Just because I find this very amusing...

[silversolitaire]

April 14th:

McGregor Ready for Round the World Trip

Hollywood superstar Ewan McGregor has announced plans to travel around the world with his actor pal Charley Boorman on a motorbike. The Big Fish actor plans to cross harsh environments - including Siberia, Kazakhstan and Alaska - on their off-road bikes during the pair's three-month challenge. McGregor says, "The idea came a couple a years ago when we were planning a much shorter route down to Europe somewhere. It just grew and grew and grew. We thought maybe we would go to China and then it grew into this round-the- world trip." But, 33-year-old McGregor denies the testing journey is a premature mid-life crisis. He says, "I don't know that it's an easy thing to explain. If you ask anyone that goes on adventures it's very difficult for them to explain why. Maybe the better question is, 'Why not?'" Boorman, son of Point Blank director John Boorman, adds, "It's certainly not a mid-life crisis, we just love motorbikes and we love riding them so any excuse to get on a bike and do something like this seemed very much appropriate." The epic journey begins in London later this week and will be filmed for a documentary.

[source]

May 10th:

McGregor Detained by Gun-Toting Militiamen

Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor has come up against gun-toting militiamen on his 20,000 mile motorcycle world tour. The Moulin Rouge star, 33, and actor Charley Boorman - son of film director John Boorman - were detained by armed border guards demanding documentation whilst trekking across the Ukraine. It was only when local businessmen Igor Vaytsekhovskiy recognized McGregor that the guards freed them. Russian film-maker Stanislav Komarov - part of a team filming the trip - explains that McGregor and Boorman set off on their own for the Ukrainian border. He says, "Four hours later, our satellite phone rang. It was Ewan and he sounded very alarmed. He pleaded with us to get there as quickly as possible. We raced to the border but they had gone." McGregor and Boorman were at Vaytsekhovskiy's home where they entertained their savior with "some songs" which the actor strummed on the guitar.

[source]

May 19th:

McGregor Escapes Mosquito Death Bite

Hollywood star Ewan McGregor has to be given emergency medical treatment in Turkestan on Monday, after suffering a severe insect bite during his round the world trip. Organizers told the 33-year-old Star Wars star he should postpone his motorbike trek - after an insect bite caused his head to swell up - so medics in Kazakhstan could give him a thorough examination. But McGregor continued with his pal Charley Boorman to his next stop in Turkestan, where he let doctors check him over. It was feared the actor had fallen victim to one of eastern Europe's dangerous blood-sucking parasites, after Boorman insisted the pair sleep in tents instead of checking into hotels - but medics concluded the bite was harmless. The pair are set to complete their three-month tour around Europe, Mongolia, Siberia and North America.

[source]

May 27th

McGregor Stressed Back To Smoking

Moulin Rouge star Ewan McGregor has taken up smoking again - after his bike trek across the world turned dangerous. The Scottish hunk is attempting to cycle 20,000 miles alongside biking partner Charlie Boorman, but has already encountered gun- toting military men and poisonous insects. And although McGregor quit smoking in January, in a bid to be fit enough for the endurance challenge, his nerves are now so shredded he has reverted to the bad habit. McGregor blames delays on the trip - caused by Boorman needing urgent medical treatment after accidentally splashing petrol on his face and then being attacked by poisonous insects - for the relapse. Another stressful incident, where he was also detained by Ukranian armed guards who finally released him after a local businessman recognized him and persuaded the militia-men to free him, also sent him back on the nicotine. But McGregor is trying to remain upbeat, saying, "Kazakhstan and Russia have been the most interesting countries on our route. We have been treated to koumiss, fermented horses' milk and meat."

[source]

Comments

[starla9.livejournal.com]

Ewan! *grins* Glad they are okay. LOL I remember being slightly alarmed when I heard him announce this world trip on a talk show. I can't remember which one, but I was enjoying listening to him talk. then the next guest came on unfortunately, Nicole Richie. She had her back to Ewan as she talked to the host, and it was so hysterical as we watched him making funny faces and try not to burst out laughing at her sheer, uh, ditziness.