It would be an understatement to say this was the journey of a lifetime. It was perfect. Yasmine traveled The United Kingdom: from the polluted air of the big city (and cities all our students came from), to the fresh, pure filtered air of the countryside. From the hustle and bustle, sirens and horns to the serene and tranquil sound of a waterfall. From the modern buildings and man made money making center to the natural and humbled mountains and hill tops. From a taxi ride to a hike in the foothills of the highlands. From the crude, strong and busy Londoners to the gentle and calm of everywhere else.

From the London animals; the graceful police horses, the pretentious dogs, the arrogant cats, the annoying pigeons, the crazy squirrels and the filthy rats…

To the animals of Scotland; the mischievous mutant Haggis (“I’ve never seen a Haggis but I imagine it looks like a cross between a beaver and a seal with longer legs.. Or just a liver with eyes.” - Aya), the hairy cow (“Holy shart..is that a hairy cow? That’s crazy” – Jenna), the mysterious Lockness Monster ((Very Seriously) “Look, I’m only gona be here once and there is something I really want to go see while I’m here. (Long pause).. The Lockness Monster.”) the graceful deer and of course the bloody irritating midges!

To the animals of Wales; the BORING sheep, the ugly cows, the beautiful swans and all those other ones inbetween.

Yasmine has seen many sights around Great Britain that filled her with awe and wonderment, she has smelt many smells that she will never forget, shes driven on roads she may not tread again, but what made her journey complete was the people she met along the way… Her students who loved her. The girls would fight for shotgun and boys beg to drive her. The teachers would look in wander, and question her safety but would secretly want a ride. Her leaders would fill her up with boxes, make her heavy but she didn’t mind. Her helpers she met in different places along the way would look at her with puzzled eyes “Look at that rusty truck” a 5-year old boy of Eton would shout. And finally her pilots, they looked after and kept her company the entire journey.

It’s been emotional for all. It was sad to say goodbye to all those she met in every corner of the UK and those special students who traveled from far to meet her. She is sad to see the end of the road for now, but knows it won’t be long before she steps out again and explores the world.

Until next time.. From Yasmine and Pilots with Love.

Over and out..

So it’s nearing the end and what an emotional journey it’s been. Yasmine has spent the better part of three days resting in Hay-on-Wye, legendary town of books. She enjoyed the view and sounds of the country; a field of sheep to her every direction (though that provided her with little entertainment I’m sure as they are SO DAMN BORING!); the native Indian TeePee that stood by her (the latest addition to her compadres that she charmed with her whit); and all the bloody books that nobody reads!

For our last night in Wye we had a barbecue fancy-dress party in the garden. Yasmine enjoyed the company of the Russian Doll, Batman, Punk rocker, Bahraini ganster, caveman, and all the other characters that competed for first prize for best dressed. It was a memorable night for all.

So we were ready to set off today for a short stop in Eton before our final destination in London. Yasmine was loaded again to the brim which I think is finally taking its toll on her fragile (un-sleder) frame. The coach with all the students had the keys to Yasmine which set us back an hour. We were up against the clock to make it to Eton before the others (which we did because we’re brilliant maaan).

Now she’s back in Queen Mary’s, glad to be home, but looks back in wander as she remembers the good times we all shared. The wilderness, the big cities, the little countrysides, the fields of weird animals and the endless miles of tarmack…

Come laugh with us on Day 15 as we share our precious moments in Yas.. there have been many!

Two days of rest out in the wilderness.. Yasmine was waiting for us. Everyone was excited to see her and continue the journey through the highlands…

We drove through valleys and hillsides out to the middle of nowhere where we parked her up and went to cut down trees (to save trees.. natures as complicated as people). She would have most certainly enjoyed the destruction was she given the chance. For the first time on the expedition the sun machine really came out (and the girls greased her up which left her with a glowing tan).

And so she continues her epic journey, leaving the highlands, lochs, waterfalls and monsters of Scotland behind her as she heads to the land of the valley of books… See you on the other side!

Reports from Yasmine Pilot and Co-Pilots:

We left Edinburgh really early yesterday to race the students through Scotland to Inverness.. I think it was a tie but for arguments sake lets just say we won! However it has to be said that the one way system is rubbish.

We went to a farm where we met both a boyfriend and a soul mate for our dear Yasmine. A young, slim blue bodied Toyota and a fierce, spirited tractor, that nobody, not even Yas could mess with.

We then drove her through the Scottish Highlands, mountains and valleys. I’m pretty sure neither her nor us had seen such natural beauty before, (but who cares we were asleep). Unfortunately, when we reached the end of the road, we had to park Yas and leave her behind while we went on for that 5Km hike to our cabin. Despite Yas’s lack of faith in us ‘fattys’ we all made it.. but we missed her strength and good humour along the way (plus the music).

Due to human error, upon arriving at the most remote hostel in the UK (official, I’m not making that up), we realized that all our precious technology stuff had been left under the watchful guard of Yasmine. After a light jog back to Yas (I remember why I hate cross country now) I found her looking right at home in the rugged wilderness. Now back at the hostel we are safe and comforted with the knowledge that Yas is waiting for us……

Yasmine (the car’s) blog:

Although I only met Robert a few days ago I didn’t expect him to take me so far so soon. I’m already in Edinburgh (it only took him 11 hours, he says he doesn’t believe in taking things slow!) To make the journey even more special he was accompanied by two extra co pilots… Aya and Jenna – who by the way are really cool maaaaan!

All the art and film supplies they filled me with were really heavy but I didn’t mind – besides, Rob’s head was the heaviest thing I’ve had to carry (it’s pretty big, not gona lie). I’m so noisy when I move fast, they say they can’t sleep good, oh well, they’ll survive.

When we arrived at 11.30 my pilot decided it would be clever to reverse me into a car damaging the license plate.. silly boy. He said it was because he couldn’t see too great past my big bum but I think its just because he wanted to give his number to the pretty car.

I was glad to see all my students arrive safely in Edinburgh after their short flight. It made me slightly jealous that it only took them 3 hours in total!

I’m off tomorrow to Inverness, then onward and upwards to the highlands. They say I can only drive a bit of the way because a flood destroyed the road so they have to walk for 4.93601Km, HAH! I wander how that’s gona go? Good luck fattys..

Today Yasmin and I met for the first time. She’s big, bad but not ugly. She does look a little angry to have been woken up so early though. I have to admin I’m a little scared of her.

I’m very excited to be going with her on this adventure over the next two weeks and getting to know her along the way. Yasmin tells me that her local neighbourhood is Hackney, so she aint afraid of nothing!

As she relaxes in the morning sun, she becomes quite happy, almost acting like a show off. Yasmin had a new paint job yesterday and likes the new look. Over the next two weeks we’ll get to see what the rest of the UK think of her too.


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