Race Across the World has made Coventry brothers closer
A pair of brothers who are taking part in the latest series of Race Across the World have said the experience has improved their relationship.Brian Mole and his brother Melvyn Mole, who are both in their 60s, are one of five teams who have raced more than 14,000km (8,700 miles) across China, Nepal and India for the chance to win £20,000.The Coventry born brothers said they are using the show as a way to reconnect with each other."Before the race, I couldn't imagine Brian and I talking the way we've spoken over the last seven weeks." Melvyn said on the show.
On Wednesday's episode the teams embarked on the penultimate leg of the race across India, from Sasan Gir in Gujarat south to Panaji in Goa.Despite being at the top of the leader board, the brothers made the decision to visit a vineyard in Nashik, Maharashtra, costing them the top spot.The siblings expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect."Our relationship will only get better now," Melvyn said on the show.Brian Mole jokingly told Radio Coventry and Warwickshire: "We're blokes, we don't usually say I love you to your face, he was lucky to get a hug the other day."Brian previously said it took him a little while to make up his mind about joining the challenge but he was glad he did.Sharing his delight on the show he said: "Once the race is finished we'll speak to each other more. "I'm not a big lovey dovey bloke but I love him really, I wouldn't tell him that to his face," Brian joked.
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Two dead and seven missing after cloudburst triggers landslide in Indian Himalayas
At least two labourers were confirmed killed and seven remained missing after a cloudburst triggered a landslide in northern India early on Sunday. The disaster struck near an under-construction hotel in the Silai area of Uttarkashi along the Yamunotri National Highway, a key route leading to one of Hinduism 's holiest pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. A labour campsite housing 19 workers was swept away by a torrent of rainwater and debris, with 10 rescued thus far. Most of the victims, engaged in road construction, were believed to be from the neighbouring country of Nepal, PTI news agency reported. The two bodies were recovered around 18km downstream, from the banks of the Yamuna, local police officer Vikram Singh said. Uttarkashi magistrate Prashant Arya said a new landslide zone had formed near where the incident took place. 'There is an under-construction hotel near Silai. Adjacent to it, a new landslide zone has developed where no such incident had occurred before – it was considered a safe area,' he said. 'The rubble cascaded down near the hotel and hit the labourers' campsite.' Mr Arya said rescue operations were underway with teams from the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, and the police working in difficult terrain. 'Yamunotri Marg has also been affected,' he noted, referring to the critical highway leading to the Yamunotri temple. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday. The state has experienced unrelenting rain since Saturday, causing rivers to swell and prompting fears of further landslides and flash floods. Connectivity to several areas of the state has been severely disrupted. A 10m stretch of the Yamunotri Highway has been washed away while key roads near Nandprayag and Bhaneropani have been blocked by landslides. In Rudraprayag, the Sonprayag–Munkatiya road, vital for access to the holy Kedarnath shrine, has been temporarily closed after fresh landslides. The Yamuna's water level has risen significantly, placing nearby settlements at risk. Amid the unfolding crisis, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was in constant contact with district officials and had directed rescue and relief efforts. In response to the weather alert and hazardous conditions, Uttarakhand suspended the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours. The pilgrimage, one of the holiest in the Hindu religion, involves visiting the four shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees from across India and abroad each year. Vinay Shankar Pandey, commissioner of the Garhwal division, said that pilgrims were being stopped in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Vikasnagar for their safety. "As a precautionary measure, I have given instructions to police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims,' he said, reported the New Indian Express. Authorities were also urging residents and pilgrims to avoid riverbanks and unstable slopes.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Kent man completes epic cycling marathon from UK to Australia
A man has cycled 20,000km (12,400 miles) from his Kent home to Australia to raise money for the Murray from Greenhithe said the journey was particularly "poignant" because five years ago, he attempted to take his own Murray said he wanted to help the charity, which offers mental health support, and show others recovery was 25-year-old said: "If I had died that day, I wouldn't have been there to care for my mum when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. "I discovered a love for living, cycling across the world and experiencing things I never could have imagined." Mr Murray started his journey in May 2024 and had several unexpected the Alps, he saw a cyclist crash with a motorcyclist and had to contact the air ambulance for assistance. "As I was the only witness, I had to wait for hours for the police to arrive to interview me," he said."I was also out of water and I was saved by another guy from Kent who had pitched a tent up the mountain." Mr Murray said when he was in India he thought he would be stranded because the hotel he booked did not actually exist."I met a man who worked at a Hindu temple and he allowed me to stay the night," he added. While he was in Nepal, he had another strange encounter."I went to a tiger nature reserve and I was riding on the back of a lorry," he said. "A military vehicle drove up to us and told us to hide as there was a 300kg tiger nearby trying to attack motorcyclists." Last month, he arrived in Australia and completed his journey in Brisbane."It was an incredible experience. It taught me how to handle bad situations better," he Murray has raised £33,000 for the Samaritans so far. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line.
