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Is it just a daft idea - thoughts? Is it just a daft idea - thoughts?
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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 12 Sep 2006
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Is it just a daft idea - thoughts?
Hi there,

I'm hoping to drive to Oz from UK in my Landy in 2009. I have lots of ideas, some of which are sensible, some not so. Anyhow one of these is to paint the landy (Dino as he is known) purple with black spots, in dedication to the cartoon charecter that he is named after.

Now, obviously this means he is going to stick out like a sore thumb, but part of me thinks he's going to whereever he goes. Our route may well include the following countries :

Turkey
Iran
Pakistan
India
Nepal
China
Laos
Thailand
Cambodia
Maylasia
Singapore
Indonesia

The two main reasons for this idea are a) it will be a bit of fun and b) It will raise our profile and hence our ability to fundraise.

What are peoples thoughts on this idea? Am I just being stoopid, or should I go ahead.

Feel free to let me have both barrels over this one!

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 12 Sep 2006
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Thumbs up Not daft. Inspired.
When you ask about this idea, are you refering to the paint job or the route?

The former is a very good idea. The latter even better.

The possible snag is China, which will cost you a lot of money. It's a pain - makes the route impossible without shipping. Darn it. Have hunt around on these pages and you will find lots of China talk.

Simon
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  #3  
Old 12 Sep 2006
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Thanks Simon
Hi Simon,

Yes I was asking about the paint job.

As for the route I'm praying that the Olympics will open up the chances of driving through China. If not then I am bracing myself for a cost of $150 a day for a guide. Obviously the route can't be nailed down until nearer the time, but I mentioned it in case any of the countries have irrational fears of purple dinosaurs!

Thanks for the vote of confidence .....
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  #4  
Old 12 Sep 2006
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pointless
Why draw attention yourself, or rather, any more than you have to?

I travel a lot and I crave anonymity but 'chacun a son gout'.

jljones
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  #5  
Old 12 Sep 2006
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Yes ....
Hi JL,

This is going to be my maiden long overland trip. Hopefully not the last. What I have noticed just driving round the UK is that in a fully kitted out Landy you get attention whatever. I suppose I am thinking, once you're getting those looks, why not draw the sting out of it with some humour.

Also, I am keen to use this as an oppoutnity to raise some funds for charity. I have a guilt gland that works overtime when I let it.

I really don't know my own mind, and with a for and against reply, with each one my gut feeling has swung. I'm not depserate to do it, but at the same time when I think about it it makes me smile.

Still two years to think about it .......
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  #6  
Old 13 Sep 2006
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Hardly
Any oik who paints his Land Rover purple with black spots deserves a damn good horsewhipping , YE GODS !!
Land Rovers should be painted Bronze Green , just as mother nature and Maurice Wilks intended .

Purple indeed !
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  #7  
Old 13 Sep 2006
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I think that is .....
.........another maybe then ........
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  #8  
Old 13 Sep 2006
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paint job
2 years and all you can think about is the paint job...? In that time you could sell the Landy, work your xxxxcks off to earn enough to buy a TLC, kit it out and then spend less time with a spanner in your hand on your trip...and the money you save on not getting the paint job done could be spent on , fuel, oil, food etc etc.

You've either got too much time on your hands or you need to get out more. Or both. Or...
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  #9  
Old 18 May 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jljones View Post
Why draw attention yourself, or rather, any more than you have to?

I travel a lot and I crave anonymity but 'chacun a son gout'.

jljones
.
.
.
Im'e with Jones'y on this one.
I would rather get from A to B with as few people knowing as possible.
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  #10  
Old 18 May 2008
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camouflage?
Food for thought
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there I go again
not too hard really
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  #11  
Old 18 May 2008
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Ghastly...
...imho

and not much camouflage...
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  #12  
Old 18 May 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jljones View Post
...imho

and not much camouflage...
Exactly, your going to stand out anyway, and I understand the thinking of making yourself obvious, but I would prefer to be a little quieter.
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  #13  
Old 19 May 2008
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Personally not keen on "Barnie" - another purple dinosaur. However, any colour is better than mil spec which may cause mis-understandings although most people will check your plates first before considering your lack of taste. :}

Policemen (and women) look out for foriegn plates - wound up muzungu's are always good fishing areas for corruption - and your average African policeman can be the absolute mother of invention when it comes to finding "infractions of the law".

Since your UK plates won't be needed abroad - how about spraying them carmine red and picking out the letters etc in white - it might get mistaken for a foriegn CD plate and all road blocks etc will just wave you through!
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Last edited by Bundubasher; 19 May 2008 at 16:34.
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  #14  
Old 19 May 2008
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Red face
Ollie - what's up with your site, www.jollyfollies.com ?

PS: As you can see I like the Daktari look!
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Last edited by Bundubasher; 28 Sep 2008 at 14:57.
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  #15  
Old 19 May 2008
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Jolly Follies is on Holiday
Ahh yes - I came back from holiday yesterday to find the site down. Think I may have to reregister the domain name. have emailed my friend who works for the ISP I got it from and he'll not be in until tomorrow, so maybe we will have it back up and running tomorrow.

Strage how you 'buy' a domain name and then have to re-'buy' it again two years later ... but that's capitalism for ya!
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