We sincerely hope that the journey has made for good reading for all regular followers of the adventure. For us, the thought that there are a group of people across the world who tune in to find out about our journey is an ongoing encouragement, and especially when from time to time we get a message from someone to say that they actually read that stuff we put up on the website (That really amazes us!)

As we draw closer to our target, it remains just to explain that we have a serious conundrum on our hands. We obviously want to paddle all the way to Australia. However, with the currently dangerous climate in Timor this stop off has been ruled out of our equation. We therefore must take the route which goes via Sumba and Roti Islands (South West of Timor). This will in turn result in a 700km single stretch of kayaking (Roti to Darwin). Further it requires a total kayak of some 1000km if we are to travel from Sumbawa. This, we envisage is likely to require at least 30 days - and more likely quite a lot more - especially if one includes getting the boat to Sumbawa and returning form Darwin. An open ocean crossing like this will require a large support vessel for us. We currently are being quoted around 600 USD per day for the only available boats which are capable of the crossing. Therefore, as you reach for your calculators, it will become clear that, we probably can't quite afford that sort of money. Especially after not having earned a bean for the last 13 months.

Our next alternative, is to consider 'Human Power' to include a short stretch of sail power. Now clearly this is not as we initially conceived our challenge, but in light of our financial situation it would cut the time for the crossing to just 16 days total usage of the boat - a very significant cost saving. Even so we still need to find some 1000 GBP per head to make that crossing. We believe that this sail crossing will still maintain and hold true to the original ideals of the expedition - namely promotion of simple non polluting forms of transport - and for Andrew and I, I think it is fair to say, that we consider the magnitude of the journey already complete is a 'pretty good effort all round'.

In order that 'Human Power' may continue by 'Sail Power', and not take the devastating climb down of becoming 'Plane Power', we are making an official request for financial support. We would like each reader of the website to make a small donation - 10 to 20 pounds - to help us make this leap across the Timor Sea - and to enable us to reach our target by we hope February 2001. On our return we would like to mark each donation with a small souvenir of the journey - which we shall send out on our return.

All our very best wishes, and we look forward to being able to recount the full story to any follower of the website with their own local slideshow,

Richard, Andrew, Tim, Dean, Rich S, Nickers, and Gary.

Team Human Power