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  • 2009
    • March
      • Finally the vehicle joins us in the UK.
        03/27/09
        From Colchester to Cape Town (L`Agulhas), we had travelled 15,300 road miles, although returning to Windhoek for Martyns visa added 984 miles to the trip. Compare this to the East way down to L`Agulhas, south of Cape town the mileage travelled would have been surprisingly similar.
        The West way

    • February
      • Places to eat.
        02/28/09
        We tried many a good restaurant while in Cape Town, and for an Englishman you do appear spoilt for choice. My top five include the following.
        The Tank
        Cape Quarter, De Waterkant Street, Cape Town 8001, South Africa‎ - 021 419 0007‎. This is great if you enjoy Sashimi or Sushi, but in t

      • Yellow Tail Fish Festival in Struisbaai and L'Agulhas
        02/27/09


        Struisbaai has a population of 1200 and L'Agulhas a population of 600, this weekend they expect 30 to 50,000 visitors at the Yellow fish Festival. we took a look earlier this week, at the most southern point of Africa in L'Agulhas where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet

      • A little help from Schalk Burger
        02/23/09

        Schalk Burger runs a mainly Land Rover garage, specialising in service, maintenance and repair work on Land Rovers and other 4 X 4 vehicles. We called in for a gear box top up, just under a litre of ep 90, plus the labour, he charged us an astonishing 22 rand. With 14.6 rand to the pound at

      • Sunday Morning
        02/22/09
        At the Waterfront

        Here at last...

      • Western Cape
        02/21/09

        We left after breakfast, heading out with some locals down a deep sand track south. The coast line very beautiful, the sand quite hard work for the landy. The tyre pressure reduced to one bar gave us a better foot print for travelling.

        The tracks along the south coast are very

      • Border Day, one week later.
        02/20/09
        We arrive at the border Noordoewer at 10.30am, a great atmosphere compared with last week, as the Namib immigration team recognise us, stamp our passports and send us on our way.
        Once across the border most tend to head straight for Cape Town missing out the West Coasts of South Africa, we were

      • On the way down again.....
        02/19/09

        We left Arebbusch campsite, Windhoek after breakfast and coffee with Jean and Hannelese and made our way to Maltahohe, and at the Maltahohe Hotel we were directed east out of the town and after crossing the bridge turn left, heading 40 km North, to a Pan that was described in the papers as

      • Finally a South African Visa granted for Martins
        02/18/09
        Last night again torrential rain poured down creating flash flooding, but it is the rainy season.
        We left the Cardboard box and joined Jean, Hanellie and family at a site just outside town.



        This morning...
        After a little confusion over the repatriation fee Martins

      • Return to South African Embassy to resubmit Martins Visa application.
        02/17/09
        Returned to South African Embassy to resubmit Martins Visa application. We were then told to return tomorrow morning to pick up the passport and visa.



        Last night Hannelese and Jean, William and Jean Pierre arrived and joined us for supper. Their journey from Congo DRC throug

      • The deserts are obtaining a little colour...
        02/16/09

        Every day for the last week during the morning the clouds collect and in the evening we have the rains.
        The colour is starting to show in the surrounding Namibian Desert and the Pans filling. By mid week all the Lilies and Orchids are expected to bring additional colour to the country. T

      • Something going on in Windhoek
        02/15/09
        There are many reasons for running the website including reporting any Water Aid updates and the 2nd trip from Colchester to Cape Town.
        One of the points of the website is to share with other travellers our experiences of the various places we’ve been to, and hopefully this can be helpful.
      • Back to the Cardboard Box
        02/14/09
        Quite a long drive north to Windhoek, but we took the main B1 route, and this for the first day in a long time was all tar.
        30 km before Windhoek we pulled of the road to talk to these people. They were a farming family that had taken their Donkey and Karts to the tar road, and then walked into

      • Friday the 13th do your worst...
        02/13/09

        A simple trip to the Border, but not So Simply… not on Friday 13th.
        After a good breakfast we head off south to the border post of Noordoewer approximately 130 km short of Springbok in South Africa. The border is naturally marked by the Orange River.
        We approached the Namibian i

      • DAY SIXTY EIGHT
        02/12/09
        New Team Total
        £11,015.79

      • Seehiem and off.
        02/12/09
        Charlie found himself a few spiders in his room, and one called the Hair Cutter. Fairly harmless can cut you, the locals say more likely to cut your hair in your sleep which it subsequently uses in its nest. Needless to say ended up under Charlie’s shoe.



