Renowned explorers Dean and Jonny Monkton have roundly condemned the minicab company A-Z Cars for a ‘downright inconvenient’ delay in picking them up from their Antarctic encampment.
The brothers had initially called the Luton-based firm, whilst 200 miles shy of the Pole of Inaccessibilty – their planned destination - after bitter seasonal blizzards picked up. ‘I found their card in my backpack whilst searching for any last scraps of food’ recounted Dean, still mildly irked by the experience ‘The man seemed happy to take the job and told me that a cab would be with us in ‘five or ten minutes.’’
But a full twenty minutes passed with no sign of the car. ‘I gave A-Z another ring’ explained Jonny ‘The guy on the other end didn’t even apologise. He just told us that the cab was ‘in the next road’ which I took to mean the nearby Gamburtsev mountain range.’
Another ten minutes and a badly frostbitten Dean decided to call again – rapidly losing patience ‘He told us that the driver was parked up ‘just outside our igloo.’ It was then I knew we were in serious trouble.’
Twenty minutes passed before the silver Fiesta finally pulled up at the Monktons' tent. ‘The driver muttered something about one-way systems in Santiago.’ At the time, we were just glad to be alive. But looking back, it was less than ideal; they were just too keen to take our business. I wish they would come clean and admit it if they’re a bit busy.’
‘When we climbed in, things went from bad to worse’ added Dean ‘the driver insisted on playing Talk Sport for the entire 9,813 mile journey. Not only that, he had the heater on full blast – it was so stuffy!’
