Scoots 2013. The road to Bansang

[JohnnyBoxer]

Good read and insight to 'life on the road'

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

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.

This has been a really good read from the start and hopefully Andy will finish it in his own words when he gets home. Having never been on one I could only imagine how hard they are and how they can test people in so many different ways. The thought of riding a comfortable larger bike to Gambia as a part of a group doesn't really appeal to me that much, let alone a 90cc scooter. Good on Dennis for continuing to support the hospital and Andy for having the balls to undertake such a trip. The comment above does make me wonder though if future efforts wouldn't be spent getting things other than yet more scooters out there, and if they do still need these little bikes wouldn't two 4x4's loaded with supplies and towing a trailer of bikes be an easier and better solution?

 

[Paula aka Mrs Humbug]

Senegal to The Gambia at Faraffeni

I have received lots of photos and I know how you all love to look at pictures!

Here is one traunch - I am doing a bit at a time as I do have other things to do you know...................

This is the trip from down through Senegal and into the The Gambia at Faraffeni.

Enjoy :Smillie

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[oblertone]

The comment above does make me wonder though if future efforts wouldn't be spent getting things other than yet more scooters out there, and if they do still need these little bikes wouldn't a two 4x4's loaded with supplies and towing a trailer of bikes be an easier and better solution?

It all depends on how you view the trip. Is it trying to equip a hospital or an 'Adventure' motorcycling trip ? From what I can recall of our planning meetings your original question has been debated many times; and the answer to "Why not put the stuff in a container?" Has always been "where's the fun in that!"

On a practical note, would you buy a C90, fettle it, then load it on a trailer and wave it goodbye ?

It is worth noting that in between these publicised trips Dennis has also been heavily involved in getting supplies to the hospital by other means.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

It all depends on how you view the trip. Is it trying to equip a hospital or an 'Adventure' motorcycling trip ? It is worth noting that in between these publicised trips Dennis has also been heavily involved in getting supplies to the hospital by other means. From what I can recall of our planning meetings your original question has been debated many times; and the answer to "Why not put the stuff in a container?" Has always been "where's the fun in that!"

Yeah I'm aware he's been out there several times between trips and I have popped a few quid in the pot now and then to support him. It seems like a cause, a people and an area he has fallen in love with and good on him for all his hard work and commitment, I just wondered how many scooters one hospital wants.

 

[Paula aka Mrs Humbug]

More photos - The journey inland to Bansang

The next lot of photos show the journey accross The Gambia inland to Bansang. The journey took them via The Wassu Stone Circles - a World Heritage Site.

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[Paula aka Mrs Humbug]

Party Time at Bansang

It seems that the speeches and celebrations started as soon as they arrived and continued and continued, and then started again the next day; and the next.................

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[Duchess]

Do you know it never ceases to amaze me how each of those kids that have very little but yet their faces are so full joy with the brightest and the biggest smiles that you'll ever get to see.

Brilliant

 

[Paula aka Mrs Humbug]

Andy's brilliant LS2 Helmet and Mort's tyres and inner tubes

I have already mentioned Bitz a Bikes for giving little Chubby the final once over but I also want to single out two other fantastic gifts we had.

Firstly to "Mort" - Rob Morton of Bikeit for tyres and tubes
http://www.bikeit.co.uk/

As you can see from the number of punctures along the way they were invaluable.

Secondly to Gavin McCaffery for a lovely new LS2 helmet
http://www.ls2helmets.com/uk/

The helmet was very comfortable and perfect for the cold start and the very high temperatures at the end of the journey.

Andy had intended to bring it home, however, he did meet an "Ambulance Driver" who he thought merited a great helmet.

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[DavidHale]

Excellent pictures! Like others have said, hopefully the memories of those smiling faces will make all the suffering worthwhile and be the lasting memories Andy takes away from the trip.

 

[Fanum]

Brilliant

For those who don't know.....the lady in the centre here is Anita, the driving force behind the children's ward (1/4 built when we first went) and the renovation of the hospital.......she was the person who inspired the initial donation of the first Landrover back in 2005, Then the dozen scoots taken on the first scoots trip in '06 and everything else with it.....and everything that's followed since

She's one of those exceptional people who sort of glows from inside.......a real dynamo, and someone who has that really odd aura around them
Regardless of personality clashes or leadership styles, I truly hope this carries on.......even if this year's riders were a bit Ghey and only rode during the daytime

And they've painted the steps

 

[Paula aka Mrs Humbug]

Today

Andy has called and he is feeling much better today - not 100% but 100% better than yesteray - he has been out for a walk, and although he is staying in a tourist area he still managed to spend time with local peope.

He met a man called Omar who was selling T shirts - he has to sell three per day to make a humble living - their tourist season is short and today - like many days - he had sold none.

He chatted to a lady selling fruit - Andy bought some fruit - it was delicious - her commodity is of limited shelf life and so she looses what cannot be sold. It is a harsh life when you cannot make a living as there is no help from the state.

This country is struggling at present and we are all feeling the effects of recession - compared to these peolple we have it easy.

Andy also encountered some ladies offering massage and if that was not enough you could have a "Nice Massage" - I will leave that for you to workout..............

Andy was advised to take euros with him - this he did. Interestingly, it is not euros they want - the better exchange rate is for sterling!

He is staying at Luigi's Complex - http://www.luigis.gm/ - run by an English couple. The lady's father spends five months every year with them in the Gambia and EVERYONE calls him Dad

"Dad" has a Douglas Dragonfly back in the UK.....................................

