Blog::
The final leg of the 'Moss Marathon' is underway.
Mac Mackenney | 19th Oct 2009
2 messages :: read>
At precisely 12:30 the P&O ferry 'Pride of Bilbao' smoothly steamed out of Bilbao port on its way to Portsmouth. On board were two over-worked Land Rovers and two very weary drivers. For the first time since leaving Oslo 7 days ago, both cars and drivers can look forward to the luxury of a well-earned rest.
Having travelled in the region of 5,000 miles through 16 countries, covering north, south, east and west Europe, the final two team members of the Moss Marathon Mac and Jim are enjoying the delights of a cabin each and passage home courtesy of P&O Ferries. When P&O were first approached for support on this fund-raising project, their response was an immediate and resounding 'yes', only too willing to back the charity, Help for Heroes.
As this news item is being written, both Mac and Jim are enjoying a well-earned shower and the comfort of real beds! Their journey home will take in the region of 24 hours, arriving at Portsmouth, only one hour from the Max Adventure office. This not only saves 2 days of driving, but allows Mac and Jim to finally relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment and stress free travel.
It has been an amazing adventure, and difficult to believe that it has all taken place in just over a week - it seems like they have been away for a month. Next stop - Cape Town!
Post a comment on this article>
| By: Wayne | When: 22nd Oct 2009 01:10 | Well done to whole team. You'll smash the Cape Town record. Good |
| By: Dig | When: 21st Oct 2009 10:39 | Well done! Followed your progress with great interest and glad that you didn't need to use your skills from the surviving adventure course. I look forward to following your progress to Cape Town. |
HOMEPAGE :: Oslo To Lisbon
Other Oslo To Lisbon Blogs
20th Oct 2009 
Jim AllenGoing home courtesy of P&O
On the P&O ferry on the way home - Bilbao to Portsmouth.
18th Oct 2009 Jack BurnfordHeading north again
We've just crossed the border from Portugal to Spain heading north. It's the same border we were at a couple of days ago, the finish line.
17th Oct 2009 Jim AllenA true honour
With sore heads we set off to meet our Patron, Sir Stirling Moss.
16th Oct 2009 Jim AllenWe've Arrived
The guys woke me up just before the border to say that we had made it in time.
15th Oct 2009 Jim AllenSweeping roads and big boats.
Will really loved the drive south to the French coast, with its beautiful Italian sweeping roads that we had to ourselves and ideal for his powerful motorbike.
Other blogs by Mac Mackenney
1st Jul 2011 Mac MackenneyAn apology to Tony in Nairobi.
I've finally completed the last article about our record-breaking drive from London to Cape Town.
24th Jun 2011 Mac MackenneyMac and his Big Banger!
A weekend off-road motorcycling in Devon makes the pages of Trail magazine.
9th Nov 2010 Mac MackenneyPiecing Together History
I'm keen to hear from anyone who knows about the previous London to Cape Town driving records.
8th Nov 2010 Mac MackenneyGossip on the internet!
I've had great fun reading all the gossip on the internet - apparently the vehicle fell apart and we 'dicked' around too much at the borders - really?!
3rd Nov 2010 Mac MackenneyThe Art of Travel
Some art I can get, others just don't do it for me, but the one piece that I really liked was a solid stone 'map' of Africa with a chess board built into it.
2nd Nov 2010 Mac MackenneyUnaccustomed as I am to Public Speaking....
2 messages
It's almost midnight and Chris and I have just come back from the McCarthy Land Rover dealership on the outskirts of Cape Town
1st Nov 2010 Mac MackenneyIt could have easily gone so wrong...
Now that the hectic planning for this trip is over, with time to relax and reflect on what we've achieved.
30th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyMac's Blog - Cape Town Part 2
2 messages
The reception when we arrived was amazing and we didn't stop for the whole day, being ushered from one interview and reception to another.
28th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyMac's Blog - Arrival in Cape Town
I can't believe that we are actually here, it still hasn't sunk in yet. Looking at a map of Africa makes it even more unbelievable.
