12 Jan 2009, Nouakchott Mauritania
{A personal entry}
As I sit here relaxing in a quiet Auberge in Nouakchott, the capital of
Mauritania, I ponder the last few magical days amidst the desert and wonder
what I should tell, and what I should share.
I could tell tall tales of madness! Of climbing out of a moving Trooper to surf
atop its bright red roof, of leaping headlong from it into the sand and gliding
almost effortlessly along the dunes.
I might extol the virtues of our bullet proof car, who despite fuel pump
failure, an exploded exhaust silencer, and the uncanny ability to only
pull-away in 1st gear at 5000 rpm (!!) made the 3 day trip 500km across the
desert. Or perhaps you would like to read about the shared laughter and
fire-side camaraderie beneath the stars, of sunsets and sunrises and
breathtaking evening skies?
But all of that aside I just want to tell you that as I sit here, I now know
two very good reasons why I came and they both relate to loss.
The night before we left for Mauritania I was reminded so very clearly why it
is we are raising money for this sound, sound cause. So if you have not done so
already, please read the blog comment from a very close friend of mine now
serving in Afghanistan (it can be found by clicking on the comments link
embedded within the blog dated 3 Jan 09 below). I commend it to you. There is
no stronger reminder that, in the face of loss, the money we raise will still
make a difference where it can and I sense the courage and the pain it took to
write those words.
I also now know that I came here to mourn my father who died three and a half
years ago. He and I would have loved to have shared this trip together and as
our wheels touched sand and the horizon opened up before me I was touched so
very rawly by both his absence and his presence. At both moments tears graced
my cheeks and as I sit here I think that somehow the Desert has touched my
soul....
En Route Texts
Just inside Senegal and will try and get to Mali border tomorrow (Timbuktu in Mali). Just had bloke sing to us in bar – they are sooo friendly…Then to Bamako (check map). Last bit of road to Timbuktu v rough it seems. Keep bumping into travellers and checking the route. Spending lot of time under car….
Text: 14 Jan 2009 - 14.53
Just completed pit stop. Exhaust fell off car, fortunately right by garage who kindly let us use their pit to put it back on. So took opportunity to sort brakes in nearby village. Also found suspicious leak in fuel pipe (suspect tampering). All locals so friendly and helpful. Puts us to shame.
Text: 14 Jan 2009 - 15.07
Heading East again towards Mali only 10 Euros lighter for our pit stop. Savannah all around. Dodging goats and occasional horse drawn carts. Nursing our little baby on…..
Text: 14 Jan 2009 - 18.04
Stopped for coffee by roadside in local shack. Unfortunately car refused to start – more fuel pump issues! Now driving along with rat’s nest of wiring hanging over our heads but it’s sorted – with full support of local children (who also learned Crystal Palace supporters song in the process). We luurve this country.
Reader Contributed Comments
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12
Jan 2009 | shirley mclaughlin (dave att mclaughlin161 dott freeserve
dott co dott uk) |
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dad's
favourite poem "I am not dead " now has real meaning for you . So
very proud of what you've achieved and so grateful that their are people like
you and Mark that still want to make a difference in this turbulent world we
live in. Mum |
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12
Jan 2009 | John Walton (johnmail att supanet dott com) |
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Hi
Shaun, Proud to know you mate. Please expand on the blog you referred to on
12th Jan regarding a friend serving in Afghanistan. I'd like to read it but
don't know where to look. See you anon... John W |
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12
Jan 2009 | Geri (gschuch att orange dott net) |
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Shaun,
A heartfelt blog that said it all. Well done to you both for raising money
for such a worthwhile cause. And well done for surfing the Trooper!! Hope you
have the photos! And wishing you luck in getting the trooper roadworthy again
for the rest of the journey. Safe driving. G xxxxx |
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13
Jan 2009 | shirley mclaughlin (dave att mclaughlin161 dott freeserve
dott co dott uk) |
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Sian
and Aonghas has a lovely time at school today telling their class all about
their Daddy and Mark helping people. their headmistress told me they were
very proud of their daddy and what he was doing |
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14
Jan 2009 | Alex (alexchapel att btinternet dott co dott uk) |
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Wonderful
heartfelt entry Shaun. Thank you for letting us see how much this adventure
means to you. Marvellous too that you can have such fun, and still have much
deeper meanings and reasons to be there. The desert sounds wonderful. I
suppose I have only ever thought about deserts as big sandy places, and not
realised how very beautiful they are, so thank you too for that revelation.
Keep on enjoying it, and the heat and sun. The UK is grey and cold and lots
of us have flu! You're in the best place! Love to Bondie. |
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14
Jan 2009 | Jane (janefelicity1973 att hotmail dott co dott uk) |
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Hi
Shaun, both Sian and Aonghas are behind you all the way as are myself and
Simon. Your father was justifiably proud of you and your achievements and his
presence is with you in the night’s sky watching over you, even when you're
burning your feet on hot ashes! some where in England a village is missing
etc etc, Come back home safe, the kids miss you terribly!
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