We have to be in Sicily next Monday and it is around 1700 miles away.  In the slow old landcruiser this could take sometime.

Due to our shortened time constraints we are not able to stay goodbye to lots of people or have any kind of leaving event – which is really annoying and disappointing.

More updates in the next few days!

Changing the date would impact upon a number of other things as well;  In order for Ryan to get French and Italian visa’s we had to book ferries from UK to France, but also from Italy to Tunisia.  If we changed the leaving date by even one day we would have to re-book ferries, Ryan would have to get new European visas and potentially a new passport, as its getting pretty full!

So you see now that we have this date we have to go with it, which means its all getting a bit scary…

Still got lots of things to do, like finishing off the landcruiser (giving it a service, sorting out the Solar, the injectors are in the post getting cleaned and i’m currently fitting a new radiator and fan).  After driving 1300 miles up to and around Scotland the landcruiser seems to be running well, and the roof top tents are nice and comfy!

We are nearly there with visa’s just need to sort out which Libyan tour company we are going to go with – this has to be done at the last moment because they can only apply for our visas 10 days before we get there.  If we don’t get Libyan visa’s this could cause a major problem!

The Carnet is with the RAC and we hope to hear from them in the next week.

Now my mind starts going back to the leaving event – sorting out press notices, people to come, prizes for the raffle, what happens if it rains? All the forms for Westminister…

Oh and we need to pack at some point!

We are getting there and we will be ready on the 11th, even it means no sleep – we have to be!

The historical town of Cambridge was recently host to two events highlighting a topic that very much relates to the present day – reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and preventing global warming.

The organisers of the events kindly allowed OverlandintheSun to attend and draw attention to the ability of solar technology to simultaneously help reduce global poverty.

The first event on the 19^th June was the Cleanpower Conference Expo, organised by Cambridge Investment Research (CIR). It showcased some of the upcoming companies pioneering clean energy technology and discussed the logistics of a ‘smart grid’ to distribute this power. Coverage of the day’s proceedings can be found at http://www.cambridgeinvestmentresearch.com/events/cleanpower/summary09.htm.

The second event on the 22^nd June was the CUEN Annual Energy Conference, organised by the Cambridge University Energy Network, and entitled ‘Solar Power: Lighting the way towards a sustainable future’. The presentations by experienced researchers and practitioners in the field considered the technological trends, policy factors and financial aspects to the implementation of solar power. These can be found at http://www.cuen.org.uk/videos_09.php.

OverlandintheSun held a poster stand and gave a quick presentation to promote the trans-African journey it is undertaking in support of the charity, SolarAid. SolarAid runs various projects throughout rural Africa, where there is the potential for simple solar power initiatives to vastly improve the lives of many. The cause was well received, with many attendees showing interest during the networking sessions and giving valuable advice and encouragement.

It is comforting to know that those whose lives can most greatly be influenced by renewable energy are not being ignored by those with the power to make a difference.

Ryan

The award scheme, which is run by the Institute of Fundraising, looked for the best relationship between a charity and a business Since SolarAid was founded, Solarcentury has contributed employee fundraising, a 5% share of its 2006 profits and pro-bono support. The partnership has proved to be extremely innovative with engagement at all levels.

Solarcentury’s senior management has provided strategic planning advice, the marketing team has provided graphic design and branding input and engineers and designers have provided consultancy on solar systems.

SolarAid’ Executive Director said: “We at SolarAid would like to extend our sincere and huge thanks to all at Solarcentury who have worked so hard for SolarAid, helping us reach our goals and vision in the last three years. Here’s to a bright future and a solar world for all. Onwards and upwards!”

Visit the website of the National Fundraising Awards 2009 at http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.nationalawards.org.uk/winners09.php. providing benefit to the charity. And Solarcentury certainly has done this.”

At the top end of the scale – Swedish super car manufacturer Koenigsegg has recently released pictures of its 170mph four seater car.  The company who have recently acquired a controlling stake in SAAB (after GM nearly went under) say the car will do 0-60 in 5.2 seconds.  The Koenigsegg Quant Solar Super car uses NLV thin film as the skin of its bodywork.  This is similar solar technology that we plan to use on the Landcruiser.  Obviously the price tag is going to be on the high side!  Have a further read on Inhabitat

Koenigsegg’s Quant Solar Supercar

A little more in the real world the Solar Powered blue car is planning to hit the streets in 2010.  French battery manufacture Bolloré has announced that it will be in production next year!

Blue Car Bollerie

Even closer to reality is the next generation Toyota Prius

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeOE4Vg7Cq0

The optional  Solar Panel roof has two functions: #1) Draws air from outside and through the cabin just to keep some airflow going through the car and lowering the ambient temperature. A car sitting in the sun can get upwards of 130 F degrees. #2) You set your A/C controls, and if you are within 90 ft of the Prius, you can press a button on the remote. It runs… Read more your A/C system, without using the engine, for 3 minutes. Lowers the interior temperature, so when you get in, its more comfortable, but also, when you start the car, you’ve taken some workload away from the engine, so it doesn’t have to burn as much fuel to run the A/C system. THAT’S how it saves fuel.

All supporters will be promoted on our website, which is already getting 50 000+ hits across the globe a month (before we have even left!)

There are a number of ways you or your institution / company can get involved.

The first and perhaps easiest way to get involved is to blog about our trip and link to our site – raising the profile of this site and increasing its searchability on google etc.  Much appreciation to anyone who does this and feel free to post a link to your blog below.

Further to this we are looking corporate sponsorship for the trip – we are open to all sorts of things and ideas so please contact us.

We plan to do some research on the trip which we will outline shortly.

Some areas that you company / institution maybe involved with;

• Solar or other Cleantech energy
• Sustainability
• Research
• International Relations
• Green Vehicles
• Travel
• Education
• Marketing / PR
• Press
• IT
• Equipment (Camping / Health etc)
• Expert / National figure / Celebrity endorsement
• Green merchandise
• Links with Africa

So what can we offer in return?

• Promotion on our website / blogs
• Product placement on the website / blogs / Twitter / Facebook / Videos
• Research (we will outline this shortly)
• We are in the process of setting up a blog in a national newspaper
• A leaving event in a prominent place in London is being planned with as much media exposure as possible.
• The reach of this trip is international – the only this that is holding you back is imagination!
• Potential for logo’s on the Landcruiser
• We are open to suggestions!

Previous similar trips have been featured in a number of different media outlets – some examples are below;

http://www.africansurfer.com/

BioTruck media coverage

London to Cape Town by bike blog in the Telegraph

Please visit www.overlandinthesun.com for more information

Please donate to SolarAid, we hope to raise £20,000!

Think I have also sorted out all the hydralics for the brakes, don’t seem to be any leeks but must not speak too soon!

Also did a bit of work on the rear bumper / lights / tyre carriers.

Overall nothing finished!

Did make the homepage on the website look a little better, as you can see at www.overlandinthesun.com

Hopefully I will actually finish something tommorrow and post up pictures!

Up in Wales today working on the Landcruiser – it is at its final stages of the rebuild.  Hopefully by the end of the day it will have working brakes, including the handbrake.