26th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyMac's blog - Zambian Border
10 messages
The youths following us closed in tighter as we marched passed everyone and towards a darkened door that seemed to lead down into a cellar.
25th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyFrustration
2 messages
After dropping off our two Police guards yesterday morning in Isiolo, we made great progress driving to Nairobi.
25th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyDarkest Africa
11 messages
Yesterday was filled with a variety of emotion - worry, elation and then frustration, all in just a few hours.
23rd Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyRoad Sense
20 messages
We're currently racing down a narrow and twisty road, packed with people, cars, trucks, goats and cows!
22nd Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyAfrica Hits Back
9 messages
Fun, games and rule changes getting into Ethiopia
20th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyMac Hits Africa
4 messages
The elation of entering Saudi Arabia soon turned to nervousness about our ferry passage to Sudan
19th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyStiff Upper Lip Wobbles
17 messages
Ok, I'll admit it, I did have a little grizzle in the back of the land rover as we drove out of the Halat Ammar border crossing.
19th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyThrough Syria and into Jordan
14 messages
Yes, it was only yesterday, but I'm having real trouble remembering what happened and which country I was in!
17th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyWe seem to have settled down into a routine
7 messages
The whole key to our approach in order to try and beat this record is to just keep moving.
16th Oct 2010 Mac MackenneyFinally, we're on our way!
2 messages
So, this is it. 15 years thinking about it, 2 years planning it and we are finally on our way!
5th May 2010 Mac MackenneyInspirational Talk to Kids
Mac visited a Devon primary school to talk about his adventures
26th Apr 2010 Mac Mackenney...as long as he's not too scary!?
'Sergeant Major' Steve Holland to join Bus to Bollywood team on one condition!
8th Apr 2010 Mac MackenneyThe Elusive Left Hand Drive
1 message
Expedition progress is going well, but what we don't yet have is the elusive second left hand drive Land Rover!
6th Apr 2010 Mac MackenneyLand Rover World offer to Help
I had an email from the Editor of Land Rover World magazine today with an offer to help us .
26th Mar 2010 Mac MackenneyNew sponsors at the Outdoor Show?
The 'Sergeant Major' and I attended the Outdoor Show looking for new sponsors.
23rd Mar 2010 Mac MackenneyHow Strong?!
Loctite Glue - I have never seen glue as strong as this before, it was absolutely amazing.
8th Mar 2010 Mac MackenneyMax Adventure Patrons hurt
Both Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Stirling Moss injured on the same day
26th Feb 2010 Mac MackenneyTime of My Life
1 message
Picking 8 songs that have real meaning in my life is harder than I thought!
19th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyThe final leg of the 'Moss Marathon' is underway.
2 messages
At precisely 12:30 the P&O ferry 'Pride of Bilbao' smoothly steamed out of Bilbao port on its way to Portsmouth
18th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyAm I dead?!
I come to. As I prise my weary eyes open I can see nothing, hear nothing and feel nothing.
14th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyWhat a pratt!
1 message
Had I had more time to plan I would have remembered that Austria was to be visited after Liechtenstein.
13th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyRain and roadworks
Our drive to Cape Town will be hard though and so if we are to succeed and more importantly keep it safe, we must start to train together.
11th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyA cold night
1 message
I didn't sleep well last night, I couldn't be bothered to get out of bed and retrieve a second sleeping bag.
10th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyFrom Reading to Oslo
The drive to Harwich for the ferry across to Holland was relaxing and uncomplicated.
9th Oct 2009 Mac MackenneyWe'refinally off!
It's not how I wanted it to be, all rushed, packing in disarray, unsure as to whether I had remembered everything and generally an air of chaos about the whole thing.
13th Jul 2009 Mac MackenneyTop Bloke
Will and I drove up to meet with Eric Jackson, the current record holder for the London to Cape Town run.
20th Jun 2009 Mac MackenneyWhat an Honour
I was outside, under the bonnet of one of my Land Rovers when the postman turned up with a smart looking letter. On the back were clearly marked the initials 'SM'.