Clearing the Car

Friday 21st was a day when all we could focus on was "will we or won't we" clear the car. I tried to think, if it's going to happen it will. It did happen 2.30 pm. We went to the Atlantic in the morning to get some water and a couple of stones to put in the Pacific. So a day of worrying was worth it. I am not sure if Rob Metcalf was surprised by what it's like sitting in a 2CV. Dinner last night was typical local shell fish, it was so good. As Rob is a Lexus driver, I am sure that he did not find it the same on his drive from the port back to the hotel, about eight miles . Today will be Fredricton (300 miles away) and then it's 1,111 miles to Toronto. We will be setting off at 08.00 in order to meet Bob, another 2CV owner, mid day in Moncton.

Collecting Atlantic water freezing cold.

The Halifax to Toronto team

Ann runs a small shop, post office on the coast.Speedo on collecting the car from the compound in Halifax.

Pictures from Halifax

Colin collecting Atlantic Ocean water to carry to the Pacific:

Collecting the car from the shipping company:

Colin chatting up a guitar player Thursday night:

Halifax, part 2

Jeffrey Carmen and Rob Metcalf have got to Halifax, so there are now all four of us for this section. All we need now is the 2CV. I should know more on Friday; it could be our first hold up due to 'mud'. If, when the car is inspected, any soil is found, the car will have to be jet washed. Let's hope it goes through OK and we can pick it up. We do have a plan B.

Halifax

Derek and I got to Halifax today so we are now in Canada. Next step trying to get the 2CV out of the port. Hope that we can do that tomorrow.

Journey of Hope Map

Brand new to the Journey of Hope website is our new interactive map. The red dots represent Colin's route on the Trans-Canada Highway, the blue dots represent the locations of the Journey of Hope staff, and the green dots represent the people who have been kind enough to donate money to our cause.

Visit http://bit.ly/journeyofhopemap to view the map!

Farewell Drink

Tonight's farewell drink went well. What can I say but thanks to everyone who came.

Also thanks to all the UK co drivers. Only 2 days before we go!

Colin's Leaving Drinks

A great collection of friends and family convened tonight at The
Prince of Wales in Hertingfordbury. Volcanic ash appears to clearing
so everything looks good to go.

Charity Auction and Fundraiser

Charity Auction and Fundraiser

Colin Craythorne will be driving across Canada in a Citroen 2CV to raise funds for The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Unit, at the University College Hospital, in London.

To contribute to the charity and this fabulous event please come to the Quail and Firkin on Wednesday May 26th at 7pm and participate in the auction for Arsenal memorabilia including a matchball signed by the players!

Laurie

The following was written by Laurie Dixon:

Hello Colin,

I just want to wish you the best of luck on your trip. I have just finished reading your blog and am so sorry to hear of your loss but am so glad you won your battle, I hope Canada treats you well on your journey. We also have cancer in our family, my brothers grand daughter, now 3 years and 5 months has had her tumour return after evasive surgery last year. She too is a brave little one. If your trip takes you through Edmonton, Alberta, my brother and family would love to hear from you I am sure and I will be glad to introduce you. They are all going through a very hard time and to have faith and hope is sometimes hard to keep close by when the chemo treatments take such a toll.

I will monitor your shot and keep you informed to progress and will offer any assistance needed.

Wishing you all the success for your trip from coast to coast and when in Toronto, if time permits please come by a say hello.

The International Problem

The last 2 nights sleeping has been a problem. I have had bad news about two close members of my family and also one of my wife Ann's family who have died. Us English get a strange comfort in telling ourselves that things come in threes. I am not sure it helps but that's the way it is. With all that I don't think its that what keeping me awake.

This is it. 9 months ago when I thought about doing this drive it was to show that I am just as mad as I have always been and spend Fathers Day with my son in Whistler. Then came the idea to raise money for UCH who helped me through my cancer treatment and made me one of the lucky ones. It has grown thanks to the help of so many. The thing on my mind then is I contact several cancer groups in Canada not for money but just to meet up with other sufferers, families and friends on my trip through Canada the response was on the lines of 'Are you raising money for a US or Canadian charity? If not we can't do much for you.' Now the other end of sorting the trip out we are getting 'If its not a Canadian or US charity we are unable to give.' That approach hurts me UCH is an international research hospital that all its work is open to the world to use. Cancer is a world problem. This has not taken away my determination to do the drive. When I was having my chemo I also had Rhaki and reflexology in the hospital UK. The prayers of many World Wide, a candle lit in many churches in Italy, UK, Canada, and the Vatican. Prayers in Budist temples Thailand Prayers in Middle East Jewish prayer in US & UK. Thoughts and good wishes from around the world. My nurses and medical staff were from so many counties. What that tells you is that cancer is international. Why should I feel like I am doing something wrong? If you have read Lesley's Journey on my blog read Lesley's poem at the end that's what you feel like.

Flying back from Italy on Sunday so I hope the Ash does not hold things up. There is not a comment or action anyone can do to stop me doing this drive. And I hope to help anyone who has been through or is going through this terrible thing called cancer. Now I had said it I can sleep.

Ash Problem

Could not take the risk so we drove back. We left Loro Piceno 4.30 Saturday stayed in Switzerland got back to Hertingfordbury 7.45pm. another 1,100 miles. Had to be back for my leaving drinks at the Prince of Wales Monday night. Off to bed lots to sort out in the morning.

Shambala

The following was written by Chris from Shambala:

Well here I am writing here on Colin’s Blog as I think it is a really worthy cause.

I have known Colin not only as a Therapist for the past six years, but also as a friend who I hold close to my Heart and have the greatest respect for.

Colin has worked extremely hard all his life with his job, he has also used his life in a very useful and intelligent way. Colin has given a lot of his time and energy to help out other people transform negative energy into a positive energy empowering their lives.

For me Colin is a truly wonderful person who knows how to live life to the full and at the same time he is able to put out a tremendous amount of positive energy to friends and family who he is surrounded by and have supported him throughout his Cancer treatments.

Colin has told me that during his trip he is going to be talking about how Reiki and Reflexology treatments helped him get through his Cancer. I do believe that the positive power of Reiki has the ability to change people’s lives for the better! Reflexology also works extremely well with Reiki … it stimulates or sedates specific pressure points on the feet, which creates channels for the healing to circulate to all parts of the body.

When we experience stress, in any form, this prevents your own natural healing powers from working … it is not stress which kills us, it is our reaction to it!

At the end of the day our greatest wealth is health. Health is not often valued until sickness comes along; it is then that people start realizing that there is more to life than just being alive.

I think it is so important for us all to raise awareness about treatments and research for Leukaemia along with other types of Cancers. Most of us know someone who has Cancer or a friend of a friend who has Cancer …. the more money and awareness that everyone can raise will go a long way to a giving someone with Cancer a chance of Life.

I have found in the past that families and patients who have lived with Cancer can also help others and continue to help themselves by writing down their experiences to help others. When Cancer is diagnosed, a tremendous fear sets in and people do not even know where to turn for help.

People say that I am too positive and hopeful, I personally will not change my attitude towards life and really hope that many more people will join me and turn those negatives into positives!!!

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware, I know that you will find some very special ones on your trip of hope. Have a wonderful & safe drive.

Love, Light & Reiki Blessings to everyone

Chris

Shambala

Colin has been volcanoed

Received a text from Colin yesterday afternoon. The expanding ash clound drifting down from Iceland has caused NI airspace to be closed as of today and the remainder of the UK may follow Monday/Tuesday. Colin and Ann are in the car making their way back to Hertford from Macerata. Fingers crossed he is able to get a flight out on Tuesday as planned. - Rob