Story

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

To celebrate abc recruitment services' 7th year in business (in April 2009), my school mate (Matt) and I are doing a 7 countries in 7 days motorbike trip leaving on 20th March 2009.

The trip was only planned on 8th March so we are still madly scrambling to get organised for the trip whilst running full-time jobs and planning to raise as much money as we can in a very short timescale (asking a bit much maybe?... we're up for a challenge!)

The plan is to go from Scotland (Wales for Matt) - England - France - Belgium - Luxembourg - Germany - Holland and then head back through Belgium, France, England and finally bonnie Scotland – all in 7 days – bring it on!

Matt is a major outdoor pursuits fanatic and has used a jedi mind trick to get me to agree to camping in what is sure to be freezing, wet weather! I have packed an extra thick sleeping bag, thermals and a quality single speyside malt to keep the weather blues at bay.

The trip includes a visit to the world famous Nurburgring and of course at least a few laps round the 13 mile circuit littered with sport cars, sports bikes, buses?!? and 2 middle aged bikers with spare tyres! "Her indoors" has told me that I am not to try to set any lap records.....I can't come home without spanking Jeremy Clarkson's record... can I? I can promise to keep off the speyside the night before or I will try and do it on one wheel!

MacMillan Cancer Support have advised me that any funding I raise will go towards: a new specialist MacMillan nurse who will provide palliative care; patient grants for local people facing financial difficulties because of their diagnosis; funding a new chemotherapy service in Dumfriesshire.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Matt and I are paying for the whole trip out of our own pockets (because we are committed to the cause) so you can rest assured that 100% of any funds raised will go to MacMillan Cancer Support

I hope you agree this is a good cause and ask you to give whatever you can as all support is greatly appreciated.

We will try to keep the site updated as we do the trip so please save this page as a favourite and check on our travel progress and money raising progress regularly. We look forward to reading your comments!

A special thanks to Scotspeed Motorcycles in Dumfries for technical support!

UPDATE SECTION

12th March 2009 12pm - My (Clive) bike's going into Scotspeed today - it's not ill - it's just getting some extras fitted on it (my missus doesn't know yet but I'm sure she'll see the value in the investment!). It's going to be in until Monday 16th - Ian (MD of Scotspeed) is on a mission to get some special parts - I will upload the picture (of the bike) to this page when I get the bike back so you can see what's been done.

So far, have not done any "real work" today as I've been so busy with the sponsor work - getting some amazing support from my fantastic staff team, family, friends, contacts.... It's only been 1 days since this website has been up and we've collected around £200 already (including my sponsor sheet) - amazing!!! Thanks to everyone who has given so quickly so far!

I'm going to send an email out today to a number of contacts and then get some sponsor sheets out to willing helpers (thanks willing helpers!). After that I'd better do some real work or I might get the sack!

Am addicted to this site already as I keep seeing changes from kind people - your comments are really positive and giving us a real sense of purpose!

13th March 2009 12.29pm - Its a 7 day countdown now. Leaving 20th March. Finished work about 8.30pm last light after sending out (one by one because of a technical IT problem) a wad of emails to contacts.

Some very kind donaters have already given readily to the cause last night and this morning after receiving my email - thank you guys and thank you for your comments!

The MacMillan Charity contact (Angela McCormack) arranged for local press to come and take photos on Wednesday and today its going to be in the papers!!! I tried hard to suck my belly infor the pics but it'll need the experts at the papers to airbrush the bulge away!

It got worse when Eleanor (who works with me) suggested that I should put on the MacMillan Cancer Support T-shirt for the Courier/Annan Observer photo shoot. I had ordered Xtra Large size but it was more like a lime green boob tube by the time it was straddled over my chest!! The photo dilemna now was - do I show off the branded T-shirt to promote the cause and expose a Kilimanjaro sized stomach or do I minimise the advertising of the cause by hiding my green boob tubed gut behind the leather jacket - 1 - 0 to the cause!

MATT diary - 13th March 2009 - Lunchtime - I've managed to muscle in on my mates website in order to firstly thank those of you who have pledged some generous support as a result of my contacting you last week. This really has been a last minute plan and due to our extremely busy professional lives we have pulled this off at the last minute. I'm very grateful to you all.

It is worth pointing out that Clive and I have been riding bikes together for few years now but the fact that I've managed to convince him to stay under canvas is some measure of his commitment to the cause. I've actually told him that our tent has central heating, and he believed me! Still the cats out of the (sleeping) bag now but it's too late, the fool is committed to the trip and now has to live up to all your expectations! As the tension builds we are both keen to get going. Just got to book the good weather.......of purpose!

