13,000 miles, 23 nations and Oxford, a 1955 Land Rover Collection I: An Interview with Alex Bescoby, Creator and Filmmaker of The Final Overland

Again to The Final Overland, there’s this saying, “The journey doesn’t begin till one thing goes incorrect.” 

Oh man, don’t remind me. 

Sorry about that. Are you able to level out any challenges that caught out to you, whether or not they be bodily, psychological, or logistical?

Driving virtually a 70 yr previous automotive comes with its personal set of challenges.You’ve obtained no energy steering, no disc brakes, and are working with a leaf spring suspension. It’s bodily demanding to drive. Even on a great street it doesnt keep in a straight line. You may have to pay attention to every thing that’s occurring. You possibly can’t daydream. You possibly can’t take heed to the radio or speak to anybody as a result of it’s too noisy. So that you’re simply within the machine and it’s fairly tiring. Then there’s the modifications in temperatures. It was sub zero temperatures in Tibet, over 100 levels fahrenheit in southeast Asia and every thing in between. If it was raining exterior, it was raining inside. You’re feeling every thing. 4 months, driving up and down mountains, via the jungle and deserts, and coping with altitude illness. Up over 17,000 toes, your physique isn’t completely satisfied in any respect. Bodily, we had been all affected by it. I’m nonetheless getting physio.

Then there was the colossal logistical enterprise of getting 8 individuals with 5 completely different passports via 23 nations. There have been sophisticated nations to enter and not to mention, when you’re in them, the bodily risks you possibly can cross. Once more, each time I obtained harassed, I simply thought, what a privilege it was to do all of this. The true pleasure of an overland journey like that. 

Then there was additionally Tim falling unwell on the very begin of the journey. Legitimately the primary day, and his grandson, Nat George stepped as much as take his place.

That was the best privilege. After we deliberate it, it was going to be Tim’s final nice journey, and it really turned the best reward a grandfather may give a grandson. To reward him this life altering journey. 

I used to be gutted when Tim fell out of the story. The entire thing obtained ripped up on day one. It was the best blessing in disguise. I obtained a entrance row seat whereas watching Nat come to phrases with who his grandfather was and what he achieved. It provides me goosebumps. It’s a particular bond for these fortunate to have it.