He has reunited with The Camera Crew who were so kind to him at Bansang and was hoping to be able to buy them a drink later.

As far as we are aware - nobody has called the hotel to see if Andy is OK - out of sight, out of mind.....?

Re Fanum's post - the steps look great - it is a brilliant before and after - not sure about the Motley Crew on the unpainted steps though!!!!

Maybe there will be a photo of them all on the green steps this year - sadly it will be minus Andy.

 

[MATKAT]

Bill, I really like that ! Anita as we know is amazing, the rest, well ...... It drives Dennis on and regardless of anything that goes ......... ' On Tour' .... I can only believe it is a priviledge to be on a Scoot's trip and for sure would love to go ! No one Ever said it is easy, and nothing worth having ever is ........

Brilliant

For those who don't know.....the lady in the centre here is Anita, the driving force behind the children's ward (1/4 built when we first went) and the renovation of the hospital.......she was the person who inspired the initial donation of the first Landrover back in 2005, Then the dozen scoots taken on the first scoots trip in '06 and everything else with it.....and everything that's followed since

She's one of those exceptional people who sort of glows from inside.......a real dynamo, and someone who has that really odd aura around them
Regardless of personality clashes or leadership styles, I truly hope this carries on.......even if this year's riders were a bit Ghey and only rode during the daytime

And they've painted the steps

 

[bakerlonglegs]

A good read and interesting to hear about the good and the bad sides - thanks for all the pics. Whatever happens, to those who've got the bottle to do the trip.

 

[Paula aka Mrs Humbug]

This is me signing off

The garage is vacuumed, all the bikes have had the feather duster treatment and their tanks, side panels and mud guards have been “Mr Sheened”. Andy wanted to put covers on them all – and yes they have gathered a bit of dust in four weeks, but I did not want to be in and out of the garage looking at a row of covers – albeit very nice covers – it is just not the same. And anyway I would have only had to keep peeking under the covers to check they were OK and not missing “Himself” too much.

Just had a call to say flight is on time and so I will shortly be setting off for Gatwick Airport to bring Andy, Jill and Jon back to Somerset.

I have enjoyed writing this report over the last 4 weeks and I really hope that you have enjoyed reading it – I am very grateful that Andy could get his pictures to me as those have brought the entire thing alive and I have a better idea of what I am writing about.

I appreciate that if someone else was writing this report it would read as if it was a different place and time; as everyone sees things very differently. I have recorded it through Andy's eyes and his perception of events. For me Andy's perception is his reality and to me that is what has mattered.

Thank you to so many of you for messages of support for me to pass on to Andy but also for those of you who have supported me with mails and phone calls – it has been difficult at times to be upbeat about it and I am quite relieved that it is completed.

Andy had many reasons for undertaking this trip and one was the desire to give a little something to those who do not have the benefit of our NHS.

Another major reason was that Andy wanted to prove to himself and other diabetics that these things can be done. Diabetes does not have to be a big deal if it is well controlled - and Andy does that very well in all circumstances. Sadly, I do not think there was an understanding in this group, of the fact that if you allow your sugar levels to become too high or too low you will feel very ill and this can be life threatening.

He was not given the opportunity to keep his blood levels stable and when he, quite rightly, made noises about this he was branded as the weak link.

Although the end did not turn out as Andy would have wanted – he completed the trip and delivered little Chubby to The Hospital. Personally, I think that is a great achievement for anybody.

If anyone out there feels they would like to do this trip, I understand that Dennis intends to do the next one in 2015. I realise that hindsight is a wonderful thing, but if I had the time again I would have sent Andy off with a very robust vacuum flask and maybe some cup a soups or hot chocolate sachets. At times the “snacks” we had packed on the truck were unreachable (unless the truck was totally unloaded) and that is when you need to be self sufficient. With a flask of hot water, a few tea bags, coffee sachets or soups you can at least have some sustenance.

I will admit that I have been critical of Dennis’ attitude towards Andy, and I have no compunction about that, however, I do not in any way wish to take away the importance of what Dennis is doing. Without his devotion to this cause, knowledge of the route and sheer effort the hospital would be far worse off. His heart is most definitely in the right place. He is a very strong fit man but sadly does not appear to be able to make allowances for those who are not quite as fit.

This is most definitely a great cause – thank you to those of you who have given so generously.
If you are able, it is not too late to donate – either directly through Scoots or at Andy's Virgin giving page:-

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyPowell

I am sure that Andy will add some more photos and write a report in his own words so please so watch this space…….

 

[Ash]

Really enjoyed the whole reports, warts and all.
And well done Andy for completing his goal.
Xxx

 

[Fanum]

Really enjoyed the whole reports, warts and all.
And well done Andy for completing his goal.
Xxx

Same here, thanks Paula, and well done Andy and the rest of the team, including Mr Grumpy

 

[Hustler]

Really enjoyed the whole reports, warts and all.
And well done Andy for completing his goal.
Xxx

Ditto, and thank you very much for all your efforts Mrs.Humbug, most appreciated.

 

[MATKAT]

Ditto on that Bill !!,

 

[Devon]

Thank's for a cracking report, minus the rose tinted goggles, Paula. It's enough to convince me never to touch one of these scoots trips with a barge pole but respect to everyone who has done the trip/contributed and there is no doubt it's a great cause
Good on Andy and all the other riders.