Some photos uploaded

Crouch End,London,UK
Here are a few snaps
Simon and I hope you like them.

The end of the road

Texts today, varying from startling to relief.
Duentza, Mali
'We have just got back to Duentza and back on tarmac. One of the cars has died. Ours the brake pipe snapped and a bit of the suspension bent but should be ok.'

'Due in to Bamako at 9pm. Had to get some major work done to monsta this am after last night killer drive back from Timbuktu.'

'Wehey. We've arrived back in Bamako and checked into 5 star hotel. Cold coke, got shower and some food now!'

The largest mud brick building in the world

Djenne, Mali Djenne by the way is the home of the Great Mosque of Djenne, the largest mud brick building in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Djenn%C3%A9

Recent TXT messages from Simon

Most recent messages from Simon
Timbuktu, mali
09-JAN-08 @ 22:17 (UK)
We're in a queue waiting for ferry across the river Niger to Timbuktu. Probably cross at about 1.30 am in the morning.

10-JAN-08 @ around 9:00 AM (UK)
We've made it - we're in Timbuktu. It was a really tough journey across the desert but worth the effort for the satisfaction of getting there.

When I asked what Timbuktu was like and if there was anything there this was the reply:

[Timbuktu is] just another sandswept desert town. More sense of achievement at having made it. Got Passport stamped. Slept in car outside town last night.
To Djenne today.

Timbuktu or bust?!

The roving explorers aren't satisfied with getting to the final destination Bamako early, so they are now on their way to Timbuktu after 5 hours of off-roading. Now stuck in a traffic jam and waiting to get across the river Niger, along with lots of other cars on their way to the apparently famous Festival in the Desert (http://www.festival-in-the-desert.com/?gclid=COWHz_2g6pACFQVuMAodPSUEPA). They haven't got time to go to the festival as they have a plane to catch!

Bamako

Bamako, Mali I got a text to say that they reached Bamako this afternoon and they are having a well deserved beer to celebrate!

Post from mobile

Bamako, mali we've made it. Just arrived. Stopped at an auberge and having a beer. Not sure whether they hv enough beds may move on I

Destination: Mali

Just spoken briefly to Alex this evening and they have finally crossed the border into Nioro, Mali and are now heading for the capital and final destination Bamako! They are planning to go to Bamako first, then to Timbuktu, then back to Bamako again, so fingers crossed will make it well within time. Camping tonight somewhere en route.

For a map of Mali see this link: http://graphicmaps.com/webimage/countrys/africa/ml.htm

News from Mauritania

Nouakchott, Mauritania Hello from Simon and Alex. Happy New Year to you all. We have now arrived in Nouakchott after traveling across the desert and beach run. It was fantastic if not a bit scary when the trusty Monsta II overheated after the fan stopped working from being thrown over rocks and sand dunes.
Luckily we are in a group with a guy called Carl who is a whizz with cars and luckily has even more bits and pieces than we brought.
We reconnected hoses dealt with the fan and since then it's been ok.... touch the sand encrusted wooden dashboard.

Unfortunately there have been problems with the post from mobile function and to top it all neither mine nor Simon's phones can work over here. I have received some texts but can't reply. Hopefully Mali may be better..

So tomorrow we are setting off across Mauritania. The journey should be tarmac all the way now so things should be easier than the getting stuck in sand digging and pushing of the last few days.
For any of you that have heard of problems in Mauritania and have been worrying, we have been told by the police, in the capital, that the perpetrators of the isolated incident have been caught and also that there are extra security controls along the routes. This has been a rare isolated incident not a widespread concern. Please don't worry everything is fine.

So I hope everyone is having a very good New Year and enjoying getting back to work in the cold and wet.

Best Wishes until the next time we manage to either send a text or get to an Internet cafe.


Alex