        I dont know what i

      • Destination Seehiem
        02/11/09
        Charlie enjoyed a night in the roof top tent but at 4.30am was rudley awakened by Martins who had been attacked in his ground tent by ants and other biting insects. Having woken early we decide to head off to the dunes 60 km away.



        After a walk up the dunes at 6am this mornin

      • Heading South
        02/10/09
        This is the campsite at Sossusviei, Namib Desert, we pulled in here in time to shoot the sunset.



      • Message to Brian and Jan
        02/09/09
        Can you call or text George on this number +447880706787



        A slow start in Swakop, after some Pool with the locals, off for a Sundowner quad in the Namibian desert.





      • Skeleton Coast
        02/08/09
        The birds not helping the local eletricity board.



        This morning after returning from breakfast we find 510 Namibian rand missing from luggage, the management will let us know in due course weather this turns up at a later date.
        After a good grease up the prop shaft whic

      • Heavy rains
        02/07/09
        We leave Etosha at lunch having not seen too much due to the heavy rains. The dry season is the best time to view game as they tend to congregate round the water holes, but with water in abundance in the 22,912 square km the animals are to be difficult to locate. How ever we had enjoyed the park an

      • Etosha, very wet
        02/06/09
        Charlie Martins and George left a wet campsite at Nematouni and headed to Halali Camp.


        In the evening we caught up with an English Couple, Janice and Ian and they very kindly asked us for supper.


      • Off to Etosha
        02/05/09
        The last time we had a dry, cool, sleep in a hotel, with hot and cold running water. That we haven’t had to wash out of a bucket, or be eaten alive by small insects, either crawling up your leg, or flying and landing in the attack position. The last time we haven’t had to chop and cook our onion

      • Charlie joins George and Martins
        02/04/09
        Just below Chibia was where we were camped last night in a borrow pit, apart from ants there were no real aggravations’.
        Today we achieved the Angolan / Namibian border at Oshikango. The easiest border post so far. No hassle, one immigration and customs on each side, quick police vehicle cont

      • The Chinese way.
        02/03/09
        We achieved 377 miles, with a mixture of fresh, and pot holed tarmac, dusty tracks.

        The effect the Chinese are having in Angola is enormous, new bridges roads are all being engineered and developed by them. At any construction areas, the Chinese have the plans and pens, measuring tapes

      • DAY FIFTY EIGHT
        02/02/09
        Leaving Luanda, Angola. On the road south. Back on Tarmac roads, the first time for ages. Unfortunately this didnt last long.

        A great drive today and bush camped off the main road some 1.5 miles. Approx 40 miles before the port of Lobito.

      • Super Daves Football Shirts go to a good home in Nsanze in Angola
        02/01/09

    • January
      • DAY FIFTY SIX
        01/31/09
        Charlie arrives in Cape Town and prepares to fly north to Windhoek, Namibia. Then the drive North to the Etosha National Park to meet George and Martins.



        Hemisphere Frieght very kindly donated some pens which we handed out at this Catholic Mision at morning prayers and assem

      • Bottle Neck at the Angolan High Commission in the Congo DRC
        01/30/09

        After a great bush camp somewhere between Kinshasa and Matadi we find our way to the Angolan High Commission. There we meet The over Landers that we last saw in Brazzaville in the Congo.
        We met up with three bikers, Geoff from the UK, Mego from Germany and Mark from the States, also wai

      • DAY FIFTY FOUR
        01/29/09
        Ferry crossing over the River Congo into Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa.

