Scoots 2013. The road to Bansang

Status
Not open for further replies.
These little bikes

Thanks all for the comments - very interesting.

I had not taken offence at all about the bikes not been prepared - however, aside from the worn tyre and the chains (one of which belonged to Dennis himself I thik that they all worked hard to ensure they were in the best state possible for the journey.

The fact that Steve's and Chris' had total rebuilds surely means that all the crud had been cleaned out - or not maybe:nenau

The point about whether they need the bikes or not is an interesting one. Dennis did say that they dont really need any more but some of the worse ones would be broken to use as spares. Personally I think that is sacrilege. Surely what they need are parts - plenty of them and someone to learn the skills to do the maintenance. Instead Dennis is desperate to raise the money to buy a tractor which will presumably go the same way as the bikes eventually. :(

:101
 
Dear Mrs. Bumhug,

Just to say thank you very much for your informed and witty journal of the Bansang travels.

As it happens I did exchange pm's with Dennis about joining this very trip, but decided against applying.

Of course if I had joined the merry band I could well have made it into your journal possibly with comments along the lines of -

"It seems they aren't making fast enough progress as the old bloke in the group insists on stopping for lunch every day"

Or even -

"It seems they're one down in the group now as there was a bit of a "discussion" this morning and we think the old fellow has turned round and is possibly making a break to return home".

But seriously, thanks again and he'll soon be back home now and all will be well in the world.
Nice cup of tea, that's what he'll need.
 
I know Dennis has a provisional date for another trip. This ride report hasn't put me off. Just look at those photos! :)
 
Ride reported - warts and all!

That is what you asked for and that is what you got!

Seriously folks - I think there is benefit in writing a daily blog as you get the ups with the downs. If you write it all after the event you do tend to only recall the better bits.

If anyone is planning to go on the next trip then I really do hope that you are one of those who can keep up with and impress Dennis - if you are not, then you will be in Andy's shoes (or should I say boots) and I have to say it does not sound like a good place to be. Of course you could have a repeat of the 2011 trip where they all rebelled..........................:nenau

:101
 
The end of the journey has come

They arrived at The bansang Hospital today to a fantastic welcome. People lined the streets and played music - drums were beaten as they travelled the last bit to the hospital. Andy keeps saying "they are all so friendly". :)

At the hospital they were whisked straight into the "party" and there were endless speeches and major back slapping. :clap

Unfortunately yet again they had virtually nothing to eat all day - an egg at breakfast and a piece of bread with a banana at lunch time. Andy phoned at 7pm and there was no sign of any food to be had. He felt unwell and so took himself off to the quiet eye ward to test his bloods - they were 18 - not good. When I was speaking to him he was taking insulin and waiting for it to work - he has called again and the insulin did work. He went back to the "party" where food was being served - he had a small amount. Eventually they went off to Bintou's Paradise Lodge - their home for the next few days, and they were presented with another meal! :blast

At least over the next few days he will be able to get himself sorted out - hopefully - and we can only hope that the last 3 weeks has done no lasting damage.

He must now give himself a "pat on the back" for doing this ride and getting there in one piece - it is a great achievement and he should be proud of himself - I know only too well that it has not been easy for him.

He said that the last 30 miles were very dusty and the worst roads yet. He and Joe at the back get the dust kicked up by the bikes in the front. Of course the truck gets the worst of it but Jon and Peter are safely enconsed behind a windsreen.

Joe had a puncture and Dennis was not too pleased to say the least as they were so close to the end of the trip. Andy said that he and Joe are just covered in dust whilst Dennis and Jill - travelling in the front of the convoy are still clean- relatively speaking. I think a shower will be most welcome.

I appreciate that the town and the hospital have been long awaiting this motley crew of C90s and their riders wth a jeep and trailer in tow but it would be good if they could have gone first to the accomodation in the town to have a shower.

At Bintou's Paradise Lodge they have rooms - one between two. It is pretty basic as you would expect. Andy got into the shower with his clothes on just to try to get rid of the dust. :eek:

I do not know how the Gambian people - especially the ladies - always look so stunning in their colourful clothes - with so much red dust everywhere.

Maybe we will get some photos tomorow - they should be quite interesting.

:101
 
Congratulations ...

