On the 6th of April 2005, cousins Jamie Mackenzie and Ben Wylson set off on their bikes on a journey which will take them to over 50 countries and to every one of the worlds great continents, all without the use of an aeroplane.
Friday, September 22, 2006: Loopy puff
Loop went down a storm. The man who hung the records from the tree- D.J Soup - kicked it off and then along came The Codebreakers -kind fellows that they are- who immersed the Loop-goers with their rock. The lights were dim, smoke wafted towards the ceiling in spirals. On a screen at the back of the bar were images of our expedition blown up to giant proportions, a 4-metre slideshow behind the band. The team's artwork -line drawings which usually cover only part of an A5 page- flitted by as wild hair and instruments crept into the frame. Then the photos came, large as life, visions of the road sending both the throng and ourselves into a trance of longing. The slides looped, we mingled, talking five minutes here and five minutes there, connecting with those who care enough about FWE to come out on a Wednesday night to support us. The Chefs from the television show '15' turned up -with the exception of Jamie Oliver- as did Benji Rodgers-Wilson, another man who is planning an epic world circumnavigation by bike. The trip he has planned is huge, gargantuan. If Benji completes his proposed adventure -or even part of it- he will go down as one of the world cycling legends along with the likes of Edwin Tucker and Alistair Humphries. Benji's adventure will leave your jaw hanging. Take a look at his website: www.earthodyssey.net. In addition to this recommendation I feel we must comment on the fact that Benji -when not sounding flash- simplifies his name to plane old Ben Wilson. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
Loop made us some much-needed cash and raised our profile. Thank you to them for agreeing to lend their venue to us. Thank you, Soup. Also many thanks to 'The Codebreakers', have a listen to them on myspace.
One of the Fat Girls - it's a clothing shop, I'm not being rude- took us into her home. We lived there for a week on the dainty Greaves Street, Fitzroy and today we move again to a house under development south of the Yarra with a bloke called Matty. Every day we are flooded with generosity.
On a sad note, brother Jack (old Clanky) has flown back to England to begin his final year at Bristol University, studying Zoology. Throughout his stay Jack found, when asked what he is studying, that quite a few Australians believe Zoology to be the study of Zoo-keeping. For the record it is not. Old Clanky is one of the best men we know. We respect him enormously and will miss him one hell of a lot. I no longer have to sleep in a double bed with him, so I suppose there is a positive side to his departure. Like a warm puff of air on a spring day in England, Jack's visit has passed, leaving us -as it did when the family flew- more appreciative than ever for all of our loved ones. So long, Brother.
Thursday, September 14, 2006: Top Brass Conversation
COME TO LOOP, MEYERS PLACE, WED 20th SEPT, WITH BAND THE CODEBREAKERS AND TRIPLE R DJ MICHAEL KAY and enjoy an evening with FWE as we show footage, pictures, and sketches from on the road.
'Why is it so damn cold?' grumbled Clanky from under the blankets in the warehouse. 'What happened to all the sunshine?' A cold front has indeed washed in these last few days; toes & fingers have been stung blue with the bite and once again we have retreated to the comforts afforded by hat and scarf in order to keep our peckers up.
The well-oiled FWE roller coaster continues to move with predictable random abandon for all convention and protocol; pitching up & down in ever-decreasing circles, hurtling earthwards into oblivion, then gallantly rearing skywards once more. Good news follows bad news, bad news succeeded by good. With the much-anticipated arrival of the 'Make a Donation' feature on the 'news' page above,we have, in only several weeks, been utterly overwhelmed by the response of friends and strangers alike. How can we ever thank, amongst others, Alex Naesmyth and Bridget Brown for their selfless support and infectious enthusiasm towards our continuation. It is these people, not us, that provide the corner stones from which all things FWE are built. Quite simply, without such kindness we would not be here today.
In fact we have of late seen an abundance of good will fall our way; from free accommodation to half-price fry-ups and complementary internet cafe use, from where I now type this very mail, we have been on the receiving end of a particularly balmy patch of kind-heartedness, not least of all that which has been demonstrated by our most special friend and surrogate publicist, Fran.
At 10 0'clock yesterday Melbourne mourn, we crossed the Yara River in Fran's charcterful car and entered through the sliding doors of the glass-fronted HQ for the Australia Broadcasting Corporation. Fran has her publicist fingers in many tantalizing media pies and after several days of selfless hard graft, secured us a string of rather top-brass appointments on the media circuit; ABC was the first. It was a much-anticipated return to the spotlight after a few weeks' absence and as microphones and swivel chairs were adjusted, there was a nervous excitement in the air.
