Spring bushcraft course at GTC is a surprisingly sunny success

Last Saturday saw the GTC team head down to the woods for the first time this year, running another Travelskills survival and bushcraft course for women travellers. Unlike last time, when the heavens opened and we clung to our hot chocolates round the covered fire, this time the weather was truly beautiful; mild, sunny and with green shoots sprouting all around. And there was cake.

The group learnt many skills, including how to light a fire using tinder and a battery, as well as purifying water and learning how to make a tent peg. The latter doesn't sound overly thrilling, I grant you, but is useful for SO many things, from making a pot hanger (to suspend your billy can of tea safely over the fire you've just successfully lit) to er, well, putting your tent up. And blimey, as for the uses of lavender oil and a small handbag mirror, where do I start?

And the lunch, well, I can safely say it was truly amazing as I didn't have anything to do with it; once again the lovely Val cooked up a dribble-inducing side of trout, new potatoes and stir-fried vegetables cooked over the open fire, with muchos beveragos hottos to warm one's cockles.

For those more concerned with the, ahem, lavatorial facilities, we were delighted to unveil Wayne's new facility, a composting toilet of such wonder and glory that we will be bringing you photographic evidence shortly, as well as instructions in case you wish to forgo 21st century plumbing and build your own at the bottom of the garden. If you fancy joining us on the next course, please ring us on 0800 012 4116, or send an email to info@girlstravelclub.co.uk and we'll send you all the details you need.

"Thank you for a great day last weekend down at Arundel, Emma and I really enjoyed the course, we learnt so much. It was a lot better than anything I have learnt on Duke of Edinbrough. We especially enjoyed learning the fire skills and trying to light a fire without matches. We now feel ready to head out into the wilderness with our new skills! Thanks again, Sarah"

Cycling The Americas for Charity!

To be frank, here at GTC there's always an argument about who's going to go out and get the milk if there's even a sniff of rain, so we are always in awe of those who are willing to travel more than 300 yards without a car, possibly in inclement weather. We're therefore delighted that we're going to be following the progress of a remarkable couple, Joy and Joff, who have packed in their day jobs in order to cycle the length of the Americas. They're going to be keeping us regularly updated with their progress, and here is their first instalment..... we wish them all the luck in the world and look forward to hearing more of their travels!

In May 2009 we are leaving to begin cycling across - and then down - the continents of America - partly to have an adventure and partly in order to avoid work….

On our honeymoon last January, Joff asked his wife of 5 months whether she would consider doing something that he had wanted to do for a long time….

Much to my surprise, with no hesitation she agreed to go. Since that fateful day in February they have been planning routes, reading of others’ adventures, buying clothing, training (occasionally) and generally getting ready, both mentally and physically.

The route will take them from Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada across the States, via New England and the Mid West, to Seattle on the west coast. After a detour into Vancouver they’ll head south towards the sun, pedalling the west coast highways of Washington, Oregon and California before crossing into Mexico; hopefully in time for Christmas.

From there it’s a straight run along the west coast, perhaps with a few meanderings inland, until they end up in Tierra del Fuego, in southern Argentina.

For relaxation, they plan on doing some sea kayaking in places such as Vancouver Island and Baja California.

The aim is to camp for much of the route, but youth hostels, B&B’s, friends, tenuous contacts and complete strangers will hopefully all play their part in helping them. A website called http://www.couchsurfing.com/ has introduced them to a new world of opportunity in terms of accommodation.

They figure that by leaving Britain in May, they’ll reach the far side of the States by the end of August, and southern California or even Mexico by December. The intention is that they’ll be home the following Christmas. Fingers crossed.

They decided quite early on that they should do the trip in aid of charity. The nephew of Joff’s best man at their wedding has a strain of Muscular Dystrophy called Duchenne. From what they understand, research into this particular sort of Dystrophy is seriously underfunded and, because they are apparently quite near to a cure, Joy and Joff felt that any money they could make would be worth giving to them. As such, people will be able to sponsor them via their website, http://www.cycletheamericas.org/ or via the Justgiving website; just as soon as they can organise it…..:)

I have listed a few questions below which will hopefully offer a bit more of an idea of what we’re going to do. However, if you would like more information on any aspect of the trip, please mail us at Joffandjoy@tiscali.co.uk

How far is it? About 20,000 miles. Which is, for the purposes of comparison, very roughly the same distance as flying to Australia and then back to Indonesia. (…..though I am happy to be corrected….)

Why this route? Starting off gently in the States will get us into the swing of things before it get more difficult. We are also interested in the great variety of cultures and colours available without having to take a second flight. Finally, because we both failed our physicals for shelf stacking in the Co-op, we thought it was best we only contend with small mountain ranges (!) before arriving in the Andes.

Have you got good saddles? The saddles are good, but ‘breaking in’ a leather one takes a lot longer than the maker suggests.

What are you looking forward to most?
The downhill ride as we get to the top of the Rocky Mountains
Seeing the giant Redwood trees in the USA.
Looking at the remains of the ancient civilisations of Central America.
The downhill ride as we get to the top of the Andes.
Arriving at Ushuaia.
Our first cup of tea on our return.

Is working for a living that bad? Yes….

If you would like more information then our web site should be up and running by mid March: http://www.cycletheamericas.org/

Photograph courtesy of The Cambridge Evening News