“Some of the potholes were so large that you could have got an entire car in them”


when lorries use them, get worse and worse until somebody starts a new one. You gamble on which set of tracks looks the freshest and set off. Some of the potholes were so large that you could have got an entire car in them.” Incredibly, the pair’s trusty Buick kept going without breaking down or requiring a tyre change for 9,000 km, leaving many of its competitors in its wake. By that point, the pair had made their way through several countries including Uzbekistan and Iran, with mixed reactions from the locals. “Mongolia was a delight to travel


through,” said Harry. “The people were extremely friendly and curious about our presence. Russia was just exceedingly beautiful and challenging. Iran, though, was quite intimidating. We felt compelled to get through it as quickly as possible. Sadly, we were warmly welcomed by the over thirty-fives and pelted with stones by the younger generation.”


The first potential disaster struck in


Turkey when the car’s last spare rotor arm gave up. Having already got through five replacements, Harry and Peter were stranded and had to camp out in the


En route in Mongolia


AFT trailer to the rescue in France


wilderness. But, such are the vagaries of life, they managed to find a local man who, bizarrely, happened to have a 1935 rotor arm which fitted the Buick, and they were able to carry on.


It was in a mountain pass between Italy


and France that their luck finally ran out. The gearbox packed in, which proved fatal. Not to be outdone, and having come so far, Harry called on two volunteers from AFT Trenchers, who ‘willingly’ travelled all the way to France to assist the Buick and its intrepid occupants.


The car was lifted onto the back of a trailer for the final leg to Paris, where Harry’s tired and battered 1925 Buick was unceremoniously pushed across the Parisian finish line. In so doing, Harry and his


navigator became the only participants to cross the chequered flag in their original vehicle, albeit with a helping hand from several onlookers! It is only now, a couple of months later, that Harry, who described the experience as a ‘whirlwind’, is starting to recall the event and to feel a real sense of achievement. “I admit I really enjoyed it,” he said. “It was a self indulgence and although Jackie’s [Harry’s wife] enthusiasm was not very great at the beginning, she graciously relented when she saw how important it was for me. She is very happy that I am back safe and sound - and so am I, to be honest.”


In taking part in the adventure - through which they raised £5,000 for Parkinson’s disease research - Harry missed several family events, including two birthdays and his daughter’s graduation. “I will, no doubt, be arranging something extra special this Christmas to make up for it,” he said with a rueful smile! “But, it was worth it!”


AFT Trenchers Ltd AFT45 For compact tractors from 20hp


With chain or slitting wheel, augers or conveyor to quickly install drainage systems, pipes or cables as and when needed.


Tel: +44 (0)1787 311811 Email: info@trenchers.co.uk www.trenchers.co.uk 109


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140