Bridget the Midget

Around the world in ummm…. quite a number of days…

Bridget the Midget header image 3

African Odyssey - 2011

Welcome to Bridget’s site. Bridget is a 1977 MG Midget 1500 that has in the past four years ensured her place in MG history by being the first Midget to be driven around the globe in a single run.

I bought Bridget in 2006 when she was still her original black colour and after a four month tour of Spain and Italy restored her and changed her colour to British Racing Green. In June 2008 we left the UK and drove across Europe into Turkey, through Iran, Pakistan and India where we eventually shipped down to Australia. Once we had driven around the coast of Australia, Bridget embarked on another ship to Argentina from where we drove through Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Central America, the USA and into Canada. We then crossed Canada from West to East and shipped back to the UK. In all it took 17 months and we covered 39,000 miles. The full adventure can be followed in the book “Not In That Car”, written by Roy Locock and published by Troubador in June 2011. This is available from the online shop at www.troubador.co.uk or from the MG Car Club at www.mgcc.co.uk  
 

Next year, 2011, will be the 50th anniversary of the modern Midget and in celebration of the model, and the marque generally, Bridget will lead a group of Midgeteers on an expedition from Abingdon, in the UK, to Cape Town in South Africa. Departure from Abingdon is planned for the 11th September 2011 and arrival is estimated to be around 10th December 2011. This site will follow the whole experience from the planning to the return.

 

The adventure will be totally financed by the participants. The group will, however, also be raising funds from as many commercial and individual sponsors as we can find, in support of CoCo, a children’s charity undertaking education and healthcare initiatives in several African countries. A donation link to their web site, www.coco.org.uk , will be available on this site from January 2011 where there is considerable information about their work. The Midgeteers hope to visit one or two of the projects in sub-Saharan Africa as we wind our way towards Cape Town. 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

19 Comments

19 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Gareth Ardwyn-Jones // Sep 30, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Just found out about your latest adventure…..and I wish you the best of luck, and will be following you on Twitter and your web site…..bon voyage….buen viaje ….etc.etc
    Hi Gareth and thank you. Hope you find it interesting. - Roy

  • 2 Christer Abrahamsson // Sep 30, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    Wow what a exiting journey. Wish you all the best.
    If you route is through Tanzania and Dar es Salaam, please call +255 (0) 777 368 222 .
    Got a 1970 Midget here and would love to
    meet with you all.
    Got some spares in case of….
    Safari Njema and Karibu
    Christer
    Hi Christer, definitely through Tanzania and will try to call when nearer. Good to hear from you - Roy

  • 3 Lisa Spratling // Oct 3, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    What a fantastic adventure and the best of luck. We came back from a 3 month Around the Med in a Morgan adventure in August - have a wonderful time and happy motoring!
    Hi Lisa, wee need more adventerous people like you and then I wouldn’t need to write this! Thanks - Roy

  • 4 Ivor McElfatrick // Oct 8, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    We talked at the MG Event at Bicester in August. You are a great adventurer and I am following your progress.
    Lots of Good Luck. Ivor
    Thank you Ivor. So far so good - Roy

  • 5 Stephen Raider // Oct 9, 2011 at 1:47 am

    Good luck !
    Roy and Chris
    Been reading your blog, jolly good fun!
    It was not the same at the Dul.Run10k event last weekend Oct2nd, without Chris as MC…,but the sun beating down at 83 degrees reminded us of your mission for Coco, hope you raise much more money for your chosen charity…well done so far
    Stephen [Raider] Street ;-0

  • 6 Jean and John // Oct 11, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Hi Roy
    We are off to Rebellion tonight with Cheryl for some free beer. It must be about a year now since we met you there. We will raise our glasses to you.
    Hi Jean and John, I could really do with a few myself. Have fun and love to Cheryl. - Roy

  • 7 Doug Bush [SE Centre] // Oct 11, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Hi Roy & Chris.
    Great to read that you have made it to Egypt, its all downhill from now!. Good luck with the roads ahead from all of us SE members. We will drink your health at Monday’s Bell Natter meeting.
    Octagonal regards
    Doug

