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Private Notes
The story of Ewan and Charley's first trip to Africa
Charley travels to Germany to pay a visit to Touratech, the company providing much of the camping supplies for the trip.
Filmed in 2006, "The Missing Face" documentary recalls Charley and Ewan's visit to UNICEF camps in Malawi and Swaziland.
After finding a suitable base Ewan and Charley spend several months in London prior to departure, planning a route. Eve, Ewan's wife, decides she would like to join part of the trip. Ewan is over the moon but Charley's not so sure as she's never ridden a bike before. Meanwhile, as part of their training, the team attends a hostile environment course where they are faced with the kind of difficulties and dangers they may encounter in Africa. Two months before departure, Ewan has an accident and breaks his leg jeopardizing the future of the trip. As the departure date looms worryingly the team still doesn't have their visas for Libya. Six have been promised, but for David and Jimmy, the two Americans on the crew, it's not looking promising. The team take their vehicles and make their way up to John O'Groats at the most Northerly point of Scotland to start this epic adventure and what will be a journey of a lifetime.
After a miserable ride to London, Ewan and Charley push on to France. Despite arduous weather conditions, they must stay on a strict time course.
Leaving the romantic city of Rome they head down the Amalfi Coast as they make their way to the edge of Italy, ready to catch the ferry over to Sicily. After a days rest and new tires on the bikes they are ready to hit the new terrain. The team embarks on the ferry as they leave Europe behind and sail over to Tunisia. Whilst on board tension and voices rise as there are concerns over the safety of Charley's wheelies. With a long boat ride still ahead there is an atmosphere amongst the team.
In Libya, the boys visit Tobruk War Cemetery; Ewan is touched by the amount of people buried there from all over the world. It is an emotional day for the boys as they realize how much they miss their families back home. Arriving safely in Egypt the team are reunited again when David and Jimmy meet them at the border. Riding through Egypt there is still doubt as to whether they will make it to Aswan in time for the ferry. They are starting to feel the strain of the long days on the bikes, if they don't make it in time they will have to wait for a week before they can continue with the trip. This will delay them hugely and put pressure on their relationships. Ewan and Charley visit the pyramids in Cairo and are extremely lucky to have a private guided tour.
Passing by Khartoum, the boys have been riding for a while and see the aftermath of a car crash and pull over to the roadside. One of the drivers explains he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his truck into another vehicle. Police arrive and are more interested in the bikes than the accident scene. The head of police takes a fancy to Ewan's bike and decides to take it for a test ride much to Ewan's horror.
Now over the border, and in Kenya, the team find themselves stuck in bandit country when Claudio's shock absorber goes yet again. They set up camp for the night - aware of the dangers that surround them. With stomachs rumbling and the thought of eating another packet dinner frightening, the team makes a unanimous decision to sacrifice a goat for their supper. Ewan and Charley visit Turbi Primary School that was subject to a horrific massacre in 2005.
