Sorry, bit late today finishing up in the office and packing up for next week so went out for a quick few drinks after work with my able and delightful assistant, Gabriella, and her equally as beautiful sister, Tami - there you go girls, now you're famous wait for the Hollywood contracts to come flooding in....... Anyway, we started talking about the trip, inevitably, and we got to wondering what sort of bag I should take. A fairly simple thing I hear you say. Well normally, yes, but on this occasion, no. My old friend Sean furrowed his brow and said, "buy one out there mate, much cheaper!" Brilliant, so I just walk through customs with clothes hanging off every limb looking like a chinese laundry employee? Nah. Now I do agree with Sean that everything else, sure, just buy it en route - fill ya boots, but a bag.......... It has to be big enough to fit all my clothes in, including the tighty whiteys (not yet purchased, thinking of having them made in India. Modelled on an elephants head ;-)) but not so big that I'll be the first man to wheelie across America, (now there's a challenge). So I'm thinking canvas, practical, not to big but easy to strap on to the back of me hog. Should do the trick. Note to self, better go and find one tomorrow.

Fund raising is going well, up to £1600 which is great, many thanks to those who've donated - truly amazing, thank you. In the meantime, young Nutting (my travelling companian) continues to sun his ample derriere down in Bali, presumably girding his loins and resting beforing springing into action to help with all the arrangements when he arrives back to the UK the day before we leave - idle bastard. Massimo, however, who's joining us for the first week, is so excited we had reports that his wife is looking into getting him some adult incontinence underpants (my mate Sean recommends the "Sleep easy" variety apparently. Pracical and fashionable - whaaaaat!!!!!?????) to prevent small dribbles all over the house, bless.

Tomorrow, drop kids off at school, gym, meeting with lawyers to discuss will (mine not the idle version in bali) buy appropriate travelling bag, then out to dinner. All looking good for a friday. More soon..................................

Well, day 2 and I am genuinely amazed by how generous people have been with their donations and best wishes. I wasn't originally going to try and raise money for charity, but our US logistics coordinator, "Young" Johnny Churchill, said that I should. Even £5 raised is better than nothing, so the "just giving" website was created. The only worrying aspect of the trip is how many people seem to know what it's like to have a sore arse. A very worrying development amoungst my friend and colleagues!

Still, £775 raised so far with the promise of more suddenly makes it all worth while. Although I'm now seriously beginning to question what clothes to take. Obviously we carry what we bring so the minimum required I'm guessing and I'm hoping that some of the motels will provide an overnight washing service, othetrwise we'll smell like a piece of cheese in a dead rat left in the sun in a locked room. Less is more but even then; Boots or shoes, coat or sweatshirt, t-shirt or polo shirt? I'm beginning to realise what it's like for the planning required for a woman's friday night. Note to self, never berate Mrs Pym for being late again. the awful thing is, I think I'm going to have to buy myself some "tighty whiteys". Never thought I'd say! too much detail? Sorry. More to follow...................

The 7 P's

Well, I've never done this before and I'm certainly no real blogger but We thought this would be fun to do so people who are interested (probably about 3 of you) could follow our trip.

The idea came when both William Nutting and I both resigned at more or less the same time and so we decided to do something other than sit at home, watch TV and moan about the weather, which seemed like a pretty good idea to me! After some thought, and both armed with a motorbike licence each, driving across America seemed like a sane alternatively. The planning was relatively simple, with the help from our friends at Eagl Rider in the States. the main problem we had was time and participents. Plenty of people said it would be fun, very few however would commit. So it was left to William and William, along with my good friend Massimo Segu (who'll join us for the first week) to attempt the trip.

We leave for London on the 4th and then set off on the 5th to San Francisco to begin this epic adventure!!

More soon...........