hold.

I also had to take with me all the filming equipment in case it got nicked while the Jimnys were unguarded along with my mobile office (another bag) containing all my documents and papers that I need to look at when I can sit still for a few minutes. So there I am, my laundry bag that I swap hands to carry and the two other bags slung around my neck, people must have thought that I was vagrant trying to sneak on the plane.  Anyway lugging these bags on and off buses and planes took it's toll on my left hand, it had swollen and was hurting real bad. I put up with it for a day or two but after that I had to give in and go to the hospital. By this time my hand was in a bit of a mess and thought for sure they will have to remove it and replace it with a marine grade stainless steel hook.

While the Jimnys were being washed, decontaminated and loaded into their containers ready for their four week sea voyage, the home team where in Lymington making a presentation to Save the Children.

It seems a long time ago now, but it's only 8 weeks when Les and the crew were in Bensheim Germany receiving a cheque for 1000 Euros. Money that had been raised by the staff at Suzuki Bensheim in just one week to support The Ultimate Challenge. A brilliant effort and one greatly appreciated by Les and all the crew.

They've made it .... Southampton to Vladivostock in 8 weeks and 2 days.  Not a bad effort for the old guys.

Many doubted Les could pull this off, not only has he done it, he's done it in style, through trials and tribulations, good days and tough days.  He's done it all with a smile. We've only heard a small fraction of his tales so far and over the next few weeks while the Jimnys are on the water on their way to Vancouver, we'll hear many more.

WELL DONE LES AND ALL THE CREW!!

I want to also take this opportunity to publicly thank Suzuki .... this is what I wrote this morning to Alun Parry, who has been instrumental in backing Les throughout the Challenge .....

Hi Alun, I know the challenge is only halfway round but I just have to tell you this now ......... We thought all of you at Suzuki UK have been brilliant and have supported this challenge over and above what would normally be expected of a sponsor.  But added to that, the way Suzuki have supported Les across numerous countries all the way to Vladivostock, has just been fantastic, I am amazed at how all the dealerships have got behind the Challenge and supported Les with such enthusiasm.  They are all really a great credit to Suzuki.

Southampton, the start. From the left, Alun Parry, Les Carvall Guy Newman (Suzuki Totton)