Problems

this week has seen the closing of yet more borders across the Middle East. This week has seen Isreal bomb Gaza in return for attacks in the south, the world has called for Assad to go quietly and end his reign in Syria and this morning rebel troops have been all but knocking on Gaddafi's front door. things are very fluid as the Arab Spring has lengthened into the Arab Summer.

The original route would pass through Turkey south through Syria and on to Jordan. But just as my trip was building momentum and the Arab Spring began Syria’s answer to the calls for a new government was further repression and violence.

Plan A
Take a look at the map. The route into Jordan from the north involves passage through Iraq or Syria.


The Foreign Office reports on-


Syria-We advise against all travel to the Syrian Arab Republic. British nationals in Syria should leave now by commercial means whilst these are still available.


And for the record Iraq.-We advise against all travel to Baghdad and surrounding area, and to the provinces of Basra, Maysan, Al Anbar, Salah Ad Din, Diyala, Wasit, Babil, Ninawa and At-Tamim (At-Tamim is often referred to as "Kirkuk Province").

Plan B
Jordan’s other border is with Israel. So Plan B is to take the ferry from southern Turkey to Cyprus and attempt to take a ferry to either Lebanon, Israel or Egypt
Cyprus to Lebanon


There is hearsay to confirm that there is a car ferry from Cyprus to Lebanon. It is the shortest route, however, the border between Lebanon and Israel (Lebanon is bordered by Israel, Syria and the Mediterranean) is presently closed to all but security personnel. -Anyone travelling to Lebanon should keep themselves well informed and closely monitor political and security developments- The Foreign Office


Plan C
Cyprus to Israel


The car ferry between these two countries closed about five years ago and at the moment of writing remains so. (Plan C.1 is to find a home for Austin in Cyprus and take the passenger ferry to Israel which is at the moment still open)


Plan D
Cyprus to Egypt.


No one seems to be able to tell me whether there is a ferry here, but regardless, as of today the border between Egypt and Isreal is closed.- On 28 May 2011 the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza was re-opened to people but not goods-Foreign Office






So as the world goes a little more bonkers everyday I’m left with only one way of making overland/sea to my goal in Jordan. But with Gaddafi about to fall (hopefully) the world may turn its attention on Syria and who knows where that may end up?

Don’t forget there are loads of Galleries over at the Facebook page, just click like.


Have a good week folks
And again soz if there are any typos.


Cheers Matt

Tent trauma

The Tent. So far the tent has been a source not of sanctuary but of torment. Those who follow the Facebook page (and I have no idea why you wouldn’t cos all the brilliant people do) know of my joy at discovering that my expensive Northface Tent is less than water tight.

So I thought  I would do a quick blog on that adventure alone.

the Tent Nappy

As you all know, as soon as we encountered anything heavier than a slight mist the rain began to pour in through the roof and everything that had to stay drive had to be moved back into the car. The first night saw the design and testing of the Tent Nappy.

However, further field test proved that while it was successful in a small area the rain was able to get in around the sides of the Tent Nappy so in a bit of paniced desiging and improvision we have the Tent Toupee, courtesy of the folks at Newquay.

The Tent Toupee

There are design faults, and there are many I’m sure you could point out, but the main one is that while defending from the rain the Tent Toupee is powerless against that partner in crime of thunderstorms-wind. And just like its namesake in a slight breeze it will stand up and then float away.

The Tent-a-grad

Next we have the Tent-a-grad (the Tent Castle) inspired by the castle towering over Lake Bled in Slovenia and supplied up the Dutch. However, it lacks a certain style elelment don’t you think? To be honest it shares more with a drying wood pile than either a castle or a tent.

And that folks is how the situation stands. Northface have not bothered to reply to my email and therefore i have no choice but to never risk buying their stuff again.

Thankfully we've had some blue skies since then, but there's still the journey back....

Don’t forget there are loads of Galleries over at the Facebook page, just click like.
Have a good week folks
Cheers Matt

Clearly deeply mad

Well folks over the last few weeks The Escape Committee has been getting a lot of press. Austin and I have already been in the West Britain, the Cornish Guardian and the Newquay Voice. Yesterday I was invited to visit BBC Radio Cornwall in Truro to have a chat, live on air, with the splendid Martin Bailie. Everyone was really friendly, in particular the shows brilliantly cheerful producer Joy. As we all sat in waiting to go in Joy took the time to put me at ease before I went on air.

Martin Bailie and Matthew Button: Photo Nicole Fenton

Joy claimed that an interview with Martin would be just like having a chat and I would hardly even notice I was live on radio. And that was certainly true although Nic, my girlfriend, said she could tell I just how nervous I by the way I swung my legs under the chair (like a child, D'oh!).

Introducing me to the listeners as being 'possibly clearly, deeply, mad' Martin gently got me to talk about the trip, the car and the history. We talked about the motivation and the challenges of getting all the paperwork and parts in order. We chatted about the problems of getting through Syria and the new water pump. Then within two light seconds we were finished and I could draw a breath.

Just as promised it was like going to the dentist...never as bad as you imagine. I was even brave enough to have a listen on the BBC Iplayer (click the photo below if you want to have a listen). Martin and Joy will be staying in contact and following me on Twitter and i have been asked to go back in when and if i get back to tell the tale of the Escape Committee.

Job done, time to celebrate in the Kathmandu Palace (the home of the best curry in Cornwall I might add) and review. It wasn't as hard as I thought. I was a lot less squeaky than I thought I would be, but strangely a lot more nasal (i sounded like I had a cold).At least I didn't swear. But I didn't mention that the Escape Committee is going to be a book (hopefully) so lets just make it clear here-

 the Escape Committee is going to be a book (hopefully).

I hope everyone who listened enjoyed it.

have a good week folks

And if you're off to the Port Eliot Festival make sure you come and see us at the Profwriting Tent. 

Cheers Matt

matthewbutton.co.uk

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The media onslaught begins

Hi Folks, it's been a great week. The Escape Committee has been in all the local papers.

The Cornish Guardian

Both the Cornish Guardian ran articles on the story. Although neither of them put any contact details or mention this blog, which was a bit of a disappointment. Newquay Voice however made the effort to call me and a lovely Sarah Morcom interviewed me and wrote it up for the next weeks addition. 

Newquay Voice

Have a good week folks

Cheers Matt

matthewbutton.co.uk

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West Britain