SimonThomas

Age: 36

Simon was born in Gloucestershire England in 1969 and started his nomadic life early with pre-school in Stroud, primary school in Essex and secondary school split between the Cotswold's region in the UK and Tulare high School in California, USA.

Simon's family still live in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, while Sally, his sister, works and lives in London.

Simon's a career Salesman and after working for several years in the specialist industry of marketing & promoting health clubs, he made the move to more main stream marketing and sales when in the mid 90's he started working for a firm responsible for the sales and promotional aspects of major UK supermarkets.

Unfortunately the bright and lucrative career path which lay ahead came to a dramatic halt when in 1999 Simon was involved in a serious motorcycle accident.

This accident, bar a few tendons, took 'OFF' his right foot and crushed his lower right leg. The result was 12 months of no walking, months of agonizing physiotherapy and 5 major operations over a 2 year period. Learning to walk again was his next big challenge. After being told by the Doctors that he'd always walk with a limp and would likely never run again, Simon proved the Doctors wrong and has, since recovering from his accident, completed a half marathon, rocked-climbed in Yosemite walked the Grand Canyon and played rugby. He's never taken 'No' very well...!

Not someone to take anything lying down, not even when recovering from his accident, Simon started his own telecomms business initially selling mobile phones to friends from his bed. Years later, and with the support of long term friend Jacqueline Powell, the business had grown and eventually went Ltd.

In 1999 Simon's mother was diagnosed with Cancer and for that reason and the support supplied to Simon's family by the British charity 'CancerBACUP' Simon is today trying to raise funds and importantly awareness for their crucial work.

In 1991 via work Simon met Lisa and after a 3 year relationship, proposed marriage in 1994. The 19th August 2005 they celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

Simon is currently helping to fund the trip by turning his hand to photography and journalism and has had articles published in a number of publications ranging from 'Motorcyle Sport & Leisure Magazine' in the UK to 'Men's Health' & 'Weg magazine' in South Africa.

Hobbies etc, well,...motorbikes and travel. Above all else Simon describes himself as a 'biker'. If he's not riding he's toying with computer graphics or dreaming up someother mad-cap plan to try out!

Lisa Thomas

Age: 44

The youngest of three sisters, Lisa has also experienced the nomadic lifestyle from an early age. After being born in Darlington the UK in 1962 ( a vintage year!) the family moved back to their home town of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, for a few short months proir to leaving the UK for the German town of Gilenkirchen. On returning to the UK Lisa spent the rest of her childhood in Cheshire and her teenage years in Buckinghamshire.

Lisa's sisters are in Windsor and London whilst her parents are now living in Devon.

After finishing her 'O' levels, in 1978, and also having earnt a diploma with the violin in classical music Lisa left school, prior to attending collage, and began her first of many motorcycle trips across Europe, this first time as a pillion on a Honda CBX 500.

In 1980 Lisa began her working life with the Inland Revenue. However, from an early age, music had always been a major part of Lisa's life and she kept her music career alongside her office life. By doing this she wassoon able to afford her first motorcycle, a Honda C90!.

Alongside the music came the introduction to the'Jane Fonda' '80's fitness revolution and Lisa decided that she would also become a qualified fitness instructor.

After working for many years for the inland revenue whilst also teaching excercise classes and playing for dances most weekends, Lisa made a major career change by making a permanent and full-time move to the Health and Fitness industry.

After many years of owning and running a sucessful Health and Fitness centre Lisa's first marriage came to an end and she began a career in the specialist industry of marketing & promoting health clubs. It was during this time that Lisa and Simon first met.

After many years in the Health and Fitness industry Lisa then made the decision to return to full-time education. She commenced a 4-year degree course at the age of 35 and sucessfully obtained a first class BSc honours degree in Computing and Information Systems.

In 1998 Lisa's father underwent a quadruple heart bypass. Lisa also suffers from cardio 'complications' and for these reasons, is today trying to raise funds and awareness for the British Heart Foundation.

During her time within the water industry as a technical I.T computer analyst Lisa also became involved with the charity WaterAid. With so much of WaterAid's work benefiting regions and countries they would be travelling thorugh extensively, raising money and awareness for this worthwhile and life-saving charity seemed like the natural thing to do.

Hobbies....well luckily for Simon they are also motorbikes and travel! For over a period of 26 years Lisa has in some way been involved with motorcycles and if she's not riding or modifiying her bike, she's got her head buried in her dozens of maps and books deciding on the next place to explore.