Reflections After a Month Back In Italy

You never truly own a 2CV, you just look after it for the next generation

It's been a month since returning from Canada to Europe. I have tried to think of words to thanks so many people who helped me through this amazing trip. I am sure if I started using names I will forget someone who I should mention. Do I include the petrol pump attendant who's mother had just died from cancer? the police who stopped us?

So to everyone, thanks. You know the help you gave me. Everyday I think of another thing that happened. I got to Whistler to hand over the 2CV to my son and spend fathers day with him.

I think I must say a special thanks to the following not in any order: Derek (Mr 2CV) gave me a car fit to cover the 4,300 miles across Canada. It only suffered a puncture and I can't blame him for that. Thanks again, Derek, I enjoyed your company.

Jeffery (Mr Organizer), what a friend he turned out to be; being there at the start for the Halifax to Toronto leg, he found so many people who helped sort the trip out.

Then Rob Magie the driving force to make me do the trip. Along with getting me to go white water rafting (and saving my life when I fell in) Rob also helped raise a lot of the donations and I thank him for that.

The 2CV owners of Canada just for the interest a spare wheel when I need it. Arsenal supporters in Toronto for the event to raise donations.

Rob Metcalf the only Australian to join us on the trip a inspiration to me.

Chip who let me share a few days on his island I can't put in words what a sharing experience that was.

Thunder Bay Cancer unit the staff there were great and a inspiration to every one they meet.and help live through cancer.

Paul another survivor from AML who shared the drive from Thunder bay to Winnipeg.

Friends from UCH who helped me through the early stages of my illness in the UK.Paul also raised monet for his own fund.

Martin who became our tech support for the last half of the trip. He joined me in Winnipeg and drove the support car across the most boring part of the trip. Winnipeg to Calgary.

Then my son who joined for the same part of the trip It gave more chance to get to know him as a friend as well as a son.

Then the crew that joined me for the section Calgary to Vancouver. Rob Magie, Jeffery, Martin, Paul a friend of Jeffery. He was great he even drove the 2CV. Made it to the Pacific then Herman the German turned up he risked not being in Germany for the birth of his daughter, what a good friend!

The music we had at the finishing meal. Steve and Lucie I had only met once came and played for us thank them.

My daughter in-law Nenna even though she was 8 months pregnant managed to sort out things at the end of the trip.

Thanks to Gail & Chris Oxley who helped me with the wording for the first document to promote the trip.

Dave Bush and Ema who helped with logos and many other things. My mum for just being a good mum over doing this trip.

Then Ann who has put up with me going on about the trip for the last year and just being there also for buying me the 2CV which I have now given to my son in Whistler.

Also a big thank to all the staff at UCH London for helping me live through my cancer they know who they are. Everyone who gave or took part in the trip thanks again.

Where do we go from here the thought of doing something as major in Australia who knows but it rest and trying to write down all that happened.

End of the Road?

On Tuesday night we had the end of trip dinner at the Sandbar in Vancouver. After driving across Canada I knew I would get together with a few friends and family. This number grew considerably thanks to friends I made during the trip. The celebration included Canadians, South Africans, Americans and a German. The food was great and the mix of people worked so well. I managed, with a bit of help, to talk about my trip but I am sure I missed out so many people and places that I will be boring you all with it for years to come. Rob and Jeffery managed to let out the bag that 'They' are thinking about driving a large part of Australia in a 2CV in 2011. I am not sure what Ann thinks about it. The music from Steve and Lucie was great. I am trying to get them to come to Europe so I hope to lay something on for them as a way of saying thank you. I will get some photos to on the blog in the next few days.

I have now made it up to Whistler to hand the 2CV over to Lloyd. I am sure I am going to miss it. The 2CV ran so well for 4,500 miles; if ever you want to buy one look up Derek in the UK. I shall rest for a few days before travelling back to the UK next Wednesday. Sunday is Fathers' Day so I'm hoping to go out with the family.

Daughter-in-law Nenna with the next installment in the Craythorne clan - due in four weeks

Section 5 - Part 3 - Kamloops to Vancouver

Mileage leaving Kamloops 36,975, mileage arriving Kamloops 37,236, total driven 261 miles. Trip total: Halifax to Vancouver 4,390 miles.

