Twitchhiker: on a tweet and a prayer

It was only a matter of time before the Twittersphere, if there is such a thing, threw up the Twitchhiker.

Paul Smith, the alter-ego of the Twitchhiker, will begin a 30-day charity trek on 1 March.

His aim is to get as far as possible around the world from his home in Newcastle in the allotted time while raising money for charity: water.

Under the rules he has set for himself he can only accept offers of travel and accommodation from people on Twitter.

Smith's first idea was to travel the back roads of Britain on a milk float, an idea which came to him after reading Pete McCarthy's best-selling book McCarthy's Bar. However he shelved that idea and went back to his day job, Smith told Web User.

Smith then wondered whether it would be possible to travel the world using only the suggestions and support of those he met through the micro-blogging service.

However, he shelved that idea too and went back to the day job, until one Saturday afternoon in Tesco.

"I found myself wanting to repeatedly punch people in the back of the head for straddling the bread aisle with their trolleys and discussing the recession with one another, as if they were at the social club in between the bingo and the meat draw," he said.

That was the beginning of January, now the plan is set in motion with less than a month to go.

Writing in his blog, the Twitchhiker spells out how his trip might unfold.

"I may spend two days sat in Newcastle’s Central Station before catching the bus home, but I’m hoping that Twitterers will offer me a car ride up or down the road, a bed or sofa for the night."

When it comes to actually getting out of the UK, Smith hopes that Twitterers will get him on standby flights or lend him ferry tickets they are not using.

"If I can get out of the UK, then anything’s possible," he said.

Smith is a media and technology blogger and writes for The Guardian.

The Twitchhiker has more than 1,500 followers on Twitter.

"The response on Twitter has been brilliant; people around the world have embraced the challenge and want to help. Everyone wants this to be successful and help raise money for charity: water," he added.

www.twitter.com
www.charitywater.org
www.twitchhiker.com