14th March 2009 2.41pm - For those who think i've forgotten to update my diary today - its not true - just couldn't get to the internet to load up this rhetoric! We have had good friends staying with us from Carlisle this weekend and we have been enjoying their fun, friendly company.

Today we have had even more, very generous donors who have selflessly given 2 the cause - muchos thankos 2 the kind folks of the world who are interested in our adventure.

Scotspeed confirmed my bike will be ready on Monday with some very personal work to accommodate my special needs - any

picture(s) should be uploaded on Monday!of purpose!

15th March 2009 1.27pm - Fantastic weather here today.... glorious sunshine, dry roads, motorbikes screaming past our house...and my bike's in Scotspeed!!! Aarrggghh!!!

Day off today with a bit of packing later on.

16th March 2009 5.59pm - As you can see from the new photo...the bike is ready for the off. Look at them spotlights!!! Been told that the battery might not cope - but hey...you've got have them on! Donna (my missus) is sure to be pleased with this investment.

When I went to collect the bike, I went through the high street and you'll never believe it....The Hairy Bikers were there filming a cooking programme. If there hadn't have been a crowd, I would have shouted over to them to see if they wanted to add a third hairy fat cook to their team. I was hurrying to collect my bike before Scotspeed shut, so the Hairy Bikers will just have to remain a twosome for now.

So my bike is now ready for the hi ho - just need to get the dustbins (panniers) loaded, tyre pressures checked, full tank of fuel, money, passport and we're off!*??*!!*$*

7.42pm - Late update - I felt I should take the bike for a test ride with the new spotlights - it would be rude not to! Boy...are those lights bright!

17th March 2009 5.21pm - No major news to report today. Weather's been fantastic - just hoping it will hold till we crossover from Dover to Calais. If it's like this for the journey down, I'll be made up! There's a possibility we might make an 8th, 9th or 10th country - if anyone adds a comment/donation encouraging us - there's a good chance...Italy, Poland, Greece, Czech Republic, hmmm!!!

18th March 2009 6.13pm - Wahay!!! At £595 funds raised so far - am really pleased with the whole support from all you supporters - thank you so much - I'm really hopeful we might hit the target now!!! Hoping to see us cross the £600 barrier tonight - it will give me a good lift to see that - if it happens?!?

Weather's been fantastic today - I have to admit to looking out from work and pining for an hour's blast on the bike - but work comes first and I'll just have to wait till my trip.

Got my music sorted out for the trip - I've got an MP3 and headphones so I can listen to music whilst I'm travelling. So I've got Kings of Leon, Elbow, Faithless, Led Zep (just to name a few) for the trip down; I've got some Rage Against the Machine for the Nurburgring; and a slice of Goldfrapp for chilling out with a wee beer at night - speakers also available so Matt can listen to quality sounds round the camp fire!

Really excited now - just can't wait to set off and explore. I think I'll have dry(ish) roads for my trip down to Dover which is all I ask for so we can definitely get safely into Europe. I'm crossing fingers for the weather over there - if anyone can do an Indian sundance...now's the time!

Footnote for Jan & John (kind sponsors below): errr.... if you think I'm mountainbiking it round Europe!!!......no chance!!!....Matt'd like me to but I'd be too tired to lift a beer glass at night...so sorry but a strict diet of unleaded 95 Ron will be my daily tipple - nice thought though!

19th March 2009 8.15am - Tremendous - thanks to yesterdays donors we have breached the £600 barrier and now (hopefully) hurtling to £700. As you can see it's an early diary entry because TOMORROW ITS D-DAY!!!!

I don't know if there is anyone out there reading these notes (apart from my sister in law Wendy who is also addicted) so I think a competition is in order - any feedback by email /text or donation will help me realise I am not just talking to myself. Speak to you later.

Hi to Gayle, Carl & wee'un!

Competition – To make this challenge a bit more fun and to show our appreciation, we thought it would be nice to give something back to you good donors out there.

So, I am putting up a goodie gift (surprise goodie to be collected on my travels around the countries of double figure value!) for the person who guesses the closest time for my best lap time round the Nurburgring. It is a 13 mile track so it will be down to your best guesstimate!

To do this, please donate to this great cause (the minimum donation is £2) and in your comment enter the time in minutes and seconds that you think I will achieve. Your guesstimate laptime must be unique (i.e. not guessed by another donor before your guess). All guesses are listed below in the donor comments section for you to check other donors guesstimate time.