I got to the Pacific and poured the Atlantic water that I had carried with me into the Pacific at a beach in Vancouver's Stanley Park. I walked in up to my neck, it was not as cold as the Atlantic. That's it finished; I would like to think of what I can say about the trip given a few days rest. The team on thelast day team ended up being Rob, Jeffrey, Paul, Herman and Martin. Ann was on the Rocky Mountaineer that broke down getting to Vancouver and got here five ours late.

Ann's train before it had a problem.

(We offered Martin's technical support but they turned it down)

Section 5 - Part 2 - Golden to Kamloops

Mileage leaving Golden 36,741 miles, mileage arriving Kamloops 36,975, total driven 234 miles.

The previous day, as were coming into Golden, I had absently minded mentioned that I had never been whitewater rafting. That led to some chat over a few beers during the England v. USA game and lo and behold I found myself in a wetsuit at 09.00 Sunday morning. Martin and I were quietly terrified as this was new territory for us. Following a brief safety chat we put in on the Kicking Horse River and certain death.

The initial terror wore off as we made our way through Class III and IV falls; we were most of the way through the trip when a rogue wave tipped me out of the raft and into the boiling waters. Martin sat in the raft watching me whilst prlade first; Paul remained onboard to tousle and arrange his immaculately coiffed head and Jeffrey kept astern fondling Saki and Sarah, our guest crew members. It's at times like these that you realise who your true mates really are. Rob leapt into the icy maelstrom, swam to me and got me back to the raft where the others were finally persuaded to help lift me in.

The afternoon drive to Kamloops was a relatively calm affair after that.

On the Kicking Horse just before the rogue wave

The drowned rats back on terra firma

Section 5 - Part 1 - Calgary to Golden

Mileage leaving Calgary 36,569 miles, mileage arriving Calgary 36,741, total driven 172 miles.

Approaching Kicking Horse Pass

I had a great meal last night with Ann, Wendy and Martin. It has started to warm up a bit so we could have our meal outside. Our hotel was just out of town on the west side and we all used the tram system to get in to town. It was a bit of an early night, the reason for that is that Martin and I were sharing a room and I have now found out he snores.

Rob, Paul and Jeffery arrived and were staying in the City centre. They goy up early to watch the Australia England Test Match from Perth. We all met up at our hotel to start the first leg to Golden; not a long trip but very hilly in places. Leaving at 6.00am Rob is now my co driver for the drive to Vancouver. For those of you who have not traveled with him, he does tend to sleep a lot. He was the same on this section. So he missed a lot of the fantastic scenery. Clear blue sky a little snow on the top, just amazing. One of the reasons for leaving early was to get to The Mad Trapper pub for the USA v England football match. Like all other Englishmen I thought it would be a walk in the park. With three Americans with me it was not the time for a 1-1 draw. So it's an early night

04.00 Kick-off in Calgary, not a great Test Match

Approaching the Continental Divide (at 35 MPH)

Mad Trapper in Golden; savouring Robert Green's goalkeeping Skills

Salads all around, very worrying

On The Way to Golden

Made it over Kicking Horse Pass to get to Golden, BC in time to watch England v. USA from Raustenberg, SA

Rested for the Final Push

A wet day in Calgary. I took a long drive from Banff down to Calgary. Tried to find somewhere to get a picture of Martin and myself on a horse but no luck. Walked around Calgary and found an Irish pub that will please Rob when he gets here. It was only six degrees so pretty chilly but Irish stew and a pint of the black stuff made us feel better. We had some time to kill before picking up Ann and Wendy from the airport. We shopped a bit at the Hudson Bay Company then it was off to the airport. It has been three weeks since I have seen Ann, we're not used to being apart for that long. It's our wedding anniversary on Saturday; I thought it was Friday.

Guess which one used to captain the Springboks

Money for accommodation always gets tight toward the end

Back to the diet

The Hot Tub That Dare Not Speak Its Name

We spent Wednesday 9th June in Banff all day. Ended up staying around the cabin for most of the day owing to heavy rain. Walked around town for a bit but not a lot more. We did go into an art gallery; it will please Ann I did not buy anything. On a dull day where you think nothing is likely to happen, something did, another meeting of new friends. We asked a nice South African couple to take our picture (see blog entry below below) whilst canoeing. Later in the hot tub we had a bit of a "Small World" moment when this "Giant of a Man" turned out to be former Bok captain Theuns Stofberg. I hope to meet up with him again in Vancouver.

