The directors cut of the movie is finally complete. Be the first of your friends to see the greatest film since 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' here :-
 MBoB The Movie
 
 

Chris was on a mission today to get a Ginsters pasty. Knowing Matt and Rachels luck with the channel tunnel we left early expecting problems. True to form the trains were delayed by a breakdown in the tunnel.
In the UK Chris departed at warp speed for the nearest pasty and the rest of the team left on a pub hunt. The newly opened Cherry Tree did the rest of us proud !
So MBoB fans after 2455 miles the trip is over. We failed at the Stelvio Pass but conquered Monte Baldo.
Stay tuned for the film and for more exciting episodes in 2013.
Love you all from the MBoB crew.
XXX

Quick trip to the cathedral this morning to give thanks for our safe journey and feed the one Euro press your own coin machine, then off on the final push to England.
We obviously didn't give enough thanks as we unexpectedly split up
after 20 seconds.
Chris took the fast route to the toll booths.
Rachel and Matt took the slower route.
Steve, Tracey and Roger took the quick route to the supermarket to stock up for an al-freso picnic.

And still we all arrived at the same end point - result !

Today was the day we decided to approach Reimes in a pincer movement using every road in France. Rachel, Matt and Chris took the left hand side of France, Roger, Steve and Tracey took the right hand side. Should anyone travel down the right hand side of France now and see a Garage owner with a glazed expression , sorry that was us.
Shouting 'Wednesday' at him in French instead of 'Thank You' has probably tipped him over the edge into insanity.

Time for some activity before leaving Chamonix.
Chris decided he needed to fling himself off a mountain whilst attached to a parachute. Pity he wasn't allowed to used his camera whilst flying above the world , but the pre-takeoff photos will be available soon :)

Steve an Roger ascended to the top of the world to the silly height 0f 3800m in small swinging boxes attached to thin wire. No-one told them you wouldn't be able to breath in the thin oxygen.


Matt, Rachel and Tracey did the bravest thing of all in our opinion- braving the Chamonix prices and doing some serious shopping !

Still hot from the last weeks weather it was decided that the only way to really cool down would be to lick a glacier. Usually this would cause a few problems however in Chamonix we were fortunate to find one that could be reached. The only problem seemed to be cable cars which Tracey and Matt don't do. Fortunately a train was found that was , by luck , going our way and we made it to the edge of the glacier and gave it a good cooling lick.

In order to avoid Milan we made the decision to visit more lakes and head up to Como for a quick stop. Not the best of ideas when it is 36c and you discover Como and group parking doesn't exist in the same universe. Perhaps in a parallel universe, where everyone's favorite colour is mauve, Como is very nice but we'll give it a miss thanks all the same.
So on to Chamonix it was. Everyone still cooking; Rachel and Matt missing in action; Roger now taking a detour to Milan; Chris,Steve and Tracey trying to keep the CB's from overheating; but once we hit the mountain tunnels it all cooled down. 

Chamonix helped us regain our karma with it's beautiful appearance and welcoming shower of rain. Time to do what all intrepid explorers do and explore the restaurants for some good food and drink.

The celebrations began today with a trip to Venice. Two important
things we learnt :-
1. Don't choose the cheaper slower trains to get there
because they are slower.
2. Buy a map whilst there.True to form we didn't
and navigation again became an issue.


One worrying situation has reared it's ugly head and that is the news that Chris' underwear situation is becoming critical. It may soon be time to used the reverse and wear again trick.


Soon be time to hit the road again onto Chamonix so see you there MBoB fans !

 XXX

Having been forced back by snow whilst attempting the Monte Baldo mountain via the Stelvio Pass approach it was time to make some difficult decisions. A brief meeting was convened over cornflakes and iced tea and it was decided to attempt the ascent on the summit via the notorious 'cable car' route. We knew this route was fraught with danger but time was not on our side now. Leaving Tracey to man the mobile phone communication at base camp we began the final
approach in the early morning.
By dinner time we had not reached camp one at Malcesine having been slowed by the lake beach traffic and the need to stop for dinner , and it was beginning to look as if we would fail to reach our final target. We were also lost again !
By early afternoon we finally reached Malcesine and Matt set up the communication point here leaving the rest of the team to push on upwards. The tearful farewell over, we set off. We can report that the summit was reached by mid afternoon without loss of life to any of the team or sherpas, and the goal of our mission was completed.

Thanks for all the good wishes and news of the allotment back home. We'll see you all soon.
XXX

The main team spent the day by the pool catching the rays , drinking lager and thinking of the fate of our 'transport solution' team.
After a brave battle against the channel tunnel delay and the French
tolls the backup team finally arrives to the great relief of the starting
team. Shopping can now commence with the arrival of extra luggage space ! We will call this car the 'Cheese Mobile' in recognition of what it will transport back (and most of us have a great sigh of relief that it won't be us it's in the car with).

To celebrate a massive BBQ commenced, until we were all sausaged out.

Love from the full team !