Nanhui to Longbridge 2010
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WE DID IT!

6 HUMBLE MG'S DROVE FROM CHINA TO THE UK WITH PASSION BUT WITHOUT A BACK-UP VEHICLE OR A DOCTOR!

EVERY NIGHT WE ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL WE HAD BOOKED MONTHS BEFORE! THAT IS NOT TO SAY WE DID NOT HAVE CAR PROBLEMS, BUT THEY WERE RESOLVED EACH DAY ALONG THE ROUTE...

RIP "CHERRY CAR" AND THE BESLEY'S "ORANGE CAR" WERE THE ONLY MG'S (MGA AND MGB ROADSTERS) THAT COMPLETED THE MG CHINA FACTORY TO MG BRITAIN FACTORY PORTION OF THE TRIP. IAN AND DENISE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE TO COMPLETE FACTORY TO FACTORY (I DROVE WITH THE GUIDE FOR 30 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING HALF MY STOMACHE ON THE ROAD SIDE...). CONGRATULATIONS, IAN AND DENISE.

THREE OTHER COUPLES DROVE FROM CHINA TO THE UK!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO SUE AND KEN SLATER, PETER AND KERITH BUCKINGHAM AND REG AND MARY BOWRAN.

OTHER TEAM MEMBERS WHO DROVE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE ROUTE ARE DAN CASEY, SIMON AND MADELEINE BOADLE, MACCA AND LORRAINE MCCLEAVE, MIKE AND LOU BRETT (SOUTH AFRICA), VIN RAFTER (UK) AND MY WIFE, LAUREL. CONGRATULATION TO ALL OF YOU TOO!

BEING WELCOMED BY THE OF LONGBRIDGE PLANT, WILLIAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MGCC, JOHN DAY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABINGDON CENTRY IS TESTAMOUNT TO THE INTEREST OUR TRIP HAS GENERATED AND THE SUCCESS WE HAVE ACHEIVED FOR OUR MARQUE - MG!

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SHAPED THIS TRIP, STARTING 4 YEARS AGO RIGHT UP TO THE FINISHING LINE AT LONGBRIDGE, FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND BELIEF IN OUR DREAM - TO BE THE FIRST MGS TO DRIVE FROM MG CHINA TO MG BRITAIN, EVER!!!!!

LONG MAY THE MG BRAND LIVE!

DAVE GODWIN
PROUD TEAM LEADER

PS - Sue's Blog is now up to date and Dave's Diary will be completed in the next few days.

DAVE'S DIARY - Tuesday 6 July- CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST

Track the teams progress on Google Earth - click the link below and read notes that follow:

Click here to see our progress - as at 12 July

(you'll need Google Earth installed on your computer first click here to download)

SUE SLATER'S TRIP BLOG CLICK HERE

The team in Cappadocia Turkey

Regalia Available - Click Here

Is there anyone who will agree to travel this summer from Peking to Paris by automobile?
Le Matin Newspaper - 31 January 1907

On 10 June 1907 eleven men in five cars assembled at the French embassy in Peking (now Beijing) for the start of what would become one of the most famous motor rallies in history.

The original proposal by Le Matin was to drive from Paris to Peking, but the plan was later reversed to avoid the summer rains in northern China. For the next few months the Peking to Paris raid would capture the hearts and imagination of Europe.

The entrants faced formidable challenges. It was only 20 years since the first motor-cars and few imagined such impractical vehicles could cross two continents, or go on to become the global problem they are today.
Fuel and spare parts were sent ahead by foot, mule and camel to supply the vehicles. (Source www.beijingtoparis.com)

Nanhui to Longbridge

Along the Silk Road 2010

Our plan is for 3 to 5 MGA or MGB owners from Australia or abroad, to pool their knowledge and resources and share in an experience of a life time from Beijing to Paris via Istanbul from April 2010.

This is not a race, nor rally; just a gently amble, talking to the locals, eating their food and sleeping in their motels. Sealed roads will be chosen where possible and time will be made to enjoy the sights along the way.

The trip will be divided into two parts –

 Beijing to Istanbul – Approximately 2 months. PY, a well travelled MGA owner, has offered to choose a scenic route and "escort" us through China, through the ‘Stans, along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea and on to the southern shores of Turkey, before heading north to Gallipoli and Istanbul.

 Istanbul to Paris and Longbridge – Approximately 1 month – to take in Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, France and England.

There is an official Beijing to Paris Rally taking place in September 2010 along the Silk Road but our trip is planned to take place earlier when spring is in the air in China and summer should see us in Europe and the UK. How good is that!

Anyone who would like further information or who can help in any way, please contact me. This webpage will be updated regularly for those wishing to participate or simply follow our travellers on their grand adventure!

Happy dreaming………

Dave and Laurel Godwin
0412 029277
murphgod@hotmail.com

 

 
 
 
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