Real desert - really deserted

Mark

07 Jan 2009, Dahkla

Two days ago we entered the Sahara proper. And what fantastic views. The road disappears into the distance miles ahead and you are surrounded by sand and rock as far as the eye can see. The heat plays tricks with the light and the horizon shimmers like water. We have had two days of departing at 7am and arriving at our destination 11 hours later, firstly from Agadir to Layounne on the West coast and from there along the coast to Dahkla, where we are now having a rest day before the early morning push into Mauritania. The long days have been more than compensated for by almost desert(ed) roads and the views, particularly along the Atlantic coast, home to the original Barbary pirates but now the 'skeleton coast' with rusting hulks of wrecked boats along an otherwise empty coastline of wide sandy beaches.

All cars and teams continue to hold up well with only a slight mishap with the 'Rusty Snail' - an old 2CV - when part of their suspension broke but all made good by those brave boys in the Red Trooper.

We leave tomorrow at 5am for Mauritania with our guide Dahid hired today to get the group across the minefields at the border, through the bureaucracy and 500km off road across the desert to Noucachout the capital.

En Route Texts

Text: 08 Jan 2009 - 15.51

 Through Mauritanian border in 5 hours thanks to Dahid our guide – some groups have taken longer!  All bureaucracy and backhanders but it gave us 5 hours to get car going! It failed at border!  Fuel pump issue.  Lots of sweat but now it’s off road fro 500 miles with two nights in the desert- and no doubt lots of digging cars out of sand.  Now where did we put the bucket and spade…?

Reader Contributed Comments

07 Jan 2009 | Geri (gschuch att orange dott net)

Hope you've got your shovels ready for the sandpits ahead. What delicious recipe are you cooking under the bonnet this time? Maybe a casserole? Plenty of road kill to make use of! Anyway, make sure Dahid eats lots of carrots so his sharp eyesight spots those dastardly mines! Safe driving and Happy Adventures! G xxxxx

07 Jan 2009 | alex (alexchapel att btinternet dott co dott uk)

Hi guys! Lovely to get all the reports - so exciting. Much more fun basking in your reflected glory than having to actually drive the route ourselves! I guess we might smell nicer too! Marvellous comment from the guy in Helmand province - makes it all so worthwhile - admiration and much support to you both. Culinary thought for the day - why can't you starve in the desert? Because of the sand-which-is there!!! Boom boom! Love and stuff, and thanks for the great Christcard card/letter Bondie! Alex

07 Jan 2009 | Warren (kwik-fit) (warrenreed att hotmail dott com)

Hi guys, hope the heats not playing to many mind games!! How’s the old bus coping with the journey so far? Were all monitoring your progress, keep up the good work, keep looking at the horizon, It will (for you anyway) end at some point.. Regards Warren and the Kwik-fit team.

08 Jan 2009 | Geri (gschuch att orange dott net)

Well done for getting across the Mauritanian border in only 5 hours! And well done for fixing the fuel pump! Now it's sand, sand and more sand.... Safe driving. Geri xxxxx

08 Jan 2009 | libby & work (libltaylor att hotmail dott com)

We are all back at work and only today we noticed that you were not at your desk so once we remembered where you were we thought we ought to send you our best wishes and good luck. Sounds like you are having an ace time, keep up the good work!

09 Jan 2009 | shirley mclaughlin (dave att mclaughlin161 dott freeserve dott co dott uk)

And where did you put the bucket and spade???

10 Jan 2009 | shirley mclaughlin (dave att mclaughlin161 dott freeserve dott co dott uk)

We miss you Daddy but we are pleased that you and Mark are helping people .Come back soon we want to see you and get back safely Love Sian and Aonghas xxxxxx

11 Jan 2009 | Graham Kyte (graham dott kyte att iee dott org)

Mark, There is a lot less sand in Martinique than where you are! Currently anchored off St Pierre at the foot of Mt Pelee. Hope it doesn't go off this time! Hope your trip is going well - looks like another great adventure - just mind you don't get sand in the beer...