... on a job well done :clap:clap:clap

I've done this trip (twice) and know exactly how demanding it can; now the hard part is over they can enjoy a few cool ones, and the difficulties experienced on the journey will now fade into their appropriate insignificance :thumb
 
... on a job well done :clap:clap:clap

I've done this trip (twice) and know exactly how demanding it can; now the hard part is over they can enjoy a few cool ones, and the difficulties experienced on the journey will now fade into their appropriate insignificance :thumb

What he said....great job :clap

PS Dennis rode at the back on the first trip :augie
 
Just a random comment:
Was the rest of the group and the group leader that unaware of Andy's health issues? That, plus one or two of the other comments made would certainly put me off ever joining such an adventure with this particular group leader. There should be an atmosphere of "we are all in this together" rather than the "I am alright, bugger you" that seems to be the case
 
What is it they say - this is Africa?

Yes, this is Africa - and I am so glad I am not there.

The place they are staying has lots of rooms but again the penny pinching means they have to share. There is no door to the room, there is not even a door to the toilet - just a curtain. No toilet seat and no water after about 2am. The electricity also goes off at around the same time! The fan therefore stops then as well and the heat is unbearable - the room has no window and the bed is unbelievably uncomfortable.

So after virtually no sleep - today begins the time at the hospital. Today they were supposed to have a tour of the hospital, not sure what happened to that.:confused:

The hospital has been given 100 hectares of land to grow food to feed patients and staff - hence Dennis' aim to provide a tractor. Today they are going to see said land. Then they are going on to where the blood is taken - do not quite understand that but never mind!:nenau

Andy did not feel up to riding and so he travelled in a truck with a Gambian film crew who are making a documentary about the hospital. Joe had yet another puncture and so he rode Dennis's bike because Dennis was in the car with all the dignitaries:!:

The children all sang and a lovely time had by all. Andy said - yet again - that the people are just great and he has spent half the day chatting with the children.:bounce1

I am not sure of the events of the day but there were loads and loads of speeches - mostly thanking Mr Dennis.
I thought the purpose of being there was to experience the life at the hospital and really see first hand that you have done just a little bit to help - so far it has all been about Dennis. When I read back through all my posts I seem to see a thread here................... :rolleyes:

Yet another day with no food since breakfast and Andy sounded awful. It seems that people are telling him that he looks really ill but it is all to easy to make the right noises. I get the feeling now that Andy thinks he has been a burden throughout the trip. That is really sad because I don't think he has at all. I would have thought that sorting out and preparing all the evening meals on the journey was a fairly hefty contribution.

There has been no mention of servicing the bikes - but Andy did say that the bikes they are using from previous years all look pretty tidy. Something was said about putting up mosquito nets tomorrow - something I would have thought they could have done themselves - but what do I know :duno

On the plus side it is only Andy who is not coping very well - the others all seem to take the heat, the sleeping conditions and in fact everything in their stride. They are all clearly very tough.

Never mind only three days to go.:friday

:101
_________________
 
Just a random comment:
Was the rest of the group and the group leader that unaware of Andy's health issues? That, plus one or two of the other comments made would certainly put me off ever joining such an adventure with this particular group leader. There should be an atmosphere of "we are all in this together" rather than the "I am alright, bugger you" that seems to be the case

From the start Andy explained about his diabetes and Dennis assured hime there would be no problem. Andy has been type 1 diabetic since he was 10 year old and so is well used to "managing" his sugar levels in all circumstances. He has never been one to not do something because he is diabetic - he is a dab hand at adapting his routine to fit the occasion. At the second meeting we had huge concerns that Dennis had not heard anything he had been told about Andy needing a bit if time and privacy (not everyone likes needles!) to test his bloods and take his insulin according to what he was going to eat. That is when Andy was ready to back out. However, we sat with Dennis the next day and tried to explain how it all works when you are a type 1 diabetic. We really thought Dennis had listened - he said there would be regular coffee stops and opportunities to eat at regular intervals even if it was just a snack from the truck. So we were back on board again feeling quite positive about the whole thing.

:101
 
Homes found for four Teds

I have now got photos of the children who will love our 4 little Teds who have been waiting for a home:-

The first little boy was not quite sure and gave Ted 1 back!