        This wasn’t the best of days, up early and off to the Russian embassy where the money changers accumulate outside. Then to the Port at eight thirty, after going through Customs and immigration

      • A quiet celebration
        01/28/09
        We are early for our 10.00hrs appointment arriving at 9.30

        The consulate calls us in for an interview just after one. With my limited french not helping very much, we do manage to convey where we will be staying an the reason for our visit to the Congo DRC.
        His secretary reminds me

      • DAY FIFTY TWO
        01/27/09
        George and Martins have now spent 3 nights in the Congo the people are great, friendly, the road and the weather are not nearly so good.

        Tonight they hope to reach Brazzaville where they will try again to get there remaining visas.

        Thank you Keith.

        We spent another n

      • After a night at the Border Akou we present Emela King a french bible
        01/26/09
        158 miles achieved today, 117 in deep sand.
        This border was the cleanest, most friendly border we have come across. Because the roads are so difficult there is not much traffic.





        Ivan and Maureen Jacklin had given us a Bible printed in French and this mornin

      • Trying for the Congo Border post
        01/25/09
        Many of the bridges have potholes in front of them, but with the recent rains, it is difficult to tell how deep they are. Some you could call axle breakers. A slow approach is a wise one.

        Leaving the Gabon was a very easy business. Gabon for us had been brief, the towns of Fransville and

      • Last night in Gabon
        01/24/09
        The Gabon appears a much friendlier country although we did encounter two very tricky roadblocks. For 18 roadblocks and only two bad ones that isn’t bad. We were asked for driving licence, insurance, carnet, passport, fire extinguisher, medical records, in the end I got the computer out and provid

      • Goodbye Yaounde
        01/23/09
        Achieved 250 miles, fantastic scenery.
        Very disappointed we left Yaoundé with out our Congo DRC visas, but will explain in full at a later date. Our South African friends have been asked to meet again today and hopefully will get a result.

        Out of the Cameroon and into the Gabon.
      • Slowly Slowly catch your Monkey..
        01/22/09
        An old expression John Buchan once told me.
        Giles made a phone call from the British High commission in Yaoundé and we now have an appointment with his opposite at the Congo DRC at 3pm this afternoon to revisit our application.
        The south Africans have been asked to resubmit with reference

      • Dissapointment at DRC
        01/21/09
        The south Africans and ourselves were disappointed when we returned to the Congo DRC Embassy to be told that we should try again at Brazzaville. After taking the administration fee, we were given no reason why it was not possible to gain our visas here in Yaoundé.
        The South Africans SA Embassy

      • Important Day..
        01/20/09
        Yes a New President of America, Susie and Mothers Birthday.
        Obviously we celebrated all three events in the evening. But the first event delayed us obtaining our Gabon Visas. The Gabon consulate was busy at a party at the American Embassy and didnt make the 1st or 2nd appointment. Therfore dela

      • DAY FORTY FOUR
        01/19/09
        Today George and Martins arrived in Yaoundé.

        After a night below the Botanical Gardens in Limbe we head off follwing Jean Hannelise and their two boys William (3) and Jean Pier (5).

        Last night we stayed at the Mirimar, right on the coast, with stunning views of the offshore

      • Night beside the road.
        01/18/09
        After passing Kumba last night it got dark and as the tiredness set in, we realised our target of reaching the coastal town of Limbe was just to much. Bush camping here is not very safe and there are few places to pull off the road, as the vegetation is thick and tropical . However, we found a place

      • Cross into the Cameroon
        01/17/09
        We had another early start, and two rigerous police border checks before the border. It took us over two and a half hours to complete this and then we crossed a bridge over the Cross River into the Cameroon.

        Once over the bridge we completed some lenghty paperwork and one hour later we we

      • Trip to Ikom
        01/16/09
        Not looking forward to leaving the relative security of Abujar we leave for Ikom which is situated 20km before the Cameroon Border post.
        Once on the road, we started the police and millitary roadblocks.

