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  • 2009
  • 2008
    • December
      • Sahara and Niger route to Gao (pronounced Gowoo).
        12/31/08
        It took a while yesterday to find a track out of Tombouctou and this rapidly disappeared. We travelled 70 miles in a mixture of deep sand to hard sand. A few Tureg villages along the banks of the Niger and only two Toyotas passed. One hour after one thundered passed we caught up with them. They were

      • New Years Eve to remember
        12/31/08
        And what a day it was! After reaching Douentza it was time to head into unknown Dogon region. Misdirections or more likely, misunderstanding of the directions given in french by the locals, we made a wrong turn and began our steady ascent off piste up the cascading moutain of gigantic boulders.
      • Updating the Website in Tombouctou.
        12/30/08
        Roberts photo on the Niger after yesterdays crossing.



        Whilst updating the website, the local Police of Tombouctou, are keeping Sam and Robert busy, asking vehicle and personel info.

        Heading towards Gao, next, bush camp tonight.

        Today Tombouctou, afte

      • The other side - December 30th
        12/30/08
        As 2 of the team decide to brave the 1000km round trip to Gao and back, the 4 remaining members head due south back down the corregated road from Timbuktu. This allows them to have a day or two to thoroughly enjoy what many regard as the 'would-be' 8th wonder of the modern world...the Dogo

      • DAY TWENTY THREE
        12/29/08
        More news from the boys.



        Arrived Tombouctoo 18:00 hrs after crossing the River Niger by Ferry. The Temperatures have been in the 30s by day but first thing in the morning around 5°C. The roads are now sand and the surfaces are corrugated by the wind making it hard work. Col

      • Djenne, the largest mud mosque known in the world.
        12/28/08


        After bush camp just west of San, we took a ferry to Djenne, a fantastic site, thought we saw Barry Septimass Pallin, aledgedly Michaels younger brother.

        We did come under heavy fire from locals just trying to lighten our pockets. So soon out and back in the bush, where we f

      • Left Bamako for Sans
        12/27/08

        Left the campsite, where we left a couple of English Girls who seemed to be having difficulties with their series 3 petrol landy, Sam reckons the year was 1976 for the build of the landrover and one of the girls....

        Found these thirsty beasts taking a drink on route yesterday.
      • DAY TWENTY
        12/26/08
        In Bamako Mali's Capital City. The team camped by the river Niger. They ate at the Ba Bla Bla restaurant. After distributing teddies to children in rural villages. Heading for Tombouctou tomorrow.



        This family asked us in for sour milk, after they returned from water col

      • Christmas Day
        12/25/08
        Christmas phone calls consisted of the Johnson family, tree climbing fo the best reception.



        Met some Germans in a overland truck, pulled over beside the road. As we past them we stopped to shake hands and wish them a happy christmas.

        Four hours Later, we pulled of

      • A terrible Christmas eve..
        12/24/08
        We woke early in Dakar, 03.45 and were on our way shortly after four am, after a very good start, Tambacounda, the road deteriated drastically, we arrived at the Mali Border of Kidira. We were all exhausted and this must have been our lowest point of the trip.
        However we crossed minutes before

      • Collected the Mali Visa
        12/23/08
        This is usually a two day process, but extra money and flowers turned this around in two hours.

        Stocked up with water and supplies at local market.

        The Hotel was called the Pullman and had a pier from the pool that extended into the Atlanic Ocean. A large vessel was anchored 50

      • Arrived in Dakar
        12/22/08
        The traffic into Dakar was Chaotic, an overturned bus made it worse, with police and ambulances trying their best to restore some order.

        Eventually found a hotel, with internet, a luxury retreat and a welcome secure area for the team and the vehicles.

      • DAY FIFTEEN
        12/21/08
        After a terrible day yesterday, the Team are having breakfast at the ZEBRABAR where they will be staying the night.

        It is set on the sandy beach of the saltriver Senegal and was kindly recommended by Dr Matthew Hunt.

        Roberts photo here is of ... does antone know. Any comm

      • DAY FOURTEEN
        12/20/08
        We eventually get to the Zebra Bar 10 miles from ST Louis, one side of the gate full of people, traders etc and the otherside quite quiet, except for a few travellers, dogs, and a Donkey. Which has developed a rapor with Sam, and we even found the Donkey in Sams tent after Lunch. At breakfast we lef

      • DAY THIRTEEN
        12/19/08
        Thank you to Charlotte, Nicola, Bev, Caroline, Rona, Kate, Adeline,
        Cara, Naomi, Holly, Fiona, Kat and Duncan @ WaterAid for their Festive good wishes.