If you are not local to me, I will pay for the posting of the prize to your address providing you send it to me at info@abcrecruitment.net

The actual laptime will be posted on this site on the day we get to Nurburgring and do our laps! Good luck to all you gamblers out there!!!!

anyone adds a comment/donation encouraging us - there's a good chance...Italy, Poland, Greece, Czech Republic, hmmm!!!

Day 1 - 20th March 2009 8.46am - The Off!!! Just 3 countries today - Scotland, England & Wales. Staying at Matt's gaff tonight for a curry and banter. Weather's mild, roads are dry, there's meant to be sunshine later....what more can I say - HAPPY DAYS!

Will miss my wife but will be in regular touch with her. She is taking over the website editing and I'll be emailing her our daily events and clowning around along with "live" pictures of our road trip. I raise a beer to all you fellow petrolheads especially bikers. VVVVVVRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOMMMMMM (that's me on my way)!

Day 2 - 21st March 2009 9.30pm
Did about 300 miles today to Dover. Roads were fantastic. Wales is so beautiful - if you haven't been - you must go - north/south - its all so beautiful.

Bladded the bikes at a consistent ***mph. At some stages we were side by side - it was like CHiPs with officer Poncho and the other one (Matt was Poncho!).

Got to (Ben) Dover about 4pm and boarded safely. On the ferry, a man sitting opposite us started staring at Matt...Matt felt quite worried about it. His state changed to alarmed when another passenger moved and he then slid closer. One more slide and he was right next to us asking about our throbbing machines.

Matt played his trump card and said he couldn't hear because of the engine noise (the b*****d)! I was stuck with him. Before you knew it he invited us to stay at his house in Belgium. I told him my wife wouldn't approve - thank god we pulled into port - we ran away!

We arrived safely in Calais and i'm driving Matt mental already by saying everything with an outrageous french accent! He'll live. Just wait till we get to Germany!!! Over & out.

Day 3 - 22nd March 2009 8.55pm

"Always start with the end in mind"

Despite the title of todays blog we are still not sure where we are or where we are going. Each leg of the journey so far has been accomplished by feeding random coordinates into Clives Gps SatNav contraption thingy.

This has produced a fantastic 250 miles of northern France. No tollroads, just miles of open countryside, unfeasably long straights and the biggest sky. It was like riding through Kansas, especially as Clive was wearing a gingham pinafore dress, red shoes and kept muttering "there's no place like home...."

Still, even though we passed lots of war graves our spirits are high as we pass the evening in sleepy Charleville Meziers. It's shut on a Sunday so our biggest cultural event of the day was being scolded by a traffic warden!

We are currently blending in the only open bar in town, we are the only customers and the barman is watching wrestling on the internet. I feel another beer coming on... Roll on Germany. Clive says he could murder a good sausage...?

Day 4 - 23rd March 2009 10.15pm

Late for breakfast this morning & the french woman on reception wasn't happy - it was the most begrudged breakfast we've ever ate! For revenge we left crumbs on the table. Rock 'n' Roll!

We left Charleville Meziers with a sense of relief, having managed to outpace the furious receptionist. She hung on for the first km or so but even cross french women are no match for a 1000cc motorbike at full chat! We enjoyed taking back roads through forests running along rivers - it was beautiful. Clive missed crossing into Belgium cos he expected border controls - what border control? There was only some roadkill and it wasn't even in uniform.... We took some pics then continued.

Belgium was a bit run down looking with many houses having exterior wall tiles. Luxembourg by massive contrast was lovely. It was very clean everywhere - even the farms were spanking. The houses were all very, very smart with some drawing great envy. Petrol was 20 cents cheaper - pity we had just filled up in
Belgium!!!

Before you knew it we had crossed into Germany & hurtling to the Nurburgring. Got to a roadblock so SatNav Annie took us on a detour including some green laning, which was nice, then it started raining!

By the time we got to The Nurburgring it was a good, constant rain (we had broke out the waterproofs for the first time of the road trip!).Aaah the smell of damp leather.

Found somewhere to stay after 6 hours of driving. Unfortunately the planned hostel was full so we upgraded, had a hot shower, got some "normal clothes" on and went out for food - it started snowing!!!!! Wether we get access to 'The Ring' tomorrow is yet to be seen given the conditions so the world main event of our trip is hanging in the balance. Clive is looking very suspiciously at his wiener schnitzel and Matts omlette has a tuetonic look to it that creates mild apprehension. We are surely global travellers.....

Day 5 - 24th March 2009 - 9.00pm

In true blue German style, I feasted on Wiener schnitzel last night to celebrate our arrival in Germany. Only Bitbürger's finest lager was served to wash down the fries and..err..salad (drenched in Germany's unique.....sauce?!?).