'Good morning and welcome, you're listening to the Conversation Hour with me, John Faine on 774AM...the time is approaching 11 o'clock and in a short while I'll be joined by two very special young men who are cycling around the world; that's right, cycling around the world...I feel tired just saying it...ha ha ha...join me, John Faine, with Ben Whileson & James Mackenzie after the news...'
John Faine, our bearded host on the 'Conversation Hour', was accompanied by comedian Danny -a funny Canadian fellow with swirly black hair and a keen wit- and Paula Constant -a remarkable lady who is walking the earth having already padded 7,500 km's -www.constanttrek.com-. After correcting our names and for the fatter part of an hour we waffled the FWE waffle and drivled the drivel. There were times when the show-man in John would creep out and dent our words of crusading hardship, but none were so harsh that we could not fight free and come through all the stronger. It was a test we enjoyed and when the big hand on the wall signaled our hour was up and the axe fell on our smoking tongues, we smiled a broad smile and felt most pleased. 'Thanks for coming in, guys,' said John, 'that was cracking'. 'Hey, no sweat...'said Jamie; '...any time.'
Our days now have strident poise and feverish purpose once more. Our chins are raised to the bar as we yank ourselves upwards with all our might and majesty in an attempt to meet the new levels of demand that present themselves on a ceaseless conveyer of pro-activeness. Our minds buzz with the hurly-burly hum-drum of well- oiled cogs finding their familiar groove once more. Marketing, phoning, mailing and media...we embrace it all.
Thanks to Jerome for the tenure of his venue once more and we look forward to seeing all those in attendance that night again at Loop on the 20th September.
We also have a special and most sincere thanks which goes to all the kind folk at 'Hack and Slash', the internet cafe that has awarded us countless airtime that reaches above and beyond all realms of good will. For all your gaming and mailing needs please visit the thoroughly decent chaps at 'Hack and Slash', 19 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick. Cheers guys, without you we'd be up a Gum Tree.
Monday, September 11, 2006: People of Melbourne - accommodation needed
As of Thursday 14th we are homeless. Sadly our stay at Warehouse X has come to an end. To save us from spending our hard earned FWE pennies on accommodation and help us save for South America... is there anyone out there who can offer to put us up for 3 weeks? From the 4th of October we're O.K because, Kelly -a girl we sold a book to- has asked us to move in with her. Even if you can't offer the entire three weeks, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Radio
'Conversation Hour' ABC Radio Melbourne at 11:00 am
Tuesday, September 05, 2006: Gomez keyboard
Make a donation
Guy has set up a 'to help us continue our journey click here:' donation button at the top of this page. If you have enjoyed reading our stories and if you are not poor, please make a donation. If you are poor and you know someone who isn't, ask them to help us. Send a mail to everyone in the office, post one around the university, publish our website in your local paper... Keep the wheels turning.
From H.Q
Computer keyboards are smoking as our fingers dance over the keys in an untrained blur of index finger peach. Firing mails to London, Singapore and Sydney, we are slowly but surely doing what is necessary to continue east. We are doggedly pestering shipping companies, all the while hounding equipment sponsors and pushing ourselves at the press. Our posters are up now along Brunswick street, the bohemian quarter. Punters without the money to buy a book are urged to take a poster and put it up in a place where everyone will see it. We day-dream of billboards the size of buildings that ask for help. For now, though, our advertisements are A3, black and white and stuck onto any available 'flyering' surface with sticky tape. Our push for funding can only be successful through forcing, clawing ourselves into the public eye.
This intense work has the carrot of the Andes dangling before our hungry mouths. City living, computer life and pale, waxy, see-through skin are only bearable with such an incentive. Yet, our time has not been entirely without merriment. We were invited to meet Gomez -a band we'd last seen at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire- to enjoy two sold-out complementary gigs. Backstage The Free Wheels Easters -including Old Clanky- drank bottles of Beck's with the band and went to Cherry bar afterwards. For the second night of live Gomez we put in two requests 'Get Myself Arrested' and 'Rhythm and Blues Alibi' which were dutifully played as musical wishes of good luck from the band; those ego-free, genuine fellows who were simply interested in our ride around the world on bicycles.
Friday, September 01, 2006: Melbourne Events this September
St. Jerome's - Monday 11th September.
We will be there from 7:00pm onwards welcoming suggestions and answering any questions. You will be able to buy our limited edition book and if you wish you can make a donation towards the continuation of FWE.
Address: St Jeromes cafe/bar, 7 Caledonian Lane (Off little Bourke Street), Melbourne, 3000.
Loop - Wednesday 20th September
A gold coin donation will get you through the doors. The money will go towards our continuation. There will be FWE visuals and we have a Triple R D.J penciled in. Again we will be there to take on board your ideas and you will be able to buy our book.
Address: Loop, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne, 3000
Look out for us on the streets and DON'T MISS OUR EVENTS!!
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