        Thanks for your support in 2008!


        Photo credit: WaterAid/Marco Betti


        Dear George

        Wishin

      • DAY TWELVE
        12/18/08
        Travelling South !



      • DAY ELEVEN
        12/17/08
        Camel for supper !

        Camped at a site run by a Belgian couple. Only salt water for washing.

        Most of the vehicles in this area are Land Rovers so the boys feel quite at home in that respect.

        But Laayoune turns out to be a military town so on the way in and out they are

      • DAY TEN
        12/16/08
        Agadir - Laayoune



        We packed up early and hit the road for Layoune. Landscape changed drastically from fertile and mountanous to rather lunar and more desert like. we reached a campsite off the beaten track a few miles short of Layounne with cold salt water, and camel on offer

      • New Team Total
        12/15/08
        Today the TEAM TOTAL passed the £9,000 mark and now stands @ £9,486.85.

      • Day 9
        12/15/08
        It was a stunning drive through the Atlas mountains, so stopping for a photo shoot was the order of the day.

        As the sunset approached we reached the campsite in the town of Agadir.
        After heated disputes with some french campers over where to make camp, we set up our tents and enjoyed

      • Day Eight
        12/14/08
        On route through the Western Sahara:

        Making Camp 10 Km North of the city last night:

        This morning, Martins and Sams ground tents were soaked with the early morning rain, cold showers and limited facilities, we fold up the wet tents and muddy gear to move on to Marrakech.
        <

      • Day 7
        12/13/08

        Stopped at youth hostel in Rabat



      • Day 6
        12/12/08
        What a couple of days....

        Yesterday...
        Just outside Gibraltar we made camp and crossed the border for supper in Gibraltar at the Lord Nelson Pub. We had a long days driving only stopping once trying to reach the airport for Edwards departure. Unfortunatley we missed the closing check

      • Day Five
        12/11/08
        After a cold night 74km south of Alicante the team emerged from the canvas. Martins and Sam in their ground tents, Edward, George, Robert, Mick, Martin and in their roof tents.

        As the crow flies we have measured 300 miles to Gibraltar, and Ed takes his flight back to the UK this evening,

      • Day Four
        12/10/08
        After spending the night with Johnson Family Friends The Teixidor's pictured below



        The Team Continue On The Way Down Through Spain

        Heading towards Gibraltar

        The team reported a nice bright start to the day with temperatures rising as they head

      • Passing Toulouse
        12/09/08




        Passing Toulouse on the way to Girona Spain.

        Please click the map for a larger image.

      • Day Three
        12/09/08
        La Rochelle
        Ready to go early this morning. Heading for Girona.

      • Breakfast
        12/08/08





        This morning the team had breakfast with George's sister Liz and her family at their home.

      • Tower Bridge
        12/07/08
        Shots on Tower Bridge on the way to Portsmouth.



        Please click on a image for a popout enlargement

      • Send off from Great Bentley Village Green
        12/07/08





        On a bright and frosty Sunday morning, with the sun high in an English sky, Tendring WaterAid Team were given a rousing send off, after a blessing from Canon Bernard Metcalfe.












        A convoy of Land

      • Thank you for your generous support to WaterAid
        12/06/08
        The total raised today off line for this years trip is so far £8,429.00

      • Best Wishes
        12/05/08
        Tom Wright of QV Foods phoned the office to give his best wishes for a safe journey to The Tendring WaterAid Team on their trip to South Africa

      • Every Success
        12/05/08
        WaterAid Telephoned to wish the Tendering WaterAid Team "Every Success" on their trip to Cape Town.

      • Team Total...
        12/04/08
        Today we passed the £7,000.00 barrier.

      • The Tractor Boys Help the Team
        12/03/08
        Martin Johnson arranged a meeting with Ipswich Town Football Clubs Media and PR Manager Camilla Haycock who presented George, Martin and Will with a mixture of football kit, to be given to African enthusiasts on the journey to Cape Town.



        In the photo above George, Will and Mar

      • Hemishere and MSC have left their mark on the vehicles
        12/02/08


        Today the decals were put on the three vehicles, and some of the team arrived to thank Peter and Andrew from Hemisphere Freight for their support. We were also given some pens to hand out to children on our travels.

    • November