TEN THOUSAND BROKEN
Today the Team Total passed £10,000.00. The new total is,
£10,193.39
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( 0 / 0 )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.
Tendring Water Aid team supported a project in Ghana and we would like to interact with the local WaterAid group and see how the project has developed.
These old British landrovers just keep on going, its amazing how many Toyotas have their bonnets up... I hope I'm not speaking too soon!
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( 0 / 0 )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 opens and can then catch up with the others.
It was just before lunch a major incident occurred that affects the whole team. Robert and Sam look devastated in the Car park and Mick is close to tears. It appears they have all received the bill for the hotel laundry service. It comes to more than their hotel bills. I run as fast as I can to the laundry room to remove my own before they start work on it. Too late its gone! Martin Johnson however is very pleased, his best shorts that have been stained for years are now spotlessly clean!
Some of the road making equipment we passed yesterday.
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( 0 / 0 )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 day he suggests this could be a short to earth on the temperature sensor gauge. Will check the wiring later.
At Sevare we meet a Danish couple also looking for money, Annabell and Marcel. We rapidly form a convoy of people all trying banks and cash points. At Mopti still no luck. At this point we discover a cows tail placed between the cab and back of our vehicle. Is this a voodoo curse... I remove instantly, and go to a local trader in Mopti that converted Sterling to Local currency some days earlier. At last he agreed a sensible rate and we were on our way to fuel up.
These locals were after cardou (gifts) just past Douentza
The drive towards Bakina Faso was absolutely stunning as we passed though a mountainous route, water running through the mountains supported local villages that made houses from the rocks.
Crops supported by the water, brings a green belt.
Washing and irrigation from the streams in the rocks
As the day draws to an end we approach the capital of Bakina having crossed the border, which is spaced out some 50km from Mali check outs to Bakina check in. The City of Ouagadougou is bustling with life, many of the vehicles have no lights, George is absolutely shattered and after an hour searching for the Mercure hotel where the rest of the team have regrouped, we check in at a hotel in the centre of town. Wash and jump in the hotel bus and he takes to the Mercure, 3 km north east of the centre.
It's great to meet up with the others and exchange news and celebrate Roberts birthday.
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( 0 / 0 )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 campsite. The odd singular firework and firecrackers were let off all over the town.
In the morning after renewing 3rd party cover insurance we tried to obtain some local currencey for fuel, we were told we would have to try Douentza 389 km from Gao. 50% of the population here are unemployed and therefore, there is always a trail of people following you.
Douentza was on the way to Bakina where we hoped to join the main group again. On route to Douentza we pass through Hombori, banks closed.
As we passed Hombori, the mountainous rocks were extraordinary.
Well Douentza no banks open New Years Day (funny that) cash machines not working or empty, Sevare and Mopti next on our list 222km down the road, we drove half the distance and pulled off the road for bush camp.
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