When finally the young waitress realised that we were not leaving our towels on the quality wicker furniture, did we get the hint - we were the last to be recommended the bill. Even cuba libra could not rekindle the golden nectar "vom faß" so back to raid the mini bar, douse it with a flagon of mp3's greatest music along with a deep debate about Matt's impending visit to the Belgium man (of the 1st night) dressed in his newly purchased lederhösen.(This last bit is lies - Matt ;op )

The hotel was a reject from a 70's era that had missed the Y2K thing. Just think of any hotel you've been to in the highlands and add cigarette smoke and picture Heidi with pigtails & you now know the gig(at least for that moment!).

I wasn't disappointed to see Germany's breakfast selection in the morning. There was more wurst than a wurst convention being held in 'allo allo' on wurst weekend (yes, and weekend in this instance is pronounced with a v!!). There was bockwurst (like pate), liverwurst (liver), knockwurst (no guess there...) and blutwurst....?!????**!?? I asked if they had spamwurst, but I got a blank look :-o

The layer of hailstones on the track were glistening like the tears of disapointment on Clives cheeks in the watery sunshine as we both realised that a lap of the 'Green Hell' in sub-zero conditions was a fools erand. As my dear old dad said to me once "it's better to be slightly later than planned in this world than earlier than planned in the next" so
Nurburgring was a total no no because of the inclement conditions. "Adapt and overcome" is my motto and so we saw the good side of this and are now planning a return trip...Now before you reach for your wallet with a bead of sweat chilling on your eyebrow, stop! We will do this 1 for love, not charity!

Nothing else for it but to bug out west for fairer weather and track down the elusive personality of Belgians. Ils ont arrive a la Antwerp! At least it's stopped @#$%@#$ snowing-wooohoo!

Day 6 - 25th March 2009 - 10.20pm

We have enjoyed the charms of Antwerp for a day. It's been good to take a moment to reflect on our journey so far. We've been lucky to see wonderful scenery - unspoilt forests, winding rivers with solo canoeists and very few cars or bikes to impede our progress as we hurtled along at speeds that would make mere mortals squeal like pigs on a honeymoon, luckily we have the skills to operate at such edges of human endeavour. (There, still was a little bit of squealing at some points...)
So due to the tiring riding and the cold conditions we have decided to hole up for a day of rest.Today has been spent in a procession of cool cafes. Much paper reading was done and we even spent an hour sipping cappucino and watching the figure skating on eurosport (bored?us? surely not) We need to move on before we start to have designs on sequined costumes (Think Clive already has actually! - Matt). Calais is tomorrows destination via who knows where. I love setting random waypoints into the SatNav. We've seen some great roads this way. So here's to the road and may the force be with us.

No new photo of today's activity as we didn't think you'd appreciate pictures of us drinking tankards of belgium ale...instead we thought a picture of Doctor Evil (from Brugge)in his eviltastic chair (McDonalds restaurant, France) was more fitting. Sadly he couldn't keep the cat on his lap - never work with children or animals or even 'animal-children' hybrid mutants. ?????

Day 7 - 26th March 2009 - 10.00pm

Matt Blog....
So, another day dawns on the 7 days and 7 countries extravaganza. To say today was moist was like saying Ronnie Corbett is a bit wee. It was wetter than a haddocks bathing costume as we hit the A40 south (ish) to Calais from Antwerp (via Brugge because SatNav Annie was on a schmoke and a pancake break!). 6 Hours in deep spray, low vis and high winds - must have been last nights curry! But seriously folks, we are safely back in Calais and await our early (7 am - ouch!) ferry back to dearest blighty and the cultural calm of (ben) Dover and the M20 north west heading for the rightful capital City of GB - yep, you guessed it - St Davids in lovely sunny Pembrokeshire. The bikes are dirty than a $20 dollar whore and Matts leather pants are likely to be quarantined on entry to the UK, not like Clives green Macmillan Research T shirt which is still pristine awaiting the media event on his return to Dumfies and the arms of his lovely wife (Donna, get the kettle on!)

Clive Blog...
Well miss world, what can I say....even 'seal skins' socks couldn't assuage the onslaught of a kippper who was wetter than Cliff Richard immersing himself in contest with Marti Pillow(Wet Wet Wet) at a Shamu show in Florida. That's how hard the rain fell today! I'm not joking!

Can't tell you how bad the roads were today, suffice to say we survived rains that would flood Africa and winds that Dorothy would use to launch her house in Oz. Now holed up (not for the 1st time:-)) in Calais. Buffalo Grill is serving us France's finest grills that surely nowhere could possibly produce (I lie like a cheap wristwatch!).

