The Long Way Down

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Ewan and Charley spoke to Chris Moyles on his show this morning for another catch up. You can listen to the interview above, or if you'd like to hear the whole show again, or download the interview as a podcast head to the Chris Moyles site. Read below for the highlights...

Speaking to Ewan first of all, Chris wanted to know where the guys are and what’s been going on.

'We're in Ethiopia', explains Ewan, 'which has been extraordinary. We struggled through the deserts of Sudan, but we got through into Ethiopia, and within minutes the whole landscape changed. We climbed up into the mountains, it became very green, and Ethiopia has been absolutely amazing. It's quite... it's like Africa on overload'.

'I think you're faced with many different sides of Africa in Ethiopia. You're faced with kids who some of them look very unfed, some of them look very unwell, there's no access to clean water, there's no access to medication or clinics on the whole, in the first part of Ethiopia, anyway. And at the same time the kids are very happy and very, very funny. So, it's just been like a whirlwind really'.

And how many miles are left to go?

‘We're almost half way’, explains Ewan, 'we've done about 8500 to 9000 miles, and we don't know exactly what the mileage will be, but when we get to Kenya, I think that will be our half way point'.

With this, Chris marvels at just how big Africa is.

'Yeah, it is!' Ewan confirms. 'And one of the things that we wanted to do was to show the true and real side of Africa, all its many faces. We think of famine and we think of wildlife, and Africa's got everything in between. We've just found that every country has it's own identity and is very, very different from the last. But Ethiopia is incredible. I think it's kind of what I was looking for, if you like. Plus Ethiopia has some of the best motorcycle riding in the world, I think.'

Handing over to Charley, Chris wants to know how he’s feeling today?

'I'm pretty good actually', says Charley, 'apart from the kids chucking rocks at you all the time! You're riding along on your motorbike,’ he explains, ‘and you suddenly get this rock on your head, and these kids are sitting by the side of the road laughing at you. So that's always a pleasant one! And you get these little kids with big snotty noses coming up to you, it's just hilarious. But it kind of makes you miss your own little kids, so I'm feeling a bit homesick today actually, for my two little girls and my wife obviously, as it’s been quite a few months now, so I'm be looking forward to seeing her'.

And so Kenya is next?

'Yes', he explains, 'it's going to be interesting getting into Kenya because it's quite different, we're slowly going down towards central Africa now. What's amazing when you're riding on the bikes is that you can see people's faces change as you go along and the different cultures, and the different religions.'

And is he craving any food from home?

'Well the food here is all very odd' he explains. 'They get these really big pancakes and if you turn them over they look like a sponge on the other side, and they pour all different kinds of meats and food onto it, and you sort of eat with your fingers. It's kind of delicious, but it does sometimes make you want some food from home. I tell you what I'd really love, is a Sunday roast! A leg of lamb with roast potatoes, just chuck in a yorkshire pudding... that’s what I'm longing for'.

Finally, Chris has had some burning questions sent in from his listeners. He has to ask, what happens when they need the toilet?

'Well what you do is get your trousers down around your knees, and then sort of squat down,' he explains, 'then the most important thing is to have baby wipes with you. Because you've got to have a clean bum when you sit on the bikes for a long time! But don't tell anyone!'

...a bit late for that Charley!

During their stay in Addis Ababa, they guys had some time out to relax and recuperate. Ewan tell us all about it in the video clip above.

'We're in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Look at this amazing dinner we're having, with great traditional music and traditional dancing, and tomorrow we head off on our two-day trek to the Kenyan border.'

Seemed like the guys were missing some home comforts. We asked, what do you crave when you're far from home? See your replies below.

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