Background: Buy a car for £500 or less and drive it from Edinburgh to Rome in 11 days. It's been happening since 2005 I think. It's a sort of Top Gear thing before Top Gear did it! I'm much more handsome than any TG presenter. Oh yes I am.

Has anyone done this or know someone who has?

I'm seriously considering it with a couple of friends.

We all enjoy driving and one is a good proper mechanic. I've driven Paris in a oner and A Coruna, Northern Spain, non stop taking sleeping shifts in the back with another driver but this isn't the same relentless challenge. We've got a decent motor, a big Merc!

We're doing it for fun but there is room for doing it for a worthy cause. Given there's a jambo, a celtc and a current Scottish Cup Winner supporter I'm not sure we'd agree on anything football!