  • 8 Gill and Myrick // Oct 19, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    Hi Roy, have a safe trip. We will be thinking of you. All is well here in Chinnor x
    Hello both, good to hear from you. Best wishes and give my love to Mandy - Roy

  • 9 Beth // Oct 31, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    Hello you both, how things are going ? All the best … hoping meet you again on the road to Cape. Cheers.
    Beth & Marcelo
    Hi Beth and Marcelo, thanks for message. In Gedaref and Chris has broken a spring. We’ll get there. Best wishes and safe journey. - Roy

  • 10 Bruce from Knysna // Nov 3, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    Well done Chris - delighted to hear you are back on the road. Thanks for the ongoing reports, photos and video. The latter is reminiscent of SA driving!
    Good luck and best wishes to you both - see you in Namibia with our gang
    Bruce
    Great to hear from you Bruce and looking forward to the meeting. I will send an updated schedule as soon as things become clearer. - Roy

  • 11 endriyas ambachew // Nov 6, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Hi am very surprised to hear about this magical journey, and very surprised to see you at HAILE RESORT.
    please contact me if you can am living in hawassa.
    Endriyas Ambachew
    Hello Endriyas, thanks for the offer, but I am driving to Moyale in the morning. Glad you enjoy the website. - Roy

  • 12 endriyas ambachew // Nov 6, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    Sure i enjoy it, and also your car. Just phone me if u can.

  • 13 endriyas ambachew // Nov 6, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    By the way i’ve got a pic with your car.

  • 14 C. e deressa // Nov 26, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    hay Mr adventurist!
    i have met you today at Kabwe, Tuskers Hotel and we had a chat with you about your journey . it is very impressive! i hope you will be the happiest person after the completion of your dream.

    wish you safe journey and looking forward to the book you will be publishing about africa
    Thank you very much. Like all the people I have met in Zambia so far you are very kind. - Roy

  • 15 Maureen and Peter in Napier // Nov 26, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    We’ve heard of the car problems but hope you’re on the rd to Namibia now. We had joped to meet you en route to Knysna but hear that time will prevent that. However, do consider making a turn to see the southermost tip of Africa - Cape Agulhas which is pretty close to us. How can you come to SA without seeing that - forget Knysna - it’s just like England. Try to take time to enjoy the land without rushing!

    From 1971 Midget owners - Maggie.
    Hi Maureen and Peter, once in SA I shall be taking my time to look around. Maybe we will still bump into one another. - Roy

  • 16 Gareth Evans // Dec 1, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    I just saw Bridget outside the Hilton in Windhoek, she’s still there actually.

    Congrats on getting this far! What an amazing journey!
    Hi Gareth and thanks. I will be in the bar shortly !! - Roy

  • 17 Barry & Mina Thomas // Dec 5, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Hi Roy,
    Saw you in your car this evening (mon 5th) I did an overland in 1972/73 and would love to swap stories with you.
    Call anytime 021 4394219

    Kind Regards
    Barry and Mina Thomas
    Jambo Guest House
    AA Quality Assured Superior Accommodation
    WINNER 2000,2001 & 2002 AA Travel Guides Accommodation Awards
    AA Travel Guides Hall of Fame 2003/4/5/6/7 & 8
    5 Star Guest House
    Hi Barry and Mina, thanks for the kind offer of bed, but I am already being looked after. Will try to call if time allows. - Roy

  • 18 Barry & Mina Thomas // Dec 8, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    Hi Roy,
    Are you still in Cape Town ? Plenty of cold beer in my bar !

    Cheers
    Barry and Mina

  • 19 Gerard // Dec 15, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Hi Roy,
    True and sincere congratulations from Paris for this amazing achievement ! Now the question on everyone”s lips : what is next ? London to Beijing in reverse ??
    Best wishes for the way back ;-))
    Gerard
    Hello Gerard, probably just potter around Europe in 2012 once Bridget is repaired. ‘In reverse’, interesting idea. - Roy

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