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3 days to go...

Last night was a late one - we got to Bridgwater (shock, horror) at 1am after a long first drive, and all 3 of us were asleep within 5 minutes (in separate rooms, thank god. Sharing the confines of a Saxo for 5 hours is a gentle enough introduction). It gave us a chance to try out our super new sleeping bags - each carefully handpicked, using our in depth knowledge of rally camping. As it turns out, sleeping in a 4 season sleeping bag in a nice warm room is quite possibly more uncomfortable than a freezing Siberian border. I was up at 6am thanks to my sister overly excited about seeing me, and made sure that I had at least one of my wingmen to share the sleep deprivation. Will was that lucky wingman.

Our plan for today was the "tour" day - doing the family rounds, giving them a tour of the car, posing for more pictures in a day than would is usually humanely possible. Luckily though, we were decked out in our new Mongol Rally kit (pictures to follow), and therefore looked like heroes. We visited uncles and aunties, grandmothers and grandfathers, brothers and sisters, mums and dads - I don't think anyone gives you credit for the energy it takes doing the family rounds; it's 11pm and Will has already hit the sack, Mackey crashed out on the sofa, and i'm typing at a strange angle on the armchair, ready to drop. Oh, and we met Missy the dog. I loved Missy the dog.

As you can probably see from the live map, we did lots of North Somerset driving. Mackey did well in getting the last job completed on Pete the Saxo - a bit of wheel balancing action. For those less clued up with these very technical terms, wheel balancing is the art of ensuring that the wheels... are... well, balanced. Unbalanced wheels cause nasty steering wheel wobble, especially at high speeds. Considering Pete the Saxo has now been unleashed onto the UK's motorway network, it has now become an issue (we only reached 80mph a couple of times on Tresco). It could also lead to some uneven tyre wear. Keeping in mind our precious 4 + 2 spare tyres will already be taking a pounding, we best though to get this sorted. James, Will & Nick send their big thanks to Howard's Toyota of Weston Super Mare for doing this for us, without charging a penny!

As Nick was hard in negotiations with Howard's Toyota, James & Will decided to hit up the sprawling metropolis of Taunton, to pick up some last minute equipment for the rally. As Nick had Pete the Saxo under his command, we decided to call in our backup Mongol Rally vehicle - Ellen the Audi. We've utilised some cutting edge photo manipulation software to show you how Ellen the Audi would have looked should she have been our chosen vehicle.

We found a lovely camping shop, and even had an indepth discussion with the lovely sales assistant about her holidays to Tresco. She watched as we filled basket after basket with camping supplies, and continued to chat about that time she went to the Abbey Gardens, or that time she saw a seal. We thought she was lovely, until she quite blatently turned down the till ladies enquiry whether we might be gifted a small amount of discount (especially considering the amount we were spending; probably equating to the GDP of Kyrgyzstan). Therefore, after her in-your-face putdown, we will retaliate like the grown ups we are, and not mention her shop. Ha, have that!

Should you not know, we do still have a few Scilly Mission t-shirts and polo shirts available for purchase. Despite my earlier worries the official merchandise would not attract the attention it deserves, we have seemingly sold the majority of our goods. It seems The Islanders have a talent for creating fashion (watch out for Mackey's undergarment range due out this winter). If you're interested in purchasing one of these garments, both a fashion statement and a collectors item, then please do get in touch with Jo Ash! (Left: Liam Jenkins rocking it out with the Mongol Rally tshirt; available now. The tshirt, not Liam).

Tomorrow's plan: Repack the car. After squashing in our bags, tents, sleeping bags, and the thousand other things i'm far too tired to list, we realised we're in desperate need of some efficient organising. It's so bad, that, as it stands, we have no room for the football, frisbee or Guitar Hero.

Pete the Saxo might have also developed a rather large rattling noise under the engine. This rattle actually found it's birthplace on Tresco, but might be getting a little louder now the engine can unleash all 42 horsepowers on the road. Mackey has assured us it's something simple; maybe the bottom end of the manifold on the sump guard when accelerating. Either way, we're giving him free reign with a screwdriver, hammer and duct tape (and a whole lot of hope).

One last thing - we had a last minute idea to raise money for our charity; get your face on the car. As you can see from the photo to your right, we had a couple of last minute takers. And I hope you'll agree; it looks awesome. Following Pete the Saxo in Ellen the Audi, seeing the likes of Ross Christopher, Jake Newton and Harry Getliffe staring back at you is just surreal. Judging from the looks on our fellow motorway inhabitants, they share our enthusiasm.

Sorry if this blog isn't the most interesting in the world. We promise you more scandal, heartbreak, tragedy and adventure than you could possibly handle in just 3 days time.....

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