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 8ft 4x2 planks with 10 inch nails or spikes, which they tried to place under the vehicles wheels. Luckily this was completely miss timed and we sounded the horn and locked the doors, the traffic in front and behind stopped and Nigerian drivers showed their anger at the attackers and this was enough for them to back off. This happened three more times during the day, but luckily we saw the signs early enough to take evasive action narrowly missing one plank and the aggressor.
The country as we headed north was absolutely fantastic, and eventually we met our friend the Niger river again. As we headed north there were less armed road blocks. After approximately 400 miles the dark was upon us and we pulled up to a garage and managed to obtain an escort to our final destination the xxxxxxxxxx.
I understand from Robert that Peter Hume from Hemisphere Freight has sorted containers out for loading tomorrow, the 14th January.
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( 3 / 100 )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 customs officials that whisked us through in one hour. Once in Benin a bush camp was difficult to find. Eventually a left turn up a mud road lead us to a house with high walled security border. The inhabitants were happy to share our supper and let us stay. Again the Teddies were a handy treat for the children.
But that was yesterday. An early start today and to the Nigerian Border, I really shouldn’t elaborate on this to much at this stage, but the concerns of that the rest of the team had were spot on. Again a slow crossing, various people requiring a little extra to continue the process....
Once through the border the first mile was lined with a mixture of armed Military and civilian police, stopping vehicles again and again, repeating the process of constant and repetitive checking of documents all requiring a little something extra of course. If you tried to drive on, a manual hand operated rake spike was put under the car, which would puncture your tyres if you drove forwards. After the first mile, the rakes fell away and the stops went to 50 metres and then 500 metre intervals, but it wasn’t until well past Lagos that you could travel more than a few miles at a time.
In the meantime we decided to pull up to an army official, and asked for directions. He agreed to escort us out of Lagos and put us on the Ibadan road. A wise investment.
We were approached by someone on foot, the traffic was slow, and he started to bang heavily on the door and window. Our escort stopped and after showing a gun, the would attacker ran off away from the landrover. But on the whole with an escort we sailed along.
Reaching Ibadan with no currency proved to be a hassle, no banks changing sterling and ATMs not accepting our cards. After reaching a secure hotel, on the top of Mokola Hill, the manager took us shopping for local currency. A shoe shop giving us the best rate.
Ibadam is reputed by the locals to be the largest African city, although this is not supported by the lonely planets books. But it is never the less large and densely populated.
After a bite to eat we were ushered into the studio, (which was on the ground floor of the hotel) of Splash FM. The number 1 music station for the south west Nigeria.
After inviting us on air for our top 3 records, Aretha Franklin, Think and James Blunts Beautifull which was dedicated to someone at home and another, we had a live and recorded interview, about the charity we are supporting. Made an interesting end to an otherwise stressful day.
The radio crew did advise, no bush camping. The Delta a no go zone. Mainly because, the youngsters in the north spend their money on music food and clothes, but in the delta region we were told the spend was on weapons. The capture of whites for ransom is proving to lucrative.
For various reasons we may well put a delay on our updates from now on. But I definitely feel that the main team members made a very good choice yesterday for whatever reason and I hope that they are not delayed to long in Ghana, although we all found Ghana a pleasant and friendly country.
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( 3 / 103 )Peter Hume of Hemisphere begins preparations for the return of two of the LAND ROVERS from Accra, Ghana.
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( 3 / 114 )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 return to Accra, Ghana, intending to depart from this port, to return to the UK. Peter Hume from Hemishere Freight, a Colchester based company, will be informed in the morning for their support in transporting the vehicles home.
George and Martins still wish to push on and the rest of the team, although highly concerned, wish them well with their forward journey. Both groups will update the website, as and when they have more to report.
Before the team leave their last local village camp together, Mick gives the local team some of the Football shirts that ITFC gave for such an occasion.
Mick also hands out some pens, some crayons, and some footballs that Martin had donated. The village were very pleased with all the gifts. The local team were about to play a match and also excited with their new kit.
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( 3 / 124 )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 first and then George retired, but the tents were outside the church, and the service didnt finish until 6.00am.
Sam was keen to see how long it would take him to fill the tank.
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