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Around the World in Eighty Days +135 : December 21st 1872

From: Harry Hayfield <harryhayfield~at~googlemail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:01:09 -0000
To: "Jules Verne Forum" <jvf~at~gilead.org.il>

BlankNow, I know what you're thinking? "Hold on, I thought he completed this
on November 15th?" Indeed I had. I virtually arrived back in London a mere
45 days after leaving thus proving that the world has shrunk ever further
since Fogg's time, but what sort of a person would I be if I didn't pay
homage to the person who started the whole ball rolling eh? So that's why I
am standing outside the Reform Club (yes, they still won't make me a member
: annoyed pout) but should expect Mr. Fogg to arrive anytime now. I've just
been checking my facts and reckon that Passepartout should be just about
charging into 7 Savile Row about now (which gives me just enough time to
explain what's been happening since I got back)

Well, having proved that it was indeed possible to beat Fogg's time of 80
days (okay 79 days if you're a purist) I've been wondering if anyone fancies
actually doing it, but then the question arises how would it be funded (for
instance jumping on board a frieghter and saying "Antwerp, please!" is
likely to to get you thrown into the brig faster than you can say
Snaefells), so it occured to me that the best way to make this trip would be
to tie it in with some major fundraising effort and the best way to tie it
in with some major fundraising effort is to find a year that is an important
anniversary. Well, it just so happens that 2008 does indeed have some major
anniversaries. (Ah, Passepartout's managed to blurt out about today being
the 21st and not the 22nd of December and Mr. Fogg has just burst out the
door so that gives me 10 minutes left).

The first major anniversary of 2008 is the 30th anniversary (if you care to
use the word) of the discovery of the HIV virus (but I'm not terribly sure
if that's a suitable base for a round the world journey), the second major
anniversary (and perhaps the most likely) is the 60th anniversary of the
first Paralympic Games which were held in England in 1948 at the Stoke
Mandeville Hospital. (8 minutes and counting) A trip around the world could
be used to demonstrate that paralympians come from all countries and walks
of life (and being held in real time from October 2nd onwards would be just
after the Paralympic Games in Beijing and could be an extra fillup). So that
therefore could be an option. After the question of what to link it with
comes the idea of getting major companies to sponsor sections (for instance
Eurostar to sponsor the section from London to Paris for instance, or SNCF
to sponsor the section from Paris to the German border) so that they would
be able to associate themselves with the project as a whole and at the same
time get a lot of media attention. Which means of course that if the
sponsorship happened, the route (which we know) is also planned we just need
someone to follow in Mr. Fogg's footsteps. Richard Branson perhaps (after
all he could have a bearded Bryonic face!)

And whilst we are on the subject of bearded Bryonic faces, I am sure I can
just about hear the clatter of horseshoes on cobbles as, yep, here he comes
with 2 minutes to go. Let's see if I can do this.

"Mr. Fogg, I know you're in a hurry, but I just wanted to say "Thanks""

and there he goes into the Reform Club (ignored by the doorman of course).
I'll stay here for a moment and enjoy the fun.

Here we go everyone, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, "Here I am Gentlemen!"
at which point I leave the steps of the Reform Club with the biggest grin
possible on my face. So that's the idea. I proved that it is possible to go
around the world in as little as 45 days the question is, Is anyone game to
actually do it?

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Received on Fri 21 Dec 2007 - 23:01:24 IST

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