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/AP044Custom_zps051f705f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/AP044Custom_zps051f705f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP044Custom_zps051f705f.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/AP041Custom_zpsefca9605.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/AP041Custom_zpsefca9605.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP041Custom_zpsefca9605.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/AP010Custom_zpse25917b3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/AP010Custom_zpse25917b3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP010Custom_zpse25917b3.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/AP104Custom_zps1cbdf2c0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/AP104Custom_zps1cbdf2c0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP104Custom_zps1cbdf2c0.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/AP106Custom_zpsca2b4abe.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/AP106Custom_zpsca2b4abe.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP106Custom_zpsca2b4abe.jpg"/></a>

:101
 
Sadly, Andy felt very ill last night and Anita (the lady who runs the Bansang Charity) arranged for him to have an air conditioned room in a Research Centre about a mile away from the hospital. It was only available for the one night but Andy said it was just bliss. Very very clean, with a bathroom that actually had running water and 24 hour electricity. Gosh what luxury Thank you to Anita for her help organising this. :beerjug

He did get a good sleep and this morning he had breakfast with the camera crew he spent yesterday with. He said they were great company. This morning he was meant to be taken to Anita's house for breakfast - that never materialised and so he had a great breakfast with the camera crew - fish, onions boiled eggs and bread with coffee. Delicious were his words and he took a photo!

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/Gambia%20food/AP109Custom_zps4ae3eae4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/Gambia%20food/AP109Custom_zps4ae3eae4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP109Custom_zps4ae3eae4.jpg"/></a>

The crew also showed him the hospital including the fairly new children's ward. The old ward housed several children in one filthy bed and no isolation for contagious illnesses. The new ward gives one bed for a mother and her child and isolated areas for contagious diseases. :thumb

Andy found good homes for the final two Teds and for the notepads and crayons I had packed in his bag.

The "Paradise" he stayed in on the first night does have air conditioned rooms and one was available (although it switches off at 2pm the room is still loads cooler than a room with only a fan). However, this was not put to him as an option and so he is now in Banjul - the capital. He is in the hotel where the others will stay on Thursday night just prior to their flight on Friday evening.

He left this morning with Mike who went on last years trip and goes back to the hospital as often as he can to give his dentistry skills. It takes four hours to get to Banjul - but an interesting journey no doubt.

He could have stayed on in an air conditioned room but he got the feeling that Dennis and certain others were glad to see him gone - can't be doing with an ill person....... :mad

In fact one of the "team's" parting words were "Bloody Wuss". Wow what a team - long before the start of all this we were told that Dennis would split the group and he has done exactly that.

Jon and Joe had kindly offered to remove the spotlights from Chubby and swap the shock absorbers - thank you to them for that. :clap

Andy had put really super duper ones on with a view to bringing them home for the other Chubbie here. The ones he is leaving on are almost new so should give many miles of comfortable riding. :bounce1

When Andy spoke with me last night he just did not know what to do - I told him to speak with Anita. He is now in a beautiful hotel in Banjul - he has a fridge and so can keep his insulin in there. He has a great spotless room with a comfy bed and there is a swimming pool. The rest of the team will get to enjoy this on Thursday night.

He sounds better already - he is getting regular food and getting his sugar levels stable again.

I still think he has achieved what he set out to do - that is ride a C90 to The Gambia and hand it over to the hospital there - and he has done this DESPITE Dennis. :mmmm

It could have been so much better if he had just had a small amount of time to manage his diabetes through the trip - but hey ho - he has done it and he is getting back to being well again - so all is well that ends well.

He has wi fi now and has already "Skyped" me tonight. I also have loads of photos to put up so as I have said before - watch this space!

:101
 
Awkward.

Hope everyone gets home safe and well and glad that Andy met Anita....she's got something big and glowing inside her, which sounds odd but some people just have :nenau

I'm sure there's more to come from this, but I truly hope that the cause shines through.....and what everyone on the trip has accomplished for themselves comes to light :thumb
 
Chicken and chips in banjul

<a href="http://s101.photobucket.com/user/AndyHumbug/media/Gambia%20Teds/Gambia%20food/AP111Custom_zps30383123.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/AndyHumbug/Gambia%20Teds/Gambia%20food/AP111Custom_zps30383123.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AP111Custom_zps30383123.jpg"/></a>

:101
 
Awkward.

Hope everyone gets home safe and well and glad that Andy met Anita....she's got something big and glowing inside her, which sounds odd but some people just have :nenau

I'm sure there's more to come from this, but I truly hope that the cause shines through.....and what everyone on the trip has accomplished for themselves comes to light :thumb

There is no doubt about the importance of the cause. Apparently they are desperate for pain killers - such as paracetamol and stronger pills - something we can buy in every supermarket for a few pence. Andy has left all his surplus ones with Anita plus some other bits and pieces from the mini first aid kit I made up for him. I wish I had known the need - I have a huge box of co codamol here which will probably be thrown away and I would have started buying paracetamol months ago. We were not told of any specific needs at the hospital - I wish we had known.

:101
 
Status
Not open for further replies.


Back
Top Bottom