You can't keep a good man down though (just ask Healey) and we are drowning in a sea of strong, French coffee, brandy and moments of laughter hysteria (this is a gr8 metaphor of our friendship). We are very happy and as usual talking the worlds finest b****llocks. Hi 5!

Extra Blog

On a more serious note! I (Donna) sent an e-mail to BBC Radio 1 in the hope of getting a mention for the boys adventure to try and further boost the fund raising - unfortunately we received a standard bounce back e-mail saying that due to the volume of e-mails received that the e-mail may not be read or actioned, however the gruesome two-some draughted up this reply!! (not sent of course - just to give you an extra giggle)!!!

Dear Ms Whiley,

Sorry you couldn't respond to us in time for event!

We are delighted though that Jimmy Saville came in your place. He gave us gold badges & a big cigar and a waffle. Matt tried to emulate his catchphrase (he was sh**te - nevermind!)

Jimmy left us in his wake with 2 blonds astride him heading North,(alledgedly to Holland), in his Aston Martin muttering something about a bong & a blitzen (Goldmember)- it's good to know that charity money isn't wasted on administration!

END OF OUR FANTABULOUS TRIP! - Final Blog

That’s us both in safe and sound – back at our own homes.

The day started at 6am (5am GMT) and it was a struggle to waken. When we arrived at McDonalds, Calais last night (frozen and startled we had survived one of our worst days riding), we had promised (as we had on other nights unsuccessfully) that we get an early night as we had an early start and lots of miles to put in today.

Buffalo Grill was the restaurant of choice last night (as it was the only one within walking distance). Despite our earlier promise, somehow a bottle of Caribbean rum was teleported into our supermarket shopping basket along with his friends Coke and Cola.

We got into serious debate over a bison that never saw his fate of being accompanied by frites and sauce au poivre, however, as soon as we took to writing the daily blog and received our second vin de table, we released the shackles holding down our inner silliness to serve up a portion of creative writing that is sure to receive critical acclaim when we pass to the next world.

When we got back to the Formule 1 hotel, we got onto talking about our trip, our bikes and listening to Matt’s mp3 choice. We toasted our many, many laughs with the mysterious Rum, Coke and Cola. Having liberated Cuba, we crashed at 2am!!!

So, today, we got to the Ferry port and we were hanging! We mounted the ferry and breakfast was becoming a critical mission. A fry up of P&O’s finest served on a bed of the Channel’s green, murky, choppy seas led us to leave half the breakfast (nothing to do with the rum, honest!).

A plot was quickly hatched to add some extra zzzz’s to the ones that were robbed the previous night. There were no recliners despite searching everywhere in the ship. We then walked by the kids play area which was deserted as there were none on board, so I took the fixed seating bench and Matt got the floor.

Zzzz’s were caught up and we were launched in Dover like ballistic missiles soaring up the M20 at 9am (GMT). Before you knew it we divided (and conquered) the M25 – Matt going south to M4 and me looking for the M1. On my first fuel stop, Matt rang me and told me that somehow his 2 waterproof bags containing all his camping kit, sleeping bags, etc., had come loose from the cargo net holding them down – they were lost, permanently. I felt really sorry especially as we had not camped once.

I arrived home at 5.15pm, totally knackered but very, very happy to see Donna.

So folk(s) – that’s a wrap – all done – 7 countries in 7 days. We have had an absolute blast. Thank you to all you very kind people (all named below) who have donated, thanks to all you folks who have sponsored us via sponsor sheets, thanks to all those who have taken time to read our daily blogs (we hope you laughed with us (if you get our sense of humour)), thanks to the support of our work colleagues who have been of great support and finally thanks to Donna and Ellen who put up with best and worst of our antics.

For those (if there are any) holding back donating/sponsoring us until you knew we have fulfilled our 7 countries in 7 days mission, please know we did 8 countries in 7 days so an extra big donation PRETTY PLEASE!?!

For those with sponsor sheets, I do not need them until 11^th April as I understand that some people prefer to give after the event. If you send the form direct to MacMillan Cancer Support – please get me a message to let me know how much was collected - I will post the final, total amount raised on this website for those who are curious. Matt tells me I am a “media tart”! and even though I protest my innocence I am sure the MacMillan Cancer Support representative will organise some press coverage which is sure to invoke another assault of ferocious taunting from him.

Special Note - I found a little bear in the play area on the ferry and had to photo it as proof – it is today’s photo!