The justgiving.com donations are now up to 10k+; thanks to everyone for that. Kevin Leek sent me an e-mail which provided me with this little gem:

'History is how we view yesterday and tomorrow is a mystery. However today is a gift and that's why it's called the present.'

The squeamish should look away now

Lake Louise

The 8th of June has been a rest day in Banff. A day of not driving the 2CV. After starting my 48 hour diet (before Ann gets here) we headed of for Lake Louise about 30min drive. It's a great place to spend the day and, after being convinced I needed a walk around the lake, we went canoeing followed by a walk up the side of the lake. It seemed every tourist there where from the UK. Returning home for a hot tub and bed. Lloyd leaves Wednesday morning so last chance to do the dad bit.

Lake Louise

Three men in a boat

On the way back from the taxidermist!

TECHIE SPOT - The above captures the moment Martin climbs into the canoe and breaks the seat. Furthermore, he cannot turn on his bedroom light.

BANFFFFFFFFFF!

No miles travelled today apart for a walk to the hot tub. The view from the cabin is great! After our last drive Lloyd and Martin went for a walk in the mountains. My day was rest and a bit of shopping. We have started to feed the local crow family. Martin thinks they will be eating out of his hand by the end of the week. I managed to get a photo of what is I am told a prairie dog it looks more like a rat to me. Today is going to be a four mile walk around a lake. The sun is shining so it might happen. Last day here for Lloyd he flies back to Vancouver on Wednesday morning. Techie Spot: Martin attempted to operate the dishwasher.

Prarie Dog in a Chipmunk Suit

View from the cabin

Section 4 - Part 3 - Medicine Hat to Calgary

Mileage leaving Medicine Hat 36,363 miles, mileage arriving Calgary 36,559, total driven 196 miles

Left the 2CV at Calgary airport and we have driven up to Banff in the support car about one hour on from Calgary. What a birthday! It started off in Medicine Hat aiming to get to Calgary early afternoon. No hang over from my UK birthday party in Medicinie Hat so I am up for the drive to Calgary just to see some hills at least. Before I left I had a few birthday cards some physical, others by electronic. One I was told to look at on my birthday was on:

Happy Birthday, Colin! on Vimeo.

Have a look at it, it was a bit tearful for me.

We got to Calgary and there are the mountains; after leaving Winnipeg it was just flat lands but now this. I am going to drive my 2CV over these hills, no problem. My best move for the next few days is to stay in the mountains. Nenna found us a cabin in Banff. Parked the car at the airport for a well earned rest ready for the Vancouver bit on Saturday. My birthday meal was great as we have a kitchen in this cabin. Martin and Lloyd cooked us a bbq outside. Today will be a rest day getting ready for the wave of people come over later in the week. Lloyd wanted me to go for a walk today. He has not lived with me a lot in recent years so he has not got to know me when it comes to walking but I might do some thing like that.

We went to a WalMart just out side Calgary and parked the 2CV; the interest from people was amazing. I met a guy for Bedford and we talked as though we were there.

One thing we have noticed on the drive from Winnipeg to Calgary the fuel stations are owned and run by South Korean people (that's something for your pub quiz) and also the further west you go towards Calgary the happier people are. Not sure if it works like that in Lincoln.

TECHIE SPOT: Martin has been working out how to get the video on his camera onto a computer, so far failure!

Wine named after me

Friendly folk on the flat bit

Section 4 - Part 2 - Moosomin to Medicine Hat

Mileage leaving Moosomin 35,920 miles, mileage arriving Medicine Hat 36,363, total driven 443 miles

A long and, at times slow, drive; battling a head wind brought the top speed down to 40 mph. we were told by different people on the route how to deal with the boredom 'Look at the clouds' and Imagine when 'Indians used to run around here'. Lloyd and Martin started to keep a mental log of the dead animals on the side of the road.

The day started with meeting Chris, a cyclist riding to Vancouver. A lot of trains pulling the largest number of carriages I have ever seen; it takes two or three engines to pull them.

As we have now crossed 2 time zones and June 6th is my birthday. When we got here last night it was my birthday in the UK +7 hours from here. I'm looking forward to Calgary and some mountainous landscape. A few days rest in Calgary then I'll be joined by Ann, Wendy, Rob, Jeffrey, Paul and and Herman the German.

