July 1, 2010 
Charlie
4
June 30th, 2010 – The expedition is off to an incredible start and it’s safe to say that we’re having the time of our lives, even if two-thirds of the team is having it in four-day-old underwear. Two of our five carefully packed and meticulously inventoried expedition bags are floating around somewhere in Air World and not with us here at the Cricklade Hotel. My travelling companions are holding me responsible as I booked discount airfare that took us from Des Moines to Chicago to Dublin to London over three flights and two tight connections. Given the fact that the three bags that arrived were for me, I’ve told them both to look to their own karma for a better explanation.
Of course what was most important was that we arrived in London safely, if a bit exhausted. Our fatigue was due primarily to the fact that Andy and I were seated on the plane on either side of Brian. Brian’s brain, we have learned, is directly attached to his mouth, which meant that we spent the seven-hour transatlantic flight listening to mostly laughing, an occasional “huh,” and a surprising amount of very quiet singing.
On landing we spent some time getting to know Gavin at the baggage counter of Aer Lingus, who promised to locate our bags as soon as possible. (Much later that day he would call us to triumphantly report that he had located three of the bags in Dublin, and we even liked him enough to not hold it against him. “Any news on the other two?” We asked patiently.)
Our first assignment after securing a car was to scout out a kayak for Brian. As our Logistics and Communication director, one of Brian’s many responsibilities is to paddle alongside me shouting disparaging comments in order to motivate me to keep swimming. In order to complete this task we had roughly 24 hours to locate a kayak and teach Brian how to use it so that we could begin the swim.
As it turned out, the kayak purchase in London may go down as the greatest achievement of our expedition. After identifying an appropriate retailer and plotting a course across Central London it took no less than three hours to complete the assignment. At one point during the journey Brian commented, “I’m every kind of uncomfortable right now. Tired. Hungry. And I have to go the bathroom.” Fortunately for us, one of the exciting things about London is that while there is a kebab stand every ten feet, they are difficult to access because there is not a single parking space in the entire city.
Eventually we secured the necessary equipment and headed back across the city and on to Cricklade to begin our adventure.
Sincerely,
Charlie
[The previously posted video that was once here 'Help Me Baby' has moved to Brian's Shorts #1]
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July 2, 2010
12:47 am
Phelps
Charlie, you are an inspiration in every sense of the word. Thanks for lifting up so many folks, including these folks. Safe and strong journey wishes to you!
July 2, 2010
6:15 pm
Charlie
Phelps – we’ve got a few tough days here but will be in touch!
July 2, 2010
7:07 pm
Ick
Excited about following you on here Charlie!
July 16, 2010
6:08 pm
Iain
Heard about you’re amazing adventure on national radio here in the UK – Its going to be an incredible journey for you & you’re family — best wishes & i’ll be following you….all the way !