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Luxurious Vietnamese resorts with pristine beaches & private pools are best way to experience the Far East
This destination full of Far Eastern promise is worth a visit GOLD STAR Luxurious Vietnamese resorts with pristine beaches & private pools are best way to experience the Far East Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF you're a fan of hit TV show Race Across the World, then you'll be well acquainted with the mayhem of Vietnam. It has featured in a couple of the travel series and watching its magic unfold on screen is the very reason I decided to make it my next trip. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Amazing vista from Banyan Tree room 7 The stunning Lang Co resort 7 Gwen and Gill enjoy boat trip in Hoi An 7 Vietnam is a destination full of Far Eastern promise I am also a huge fan of the Far East and it didn't take much to convince me that Vietnam — as the continent's rising star — was worth a visit. So I convinced one of my closest friends Gwen to join me on this adventure. We started off in the north in Hanoi having flown in from Edinburgh with the brilliant Qatar airways via Doha, enjoying their fabulous service and food enroute, see left for more on this experience. Nothing quite prepares you for the assault on the senses that is Hanoi — and the nerve-jangling challenge of crossing the road. Any road. It's a wonderfully chaotic city which is home to 6.5million people, all of whom seem to own a motorbike or moped. We stayed in the Old Quarter characterised by alleys packed with shops. But first we had to master the money — 35,000 Vietnamese Dong to the pound means changing a few hundred pounds made us instant millionaires. Bingo! We had opted to 'ease into' Vietnamese life by spending three nights in Hanoi to acclimatise and then a night in Halong Bay! But soon we were craving relaxation and the race was on to get to the beach. Next stop was Da Nang on the central coast and the resort of Lang Co around an hour from the Imperial city of Hue and two hours from the historic town of Hoi An so perfect for chilling interspersed with sight-seeing. Our first four nights were spent at the amazing Angsana resort and the next four at the luxurious Banyan Tree resort next door. Best Value Winter Sun Long Haul Destinations The Banyan Group ethos focuses very much on the environment and supporting local communities through employment while also giving back through education and engagement, which all adds to the good-time vibe. Where Angsana was made for families — Banyan Tree was made for blissful seclusion and tranquillity. The beauty of Lang Co is its pure seclusion and both Angsana and Banyan Tree are the only occupants of one of the longest and most pristine beaches I've seen. Angsana was full of families due to a special holiday to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, which was celebrated up and down the country with parades and cities bedecked with the Vietnamese red flag with gold star. Our beachfront pool suite had instant access to the beach — and a private pool. 7 Fab fish dish at Water Court restaurant 7 Gill and Gwen soak up the sun 7 Hoi An becomes magical with the river glowing from the dozens of lantern boats It was huge, with separate sitting and dining areas — not that we used it given the numerous incredible dining options. Moomba — an international restaurant on the beach — offers amazing fish dishes, while the Rice Bar and the Rice Bowl offer tasty Japanese and Asian cuisine. As you'd expect for a family hotel there were numerous options to entertain the kids, games room, table tennis, kayaking and a weekly foam party. During our stay we took a day-trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hue, on the banks of the beautifully named Perfume River, to visit the Imperial City. You really need a full day to cram in as much as you can. We spent a mesmerising morning at the elaborate Imperial Citadel and admired the Vietnamese tourists who hire fancy dress to feel part of the royal occasion. Then we headed to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the city's most recognisable landmarks and finished off with a visit to the tomb of Khai Dinh which was specially built for the 12th Emperor who designed it himself and allegedly made the locals pay for it through hiked taxes. After four nights at Angsana it was time to move to the bordering 5H Banyan Tree resort, which features individual Water Villas, each with their own infinity pool and personal butler. The villas effortlessly melt into the perfectly manicured hillside with breathtaking views over the bay and the beach. There are also lagoon and beach villas. Our room was on the mountainside which meant a bit of a walk up and down quite a steep hill. But who needs to walk when staff whizz about on golf carts to make sure you get to where you need to be without being a sweaty mess. Although the endless food and drink meant getting the step count up was absolutely necessary. GO: VIETNAM GETTING THERE: Flights with Qatar Airways from Edinburgh to Hanoi cost £648pp in economy and £3,356pp in business. See STAYING THERE: A night at the 5H Banyan Tree Lang Co is from £221 for a lagoon pool villa. Book a minimum of four nights and enjoy a 25 per cent discount. See Rooms at the 5H Angsana Lang Co are from £94 per night. Enjoy complimentary breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, and a cultural experience in the 'Travel more. Live more' promotion. See The rooms are huge and bright and the free-standing bath looking out over the sea made it feel like I was drifting on it. Incense aromas are changed daily and the nightly turndown service always comes with a little treat. Now that's what I call over and above. The restaurant options at Banyan Tree, too, are divine. Our first night took us to the Thai restaurant Saffron where we were treated to a conveyor belt of the most delicious dishes. Water Court is a fine dining version of traditional Vietnamese food, while Azura is a nod to Italian food with pizza, pasta and burgers. And by day breakfast at the Water Court was a real highlight. A struggle to walk away from in fact, especially when you can help yourself to Bellinis and Bloody Marys! There were endless healthy eating options, full on cooked breakfasts or even pancakes and chocolate fountains — you are on holiday after all. Like Angsana, where Banyan Tree guests can dine and visit and vice-versa, there are a host of activities to keep you moving. And for relaxation the spa featured self-contained pavilions with a treatment menu so long you could almost nod off reading it. We had to tear ourselves away from all the luxury and take another day trip to the spellbinding ancient city of Hoi An with its lantern-lit streets, riverside setting and quirky shops. It's well known for its tailors and you can have anything you fancy knocked up in a couple of days — or even a matter of hours. By night Hoi An becomes magical with the river glowing from the dozens of lantern boats slowly drifting by the town. It's a two-hour trip to Hoi An from Lang Co which makes it a long day. But boy it's worth it. In fact, boy Vietnam is worth it! It's a destination full of Far Eastern promise. In fact I'd go as far as to give it… a gold star!
