Doing the necessary repairs.

My convoy team leader suggested I take the van back to Bristol. " Thank god" I thought "I took out a break down recovery policy". This meant there is a great possibility that I would miss the departure of the national convoy. The frustration and disappointment was almost unimaginable. Also, the thought that I would not be able to pick up the donations that were prmissed by the Iranian community in London - including dental repair equipment. But it had to be done! Called the break down services and got the van on the back of the truck - what a cowboy driver! Had a very scary drive back to near Membury services where I changed trucks - what a relief.

Back in Bristol I was so glad to see mechanics in Ali's Garage were waiting for me - Thanks to Sakir, our team leader who ad informed them. They immediately went into action and confirmed my worst fears. A part was needed and I had to wait till Monday for them to et the part. By now, I was feeling quite down but kept telling myself these are the sorts of hurdles that have to be faced on such a journey. However, I could not help but think that we should have spent more time in selections and preperation of vehicles.

The "support" team beck in Bristol was great. I contacted Ed whose whole manerism and attitude is calm and reassuring. I had calls from a few others to give practical help and moral support. Mohamed, as usual, had a few suggestions to turn a disappointing situation into a positive advantage. One of them was "we have time to graffiti the van and put donation information on it" Great! Shahid very kindly agreed to do this at short notice.

One of the advantages of the delayed departure was that I could spend the weekend with my family who were obviously very surprise to see me back at home! However, I am now getting a bit anxious about travelling on my own till I catch up with the convoy. I am hoping the garage will give the van a goodservice as well as fixint the broken gear linkage. At one point, there was a possibility that another driver who was left behind due to losing his passport would join me but no chance. Getting another passport, he said, would take more than a week at the very least.

So armed with advice from an expert mechanic about the tools to take for emergency maintenance, I am ready to face the road on my own!

The journey starts - or does it?

Well, the big day came. The 4th Dec 2009, the day the Bristol convoy was due to leave town with a "send-off" events. Dropped my son at school meeting quite a few parents who wished me well on the way, got in the, now quite famous, Skoda and set off for Bristol. Once in the centre, saw the unmissable truck. Was struck by the small size of the send off party. Nevertheless, the excitement of the small crowed was palpable. Speeches were made and messages of goodwill were exchanged. It was an emotional moment for all gathered. Once the speeches were over, we all set off marching towards Easton and chanting and collecting. All vehicles were parked near the mosque waiting for the prayer to finish so that the ralley could begin. I had to set off to Coalway school though before the start of the rally as I was due to collect childran's presents and messages of support for the children of Gaza. Got to the school, decorated the Van with some posters when the press photographer arrived. Once the photography session was over, got in the van, and after a couple of hours or so spending with my family, set off for London. Half way to London, the clutch started playing up and after a few miles, something happened to the gear lever which made it impossible to change gear. "Oh no" I thought, "disaster" There was obviously someting seriously wrong with the car and it was stuck in the second gear. It was now dark and I felt vonurable going at 30 mph on the motorway. So struggled to come off the motorway and after much query and inspection of road atlases in petrol stations, found my way to my sister's completing 35 miles or so, all in second gear. By the ime I got there, my frustration was unbearable for it was obvious that I will not make it to the vehicle registration event due to happen on 5th and fearedI may completely miss out on the journey. Locked all doors but one from inside - the keys don't lock the doors! - sat discussing with my sister till early hours and went to bed exhausted. Next morning, contacted Sakir and on his advice, phoned up break down rescue service and got towed back to Bristol. Dropped the van at the garage where I found out it cannot be repaied before Monday. Blast! Now I'll have to start the journey alone and try to catch up with the convoy! The support and advice of the whole Bristol "support" group was the only reason, other then the thought of having more time with my family, which hept my spirt up.