Welcome to camp Cskate!

Welcome to camp Cskate!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

18:15 local time and we're in and pitched. Must remember to bring titanium tent pegs next year as the ground was solid! We're bbqing later and will prob be getting to sleep early seeing as we started at about 3:00 but with the Londonskate lot next door that might not be so early!

I think I'll sleep in tomorrow as we don't have anything to do until 11:00 ('compulsory' street skate).

The shift rota looks like I'm on at 16:00, 21:30, 03:00, 09:00 and 14:30! I may be tired on Sunday evening!

We've arrived!

We've arrived!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

And just look at the queue for the campsite! The 'how long until we get in?' sweepstake is null and void seeing as the site doesn't open until 16:00!

Still, journey was fun with the radios in the cars - even if we did learn of a secret wish from someone to wash a car with Marge Simpson (absorbent hair, see?)!

'Looks like we got ourselves Convoy!'

'Looks like we got ourselves Convoy!'
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Touched down in France safe and sound. Only 1 wrong turn since leaving the ferry but there's plenty of time to get lost between Caen and Le Mans! Wing Commander Dogsbody is obeying French speed restrictions and not travelling at the usual Mach 3.

Guess we'll get to the camp and then forage for lunch.

lunch

lunch
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

We've just stopped for a bite enroute to Le Mans. Freeman did a sterling job of ordering ham and cheese sandwhiches for everyone then told us that's all he knows how to order in French! Guess that's what we're eating for the next 3 days!

We're on the Sea Cat!

Just settled into the bolted down seats on the boat. Freeman is banned from using the radios after commentating on going to the loo! Should be in Caen at 11:45 French time.

We made it to Portsmouth!

We made it to Portsmouth!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

It's far too early o'clock and we're all at Portsmouth. Everyone seems really cheery at the mo and we're just sorting out packs for the cars. 2 walkie talkies per car!

Final preparations

Final preparations
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Mrs Solo making the final adjustments to my lid to keep the sun off the back of my neck. She's really supportive of my skating and I love her to bits for it!

Seeing as Drakey is picking me up in 6 hours we're off to bed. I'm not looking forward to being awake at 4:00 at all!

At work and counting the hours...

At work and counting the hours...
Originally uploaded by deusx2.

Finally got my phone to post straight to blog via GPRS! Thanks to Martin for all his help. Will post a link on cskate and hopefully send regular updates over the weekend.

I've actually done some packing!

Seeing as Mrs Solo is currently off with the car and that has all my skates and bags in the back I can't pack the important stuff (!) so I've made a start on Dan Dogsbody's list which can be viewed here.

...and here's the evidence!!

The Start of the danskate.com Skate Blog

It's 2 days until the o-my-God o'clock start for the trip to the Le Mans 24 Hour Roller event and instead of packing I'm working out how to use this blog site! Will start to pack and post again when it all gets too much!

BTW if you don't know what the Le Mans 24 Hour Roller event is look here.