The Return

Gregg has returned home but Derek, Richard and John continue to entertain Venice for a few more days with Derek and John hoping to return the car home after the small break. Please keep giving, they haven't made it all the way back yet and for them the journey is only half way.

What has been quite amazing is that we have discovered that the Scally Rally 2nd Place Prize wasn't just trophy but £600 in cold hard cash. Needless to say we'll be adding it to our charity raising total once everyone is back.... with the car.

Again thanks to all that have donated, who have supported us and the Scally'er who helped us on the way. You all are truly epic.

Day After the Rally Before: Winning Celebrations

What a night! We came 2nd out of the 30 cars entered! Amazing! Celebrations lasted long into the night and we're suffering for it this morning. We'll be adding the winnings to our fund raising total. For now we'll continue to nurse our sore heads with italian coffee and plan our route back.

Day 5: Rimini

We made it!!! After all the long days and many car worries we arrived, just 5 minutes before the final challenge end time of 18:30! What a rally! Checked in and cleaning ourselves up for the rally party...

Day 5: Quest Complete

We have completed our quest, now in rimini at the finishing line after completing 1428  miles through europe. Well done vicky the vectra and the team.

Day 5: Venice

Busy... Venice is very busy. Spent most of the morning driving to Venice and then trying to find parking. However it has all been worth it. The sun is out and it's a pleasure for a change to be in a t-shirt. We finished up our planking tasks for our final full day of the rally. Now we're on our last dash to our hotel in Rimini.

Day 5: Venice - warm and sunny !?

Have arrived in Venice and its warm and sunny we must be the wrong place then because no rain.

Day 5: ... Start

Morning campers a sunny day in Cortina Italy. No need for the car, gondola would suit better. Next stop Venice.

Day 4: End

Made it Cortina safe and sound although slightly more traumatic then expected due finding the correct hotel but we've made it and it's lovely here. As you can see lovvvvvley...

Day 4: Dolomites

Final peak complete heading towards Cortina... Still in the clouds though...

Day 4: Stelvio

Well it was raining... snowing... And alas rain again! Nice while it lasted. Will try getting that one up if we ever find free wifi! For now this is all we have of the view under the snow line. On our way down that pass and on to the Dolomites (Pordoi pass).

Day 4: Start of our assent

We've stopped for a classic McDonalds and a jimmy riddle and now on our way to Stelvio pass... In the rain!

Day 4: Starting in sunny Como

Early morning rain and lightning. It should get better as we move away from these mountains. The most gruelling day of them all with some 48 hairpins. A long slow day ahead.

Day 3: Sun sun sun... Torrential rain

We've made it safe and sound to Como. We expected sun, we got lots of rain and it's still raining as we try and eat pizza from a pizzeria that doesn't sell pizza. Green pesto omelette man is all we've eaten so far ...

Day 3: Down the mountain

Been inside a glacier... Some what randomly and also eaten a €8 cheese sandwich and now heading to the hotel in the rain. Good times and massive mountains.

Day 3: Have coffee on the top of the world.

Day 3: Interlaken

Now in Interlaken and what beautiful place at 10.54 local time

Day 3: Mountains

We're well on our way through Switzerland. Mountains we're on our way!

Day 3: On to the Alps

On our way to the alps. Watch for next update of stunning photo's. P.S. Just turned on to the road in city centre and been pulled by police. No promlems! Derek talked he's way out trouble then sold them the car on his return.

Day 2: Now in switzerland having beers and its raining

Day 2: An Actual Photo

Sorry about the last start photo but heres one driving through France in the rain.

Day 2: Startline Calais

Day 1: At our hotel

Day 1: Now on the train

Day 1: hucknall market place

Scally Rally Europe 2011 Sept 15th – 20th Nottm-Italy

http://www.scallyrally.co.uk/

We’re taking part in the Scally Rally to raise funds for the Falcon House site of Sutherland House School, run by autism charity NORSACA, for looking after Dereks son Danial for the last 4years.

http://www.norsaca.org.uk/

The School have been excellent , fully supportive and deserve all the praise that OFSTED and most important the praise that the students and familys give.

Dan has been at the School since he was 15 years old he is now 19 and sadly in his final year he has progressed well the staff have boosted his confidence, he can access education he can access activities thanks to NORSACA thanks to SUTHERLAND HOUSE . We are hoping to raise funds for the School ,the School have asked for various equiptment including trampolines .

               A special thank you from

Daniel Howarth to all the staff at Sutherland House

The rules are simple; the car you use should have cost no more than £100. You are not limited to the amount of money you spend on fixing up the car,making it road worthy and getting through it's MOT. The Rally starts at Calais 15th Sep to register. Day1 Calais to Basel (Switzerland ),  Day2 Basel to Como (Italy),   Day3 Como to Cortinta (Italy),   Day4  Cartina to Rimi ( Rimi is the jewal of Italy). About 1,300 mile. This is not a race' But  endurance for the car and the drivers and on the way we get tasks to do that day and each task we complete we are assigned points, at the end of the rally if you and the car make it. there is award party for best car and highest point collected.

So here's the car we brought has a non-runner for £50 it had been sitting on a drive for the past 18 months while the owner was away in china and needed to get rid so they could sell up and didnt want this old car on there drive anymore. So we had it towed to Ashfield recovery for a quick once over to see if it could be saved.

Thanks to Phil Wade of Paddle Art (http://www.paddleart.co.uk/) we now have our car ready for the

 Scally rally