Team Blues Brothers

Catriona Syed
Of Blues Brothers
On the The Rickshaw Run Autumn 2011
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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Jaipur

We've made it to Jaipur having had a great day sightseeing yesterday - Agra Fort, Fatepuhr Sikri and then a couple of hours birding in the absolutely fantastic Keolando National Park - it may be off season, but with the help of our trusty local guide we spotted 25 varieties.

Today on our way here we had another puncture - why is it always when I am driving?  I am sure my team members will have views on this...we drove round Jaipur a few times looking for our hotel but amazingly enough found it in the end - only to find that another Rickshaw Runner had been here last night and was on the way to Bikaner today.  Thanks for helping to get us a discount, guys!  We've decided to stay here a couple of days so we can get to grips with Jaipur (well, I've only been here 3 times before but I am sure that one day I will get it sussed out...).

Catriona Syed
Of Blues Brothers
On the The Rickshaw Run Autumn 2011
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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Patna tonight

Mel drove over the Ganges today and we are chilling in a bar in Patna after a long day.  Last night we were in Purnia, which was a pretty low point - although the hotel had A/C and didn't smell, unfortunately it had fleas which obviously hadn't eaten for weeks.  After seeing the restaurant facilities, we didn't eat either.  My bad experience - nearly driving off the side of the road when trying to avoid a pothole the size of a lorry; Mel's - running out of fuel and road at the same time; George's - clipping two real rickshaws in Patna.  We are still speaking to each other and every evening (fleas or not) we have a wash to remind ourselves what we look like.

George drove out of Shillong in a monsoon - and handled it beautifully.  His high point - going over Coronation bridge on the Darjiling road and having baked beans and chips for breakfast in Siliguri.  Mel's high point - getting to grips with the beast and overtaking in potholes.  My high point - driving in a straight line on a dual carriageway.

Tomorrow - we're aiming for Gorakhpur as a stopover on the way to Lucknow.

Melanie Meigh

Here is the last contestant Mr Cool or named Elwood, lets hope that he lives up to his reputation

read more... Load Melanie

Catriona

<div>Like the Blues Brothers, we're on a mission...to raise as much as we can for Frank Water projects and to have as much fun as we can on the way!&nbsp; Like Goldie, Whoopi&nbsp;and Elwood, and leaving their faithful hounds, bathrooms and smart cars behind, Catriona, Melanie and George are setting off on&nbsp;our intrepid trek&nbsp;starting in the Himalays and&nbsp;if something goes seriously right ending in&nbsp;the the great Thar desert.&nbsp;&nbsp;We need your support (in fact, any support would be nice). Accepting that luxury starts and ends...exactly like that: beginning and end&nbsp;- anything in between is a bonus.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px"><img alt="Cry" border="0" src="editor2/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cry.gif" title="Cry" /></span></div><div></div><div>Starting on&nbsp;8th September 2011 you can follow our progress, especially our pre-route section which may mean that we do not make it to the starting post.&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px"><img alt="Cool" border="0" src="editor2/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" title="Cool" /></span></div><div></div><div>We have so far managed to sort out nothing other than the route&nbsp;of which we are justly proud&nbsp;- as you can see it is somewhat dodgy - map reading is not our strong point.&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px"><img alt="Frown" border="0" src="editor2/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-frown.gif" title="Frown" /></span></div><div></div><div>Still, we have over 6 &nbsp;months until the start date so have plenty of time for making yet more errors!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px"><img alt="Cool" border="0" src="editor2/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" title="Cool" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px">&nbsp;</span></div><div></div>