Hot diggety do dah!! Yes it really is that time again!

As sure as night turns to day, winter turns to spring and a boy becomes a man (Oh fantastic work Nick….its the first sentence and you are already courting controversy….way to to go!) so it comes to pass that we have arrived, again, at that most exciting day of the year. Yes you lucky reader the day which I like to snappily call "the Three Men and Tent new adventure launch day via their website and some social media thingies” is upon us all once more. WHOOP WHOOP! Ok so, for the avoidance of doubt I should make it clear up front that yes, yes I am rather excited….how could you tell?

This year we are attempting to cycle all the way from London (as per usual) to Budapest and just because we can (we hope!) we are going to take a couple of minor (read “c150 miles actually but just dont tell Marc) detours to take in Prague, (aaaah!) Vienna (apologies in advance there will likely be a lot of that!) and Bratislava.

Its just over 1100 miles, seven countries and four capitals and all in new, unchartered territory for us (ok we did a bit of Germany last year and a teeny tiny corner of Austria but this is “proper”). This year it will again be just Marc and I heading off from Trafalgar Square on 25 May although Dan will be with us in spirit every single mile of the way and will again be making is own contribution to our fundraising effort (well he has to now I have said he is here!) …..not sure what form that will take but no doubt it will involve some quite frankly ludicrous rowing marathon or other. On balance we would of course love for Dan to have been able to join us this year but like most things in life there are some pros and cons to his absence…..there will more room in the tent (I nearly wrote “a lot more room” but that could have been misinterpreted as being unnecessarily rude) for example and much less chance (certainly more than a third less!) of inanimate objects being routinely smashed to pieces. On the other hand it also means that Marc and I will be compelled to actually to talk to each other more, so like I say, pros and cons!

As with previous years we are raising money for charity and as usual we gave a lot of careful thought to our selection. I am really pleased and proud to confirm that this year we are turning our pedal power towards raising money for the Samaritans. There was one person in particular who we were thinking about when we chose Samaritans but all three of also recognised that there are many people struggling to cope or perhaps feeling overwhelmed, burnt out or in crisis. Samaritans has been providing support for over 70 years now and they are there 24/7 to listen and provide support. We would LOVE to raise a huge amount of money for them so please….get donating!

As I am writing this first entry I have noticed that I now seem to have an “AI editor” to help me write. If that all seems terribly helpful and perhaps even exciting I should tell you that I tried it and it really did not like (“hate” is a strong word but if AI had emotions it would definitely be nearer “hate” than “like”) anything I had written at all so far and it was particularly scathing towards my “hot diggety doo dahs” and “whoop whoops” (which to my mind are the very best bits!) ………..honestly this is surely how the end of the world starts. Anyway just to reassure myself that I am not a luddite and I can “embrace the future” I asked ChatGPT to write a “topical” limerick based on what I have written so far….enjoy!

Hot diggety do dah!! Yes, that time's here,

For the Three Men and Tent to appear.

With bikes they will stride, But oh, the great divide,

Between Nick and his mate, oh so clear!

From London to Budapest they aim,

Through Prague, Vienna, and with no shame.

But Nicks sly little lie, Adds miles to their try,

And his enthusiasm's just flame!

Now they're raising for Samaritans' aid,

With hearts in the right place, they've bade.

But with AI in the mix, Nick's in a bit of a fix,

As it snubs his "hot diggety" crusade!

I think maybe the world is safe for a bit longer!