        The countyside we passed was stunning, but as we sped away from the capital, the

      • Congo visa in pocket
        01/15/09
        Picked up the Congo visas this morning, tried to obtain Congo DRC had a flat no from the Ambassador.
        Air conditioning, sounds like a luxury item, but at 31+ degrees and 300+ miles it is very helpful in keeping fatigue to a min. No lookers out here, so off to the bush mechanics to get the air co

      • Life Abuja
        01/14/09
        Starting with another photo from Robert


        Abuja is a new city with most amenities, the people are friendly and for the first time in Nigeria we can relax.
        Currency. Here the local currency is the Naira, the change rate varies significantly, from 177 to the pound at the Sheraton

      • The Journey from Ibudan continues
        01/13/09
        This picture Robert shot as we entered Ghana


        Mean while George and Martins continued their Journey to xxxxxxxx.
        Road blocks by Police, Military and the National drug enforcement agency slowed down the journey considerably. After a stop in one village some men appeared with 8f

      • Togo, Benin and Nigeria...
        01/12/09
        George and Martins update.
        After Ghana, the 3hr border crossing into Togo was horrendous. With low spirits anyway, the last thing we wanted was a long and stressful entry into Togo.
        However Benin was completely different, and we were greeted with some friendly and helpfull immigration and

      • DAY THIRTY SEVEN
        01/12/09
        Peter Hume of Hemisphere begins preparations for the return of two of the LAND ROVERS from Accra, Ghana.

      • Team Update
        01/11/09
        Uncertainty in the following countries; Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo and Congo DRC and also differing views on the unknown, main concerns being delays with road blocks, obtaining visas, other and people’s time restraints. Taking all this into account, it was decided this morning that two vehicles will

      • Water Aid visit
        01/10/09
        After a noisey night at a water aid site for George and Martins the rest of the team join them for a practicle visit.



        Last night was the end of a 3 day fast and this was celebrated by an all night church service. After attending the local church service for an hour, Martins

      • WaterAid HQ visit
        01/09/09
        George and Martins Pick up the visas for Nigeria and then head to the WaterAid head quarters in Accra.
        Attah Arhen is the Fundraising and Donar contracts officer at the HQ. Shown below.


        Stephen Ntow is the county representative for Water Aid and is shown below. The headquarters

      • DAY THIRTY ONE
        01/06/09
        TEN THOUSAND BROKEN

        Today the Team Total passed £10,000.00. The new total is,

        £10,193.39


      • Ghana here we come
        01/04/09
        Mick, Martin, Robert and Sam made it through the border to Ghana yesterday and confirmed that George and Martins could obtain their visa at the border rather than wait until Monday.
        Having recovered from the laundry bill, we will make our way to the Ghana border and join the rest of the team.
      • Goodbye as the team split again.
        01/03/09
        After a check out, George and Martins join the rest of the team for Breakfast at the Mercure. Michael, Robert, Sam and Martin have their visas for Ghana and are planning to depart after lunch for the Mole Game Reserve in Ghana. George and Martins have to get their visas on Monday when the Embassy op

      • Robert Macs Birthday
        01/02/09
        Up early and pulled away as a local Shepherd drove his cattle through. The air cleaner had been cleaned out and the props had been greased, for some reason the engine had been cutting out at 60 mph can't quite work out why. Rads clean, but after confirmation from Kevin at Lookers later in the d

      • Gao (Gowoo).
        01/01/09
        Last night Martins and George enjoyed a dusty New Year in the town of Gao, that has one of the largest Cattle Markets in Mali (reputed). At midnight a trail of vehicles drove into the central sports field, (no grass) with hooters blazing, creating donaughts, we watched from the mud rooftop of the ca

  • 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
      • Wemoto Web Hosts
        11/30/08
        Thanks to Colin at WEMOTO for providing our webspace and also for getting this diary page installed and running.
        WEMOTO on line motorcycle parts

      • Send Off Dinner
        11/28/08
        Thanks to Ken and Sarah for the excellent send off party.

      • Team Total...
        11/27/08
        Today we passed the £6,000.00 marker.

      • Team Total
        11/27/08
        Today we passed the £6,000.00 marker.

      • Help with the return of the equipment...
        11/25/08

        George Wright, Mick Johnson and Keith Coles met Peter Hume and MD Andrew Perrin of

        Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd
        Hemisphere House
        847 The Cresent
        Colchester Business Park
        Colchester
        Essex. CO4 9YQ


        Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd