Ladoga 2007

From the 30th of May Paul will be at LADOGA 2007 Acting as Support Crew For a Raid Team Internet permitting this page will cover the Event from his perspective.

We hope you will enjoy it!

Tuesday 29th May

My day started at 3.30 I had forgotten they had one in the morning as well. Sara and my boys took me to the airport and to see me off. I had some last minute unexpected extra baggage. The team had forgotten to take their winch cable with them? I sincerely hope that is not an omen! Took off from Liverpool at 6.00 am arrived Riga (Latvia) approx 10.00 am. By this time I was ready to part with my breakfast over any unfortunate that got too close. Latvia seems a bit like Spain, well I think so from the bits I had manage to see. I only have 6 hours to kill before I catch an Eastern European overnight sleeper to St Petersburg. On a top bunk, lord help the guy below me with my stomach parting with everything that I put in it, and some things I neither recognise or remember. Well it seemed like a good idea back home in the UK. I just hope the guy in the lower bunk is an easy going sort of guy when I bid him “Dosvidania” as I get off.

St. Petersburg

Wednesday 30th May

I have finally arrived in St Petersburg after a VERY VERY long train journey, I have to say it may have been the worst journey I have ever taken in my life. The beds were not made to facilitate what we shall call a manly frame!! Bear in mind I had to sleep with all my luggage and one eye open in case of muggers or pickpockets- I purposely put my passport down my pants so if I was mugged at least I was happy!!

I am afraid the sickness has not subsided yet, I am hoping that now I am on ground that does not move I will start feeling better. Home for the next couple of days is Rob’s friends floor in a sleeping bag then we will be travelling to the start of the event. Am not sure on the sightseeing as Robs usually consists of very dubious bars but St Petersburg is a magnificent place. I am now looking forward to the event and putting the last couple of days travelling behind me!!

After a bit of a rest up, it was time to get down to business.. Now that my surroundings stand still I have at least held on to a meal ( for now at least) I have started to work on “Ts” truck. Sorting out the battery mount and an electric cooling fan, and a load more stuff to get it ready for battle. The local kids have taken to lobbing stones at us, it seems to keep them amused anyway. In actual fact its just like being back home, thanks kids.!

Thursday 31st May

Scrutineering for the event has started. Aide’s Series 3 has passed for TR1. Tourist Class was full so he had no choice!

Oleg and Glynn’s vehicles have also cleared scrutineering, and are entered in Raid Class. Still working on Toni’s LR90. Still kept busy but enjoying it all the same.

The locals are as friendly as back at home! On the way back to the apartment, 3 kindly souls tried to become better acquainted with any valuables I might have had about my person. After a brief exchange of views, they decided to take to the ‘hoof’ and disappear. We now move around as a group and hopefully avoid a similar event!

Friday 1st June

Finally finished Toni’s LR90 and he has headed off to scrutineering. As Aide’s vehicle has had to move up a class to TR1 we are beefing it up and making a few modifications to hopefully assist in the event.

Saturday 2nd June

We officially have started the event. I drove Paul’s vehicle over the start ramp, and have caught up with Jez and co. Now following the Raid team to camp. No more mod cons from here onwards. If you have to crap pick a bush. After looking over some of the Proto Trucks entered, they look even madder than up close than even I expected!!

Sunday 3rd June

We are now moving to 2nd Service area. Ade & Paul still missing. Organisers have sent out EVAC teams to search for stragglers etc. Found one Russian team stuck on a beach with their truck half way underwater.

19.00 hrs Ade & Paul finally turned up.. They had been slowly winching themselves out of difficulty, as well as getting pissed with a load of Russian's who were also stuck and trying to winch themselves out. Problems never look the same when you have had a skin full!! The good news is as they winched themselves out they are not disqualified.

Sorry we hoped to be including pictures from Ladoga daily, but technology isn’t cooperating.

Monday 4th June

We are approx 200m form anywhere on a map? Messages are getting more difficult to send due to the sporadic availability of coverage. The Team is 5th in their class with approx 75% of the opposition broken or destroyed in some way or another. This event is brutal on the men and the machines. Good news after shrewd shopping around and some deft and hazardous negotiations, we are the proud owners of a new porta toilet for the huge sum of £4.00p. I can only add aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!