We woke up to frost and pure cold and headed striaght into the service station, they had showers but we decided to wash with baby wipes and head out quickly to ANCONA so we could relax there is it was a short drive, only about 180 miles away.

The drive went really well, people are finally getting used to driving as a convoy and our average speed was a good 60 - 70 mph.

We went straight to the Porto area, however were then picked up by local Palestinians supporters who took us to our night spot, and guess what ....another car park. This was the worst car park ever, and had no facilities at all. To make matters worse tomorrow was to be Jumma so we wanted to have a wash, the Viva Palestina people were more concerned about their 12.30 Press conference.

So firstly B6 and B7 (Bradford rebels) decided to head off, one of the B6 guys fell off the van whilst doing an A Team style maneuvre around the car park, holding on to the back whilst the other guy drove around the car park, ....so he grazed his arm, over acted it a bit and using the excuse of going to the hospital, they left.

Then B4 under pressure from his nagging wife decided to go as well, she didn't fancy another night in a shabby out of town car park. To be honest they seemed to think it was some sort of Camper Van holiday, they had their Mercedes Sprinter van kitted out like a holiday home and wanted to see the sites, eat out and have a good time. Clearly not on the Humanitarian Aid Convoy mindset. So despite best efforts to stay and get the organisers to sort something out, they went off.

Then we B9 decided to head out, we really felt grubby and didn't fancy sitting around in the car park. Fair enough we were expecting a few rough nights, but at the Birmingham meeting we were told not more than 2 or 3, but it was coming to 5 now, plus the local Italian Palestinian supporters were only informed of our arrivel 2-3 days ago, they said they wished they knew earlier so they could prepare for us. Plus the organisers have known months in advance that it will be Jumma tomorrow, so we need to wash.

To be honest this was a major cock-up by the organisers, and crap all round. There is always local support around for the cause, the two-faced attitudes of some fo the organisers were starting to show, one minute they sympathized and were going to have a word, next minute they would toe the party line and say we should rough it out, again. Thats total crap, and especially as its Jumma tomorrow, I want to freshen up and pray in a Mosque, I know there are exceptations when travelling, but we aren't in the sahara dessert.

So we left and decided to find a pizza place. Even though we didn't have enough money for a Hotel, we at least wanted some Pizza, and to find the local Mosque. We found a small pizza place, after paying I noticed some Islamic Artwork, and so asked the guy if he was Muslim and showed him my minibus. It turned out YES he was, he gave me a full refund, money on top, plus directed us to the Mosque and gave me the keys to the restaurant and allowed me to stay the night. Subhanallah.

The local Mosque is just opposite the train station, and slightly towards the left there is a road which is upwards. follow it and on the right is the Mosque.

We also bumped into B6 and B7, they were outside the hotels opposite the train station, surrounded by Polizie (Police) no doubt up to no good, so we just quitely walked passed and headed to the Mosque, which was our main priority. One of the guys from B6 later told us that they were accussed of being foreign refugees so were rounded up for questioning, that must have been a laugh.

GOOD NIGHT was at lovely Italian restaurant, more like a Pizza Bar, but it was lovely and all Halal so we were more than happy. nice mattress and hot showers, Alhumdolillah. Even though the owner just met me for a few minutes, he happily handed over the keys to me and said tha I can have anything, I thanked him and sad the nice warm place was more than enough for me, Jazak Allah Kher.

TOP TIP - Don't rely on others to cater for your needs, being clean and Jumma is obviously not a priority for the organisers, so they are more than happy to rough it out in a dirty car park and go for a dump in the bushes. But in this day and age, especially within Europe there are plenty of alternatives, and plenty of Mosques (or even Churches). So no harm in looking after yourself, to be honest last year when I was left to get on with it, it was much better, without all the excess baggage.

People do need to stick together as a Group, and take orders, but at the same time people need to be treated as people and with respect. Constructive critcism should be accepted and acted upon in a positive way, treating people like sheep and herding them here and there isn't a smart move.