The rampage begins
Sorry for not checking-in sooner, we’ve been super busy at Two Yaks HQ as we realised just how under-prepared we are – even whilst we’re underway and writing this we’re still realising things we forgot. Just after writing our last blog post, we took part in a Mongol Rally Survival course led by Charlie McGrath of Objective Travel. In between shotgun shooting and a huge lunch, we learnt some great tips for our time on the road.
Elliott then headed off for a last minute holiday before the gruelling rally begun, leaving his fellow yak scratching his head as he tried to sort out the Chatwagon. We’d like to thank Cambridge Coachworks (http://www.cambridgecoachworks.com/) (who are actually based in Crowthorne) for helping us on this front – some spare tyres and some well attached additional lighting will put us in good stead later on in the journey. The back seats of the Chatwagon have been ripped out to create space for the accumulation of clutter we are taking - much of which will probably never be used (do we even need a toaster???). Catharine still has a few geriatric issues unfortunately. The arthritis is kicking in and she often is adamant she doesn’t want to move by refusing to start. This was fun to learn on the motorway after being stuck in standstill traffic for 30 minutes. Upon the traffic moving again, Catharine refused to start for a good while leaving a red-faced yak to hold up angry drivers.
In the midst of all this we have been working hard with several companies to establish a partnership on the trip. We are delighted to announce that we are working with Yik Yak and Synopsys. Yik Yak are a prominent US-based social media app (http://www.yikyakapp.com/), and we hope to the face of their new marketing campaign with the photos we will be supplying! Synopsys meanwhile provide the products and services that accelerate innovation in the electronics world – they’re a pretty cool company so check them out if you’re interested in that field (http://www.synopsys.com/home.aspx).
Once Elliott returned home we spent the last few days before setting off into the unknown rushing around the country collecting all the various items we needed. After about 20 trips to the local Halfords to pick up items we realised were probably quite vital (such as a car battery that works), we think we’re pretty much covered. There are a few minor items on the list that we need but we back ourselves to be able to pick up them up with our school boy French/German.
With the big launch early on Sunday morning, The Adventurists organised a campsite and launch party for the Saturday night at Goodwood Motor Circuit. Having initially intended to arrive at 3pm, in true Two Yaks style we didn’t manage to set off until 5pm and even then still had stuff to do. 1,000 Yik Yak stickers and 4 hours later we were done and ready to hit up the launch party in the obligatory black tie attire. This consisted of James sporting a jacket fit for a man with t-rex arms, and Elliott donning a Kimono/Smoking Jacket/Dressing Gown/Nightie. Stay tuned for photos of these striking outfits, especially once the Summer adaptions get whipped out on the beaches of Romania.
After a night that surely left half of the teams over the drinking-limit when they set off (us of course excluded), we packed up our tent and completed a lap of the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit with the rest of the ralliers (video to come). Currently on the ferry from Dover to Calais, the two Yaks are chomping at the bit to see what the rally has in store as we finally begin our journey - next stop Brussels.