TECHIE SPOT - I think while Martin, my designated technician, is here I will need to have a techie spot in order to catalogue all his technological shortcomings. Everyday there seems to be another thing that he can't operate. So far these include a camera, wing mirrors on the hire car, under seat heating, (in fact, anything that is attached to the car), coffee machines in hotel bedrooms, air conditioning in hotel bedrooms.

We met up with some girls last night who where travelling north and after some cash. It seemed that if they did not get a lift they where going to jump a train. So it still goes on.

Chris on his 4,000 mile trip

Having a light lunch

Heading north

The way you spend your birthday in Canada

Just the start

Section 4 - Part 1 - Winnipeg to Moosomin

Mileage leaving Winnipeg 35,687 miles, mileage arriving Moosomin 35,920 mile, total driven 233 miles

After leaving Winnipeg in the rain we got going West on Route 1, The Trans Canada Highway. It was not as bad a drive as I thought. The car is running well and it seems I have got a lot to talk to Lloyd about. Pulled over for petrol at Austin a small town with 2 pumps after filling us up the attendant told us we should go to a local Agricultural museum. Martin has a friend who has a thing about tractors so we had no choice. There sheds and sheds of them along with a pioneer village. Good time had by all. Back on the road we then got stopped by the police for driving too slowly, but we explained and made him laugh and got him to take some photos of the team. We stopped here as we had had enough but we should be back on track in the morning. Martin is meant to be our techy but his daughter has given him her video camera and he still can't turn it on.

Martin picks his next car

After being told we are driving too slowly

Result of spending too much time in a French tin can

Dad 'n' Lad

Lloyd and Martin arrived OK. Martin had a problem as he did have a visa for USA as his flight was via Denver even though he was coming direct to Canada. Still even though his flight was late had time for a pint. All agreed to leave Winnipeg in the morning. So its off across 700 miles of nothing but I am sure we will find a lot to talk about.

Paul & Derek leaving Lloyd arrived

Father and son bonding for the next 750 miles

Winnipegged!

We've been in Winnipeg for the day after arriving last night. I am certain that there must be a lively part of town but we have yet to find it. We went to a Japanese restaurant had a good meal but that's about it. As my wife likes purple I found a waitress with purple hair. I'm picking up Lloyd and Martin at the airport later. Paul is getting an earlier flight back with Derek. I think I will leave in the morning and give myself one extra day to get to Calgary.

The only thing to make us laugh in Winnipeg Cheryl at Edohei Restaurant

A blanket for the Hudson Bay Company costs 400 Canadian Dollars

Section 3 - Part 2 - Dryden to Winnipeg

Mileage leaving Dryden 35,453miles, on arrival in Winnipeg 35,686, driven 235 miles.

The landscape for most of the trip was stunning, a bit hilly only got into second gear once. Stopped at a lambswool showroom on the way, only 30 min after heading off. Could not see anything worth buying. Chance to use their rest room. There seems to be a lack of service stations on these highways so I try not to let the fuel indicator go below half so it mean I stop about every 1 hr. On our second stop on this section there was only a few pumps and somewhere to buy a coffee. This one had a pump attendant with the time it took to fill me up I heard he retired from work 10 years ago lost his wife to cancer. Then he asked me if I followed Coronation Street in the UK as he watches it most nights and that the omnibus of the weeks show are on Saturday morning. As they are about a month behind could I tell him what is happening. I am pleased to say I could not help him.

Driving on from there I saw a deer run across and several by a lake. We had arranged to meet Blair, a 2CV man, on the border of Ontario and Manitoba. He took us into Winnipeg. Blair warned us that after 50 miles the landscape would change from trees to plains and it did all the way into Winnipeg. He has said that its like this for the next 700 miles. Derek leaves tomorrow in the evening. So I will get him to check the 2CV before he goes. The tyres have got here but I will not fit them until needed. My son gets here tomorrow from Whistler and Martin from the UK. So we will be full strength to set of on Saturday. Paul who has been my co driver leaves on Saturday Derek and Paul have been good company Derek from Halifax and Paul from Thunderbay.

Blair and a flask of tea

Sheepskin Shop, a Welshman's dream come true

A Message from Rob Metcalf, now back in Sydney

Dear Colin,

As a family we are very delighted to be able to help with your cause.

On a personal level I felt very privileged to be asked to join you on your Journey and was inspired to see first hand how you have responded to the challenge.

After Toronto I personally felt reinvigorated and am now more positively looking to the future after a period of relative lethargy!

