Tally ho!

On November 6 I’m finally heading off around the UK on the trip that wil become my next book, Blimey!

I’ve already done a number of things that will be incorporated into the story. But I think a trip gets an energy and life all of its own when it’s done all in one go. So I’ve set aside November, December and January, if needs be, to travel to every corner of the UK.

THE IDEA
OK, a quick recap of the idea. I’m eligible to become a British citizen. But I need to do the citizenship test first. The Home Office produces a book called ‘Life in the UK’ to study but I thought it would be more fun to use Great Britain as the classroom – you know, travel around and learn about life in the UK first hand.

WHERE YOU COME IN
I want you, my readers, to be the architects of my itinerary by telling me where I need to go and what I need to do. And if you’ve got a couch I can crash on while I’m doing it, all the better.

The plan is to do everything you guys suggest. And in the process let these ‘quests’ take me off on tangents I wouldn’t otherwise encountered. Every travel author who writes about Britain seems to go to the same places. You can help my journey be different.

I hate to think of the difficult, dangerous, embarrassing things you are going to ask me to do. But if they give me a better understanding of what makes Great Britain tick, then I’m game.

For those who have already made suggestions either on the Forum or by emailing me directly your suggestions have already been incorporated into my plans. I’ll also be contacting those of you who have already offered a couch directly to see if your offer still stands.

The rest of you send in your/suggestions ASAP. I’ve got a big map of Britain on my office wall and I’m plotting my journey with coloured pins as we speak.

ACT NOW
The journey is nearly upon me, so if you’re offering a couch, or your services as a tour guide or drinking buddy, it’s probably best to tell me the dates that DON’T suit you. And a preferred way of contacting you – email address, mobile number or home number. That way I can warn you of my arrival at least a little bit in advance.

A BIG THANKS
I just want to say a big thank you to everyone getting behind this project. I’ve been overwhelmed by your responses so far and it’s shaping up as one of my most exciting yet. So much for the British being reserved!

Visit here for more info about the trip.

Or email me your suggestions/offers here

POSTSCRIPT
Less than 24 hours after putting the call out the response has been huge! And a fair share of dodgy suggestions – mainly from Australia it has to be said. Including riding around Loch Katrine dressed as Rob Roy.

Also, I wanted to share this screenshot of my Inbox this morning. I got quite excited by the header ‘See Metallica, Oasis and Lionel Ritchie.’ Until I saw it was from See Tickets, not one of you guys.