My ‘Chally’ mates were obviously so keen to help me get a place on this year’s event that they started abandoning their own plans with worrying enthusiasm. The problem is that they haven’t stopped !!!
Latest in the list of retirees is Rob Hausam from the USA, who many of you will know from the podcasts that Bob and I have made over the years. In Colin’s absence Rob was preparing to take on the mantle of the ultralightweight Challenger — in gear terms that is. Rob’s employer was acquired by another company and the transition means that Rob simply can’t find the three weeks needed to tackle the event, which is a real shame. Anyhow he hasn’t lost his sense of humour. Both he and Roger have obviously clocked my voodoo doll tactics. Rob wrote to Roger:
Anyway, I am definitely very disappointed to have to withdraw, but at least it wasn’t Andy Howell that bumped me off 
!
Perhaps I should re-iterate that my voodoo doll has now been put away although there are still people on the waiting list who would quite like a place !!!)
I hope not too many more people end up being caught in this spell. I do worry that this year’s Challenge will end up being just Sloman, Lord Elpus, HMP3 and me.
Doesn’t really bear thinking about does it!
It has happened in the past, you know.
In 2001 only seven Challengers made it all the way across from the west coast. They included Lord Elpus and myself…
And Mick Coady.
And four Germans, of course… They all made it across. Something to do with the correct papers?
I take it that was the foot and mouth year (rather than the foot in mouth …)
German efficiency. Always a wonderful but quite frightening thing !!!