It was a great pleasure to get to know Jeffrey and Derek and although I have developed a fondness for the 2CV have no fear I am not in pre Alzheimer's and will not be wandering the world in search of a Citroen fix.

Even so, a tour across Australia at some time may be worth further consideration.

Keep rolling onto Vancouver!

Fond regards

Rob

A message From Chip Gillespie, now back in Westport

Dear Colin

Thank you again for letting me tag along. As we parted yesterday at the highway light, we saw you wave and head east in the wrong direction. Derek was a little panicked, contemplating yet a third day lost in the wilderness, and after driving east and west for a while, he dropped me off, not knowing if he was ahead or behind all over again. Glad to see from the blog this morning you all caught up fairly soon. I had a long day in airports, but was struck by the fact that our four days of driving from Toronto to Thunder Bay was erased in a 1 ½ hour flight back to the start. Hope your weather is continuing, and I shall track you on the blog. Here is a picture of you taking medication on the porch at the Island. I’ll send others in bits for you. The concept of the trip remains an inspiration, and your ability to talk to absolutely anyone, from the doctor at the hospital to the chap pushing carts in the Walmart lot, ensures your success. What an excellent adventure. Keep me in the loop.

Bon Voyage, Chip

Section 3 - Part 1 - Thunder Bay to Dryden

The drive across to Dryden is now behind us, we dropped off Chip at the airport and headed west. We left Thunder Bay on 35, 236 miles and finished in Dryden on 35, 453 miles, a total of 217 miles. The drive was not as sunny as we have had before today and there was about an hour of heavy rain. I managed to lose Derek but we met up after an hour. We met some good people on the way across when we stopped at a service station. It was not Watford Gap and consisted of one pump and a small shop but the coffee was great. We ended up having to tell everyone in the shop what a 2CV was and that it was not an automatic. Everyone seemed to know someone in the UK. I met a couple who are touring Canada and were on there way back to Vancouver. Steve Elliott and Lucle Walker offered to play for us in Vancouver at what ever venue we want. As you never know if a band are any good he gave us two of there CDs. It fell on Derek to listen and approve Derek has given the OK. You can learn more about Elliot and Lucie at

www.rockincountryblues.com

During this segment we have crossed another time zone and saw a black bear on the main road.

A service station along the way, not exactly Watford Gap!

Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute

We went to visit the Thunder Bay Regional Research Instituite. Our tour which was very impressive. It is amazing how they use video conference units all around the province. The building is three years old and very modern. We met up with Ann-Marie Cline, Kim Latimer P.L.McGhee, Jessica Nehrebeck and many others who could not have been more helpful.

The Research Center's Garden of Hope for survivors and non-survivors

Like me, another famous survivor

Second Break - Thunder Bay

We've enjoyed a rest day in Thunder Bay. We had a visit to the cancer unit this morning and are going back for a tour this afternoon. The weather is still good but we have heared about floods in Winnipeg. We need to order a voltage regulator but we're hoping our contact in Winnipeg will have one.

I had a hair cut so I will be tidy for my birthday. Paul had his first run in the 2CV. As he is a big car driver it has come as a shock.

At the Cancer Unit in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay to Winnipeg C2C team

Three remaining hairs trimmed!

Section 2 - Part 3 - Wawa to Thunder Bay

More Beer = More Empties = More Research Money!

We are not leaving as early as we have done before. The motel we stayed in Wawa was OK but it would have been a good place to be if there had been a fire it was full of firemen so we found out in the morning. There is a fire 60 miles north and they where being flown up there to fight it. As we where leaving they gave us a donation.

After taking advice from a truck driver we drove north and left Barry to pick up some jump leads. He found it hard to catch up with us. In trying to do that Derek was stopped in our hire car by the police for speeding. After a lot of pleading he was let off.

The LFB meets the BFB

We carried on and had lunch in a small village called town Nipigon. This is where storyline begins in the great children's book 'Paddle to the sea'. I have got a copy for Sia. Had lunch and then headed to Thunder Bay just outside there was a sign to an amethyst mine after driving down tracks up and down but we found it in the end. Managed to get a few gifts. Then on to Thunder Bay. Paul our next co driver was waiting. Rest day Monday then on to Winnipeg Tuesday.

At the Amethyst Mine

In the morning we hoping to go to the cancer hospital here. I have tried to ring them but got no where. So I will knock on the door.

The www..comjustgiving..com/colin-craythorne site is close to 10k, amazing!