ESSAKANE, TOMBOUCTOU and now...

[Bert]

heading back towards home.
Festival du Desert was brilliant, what an adventure!
Some low life stole my tenty in Tombouctou so plenty of sleeping rough!
Very hot, pics when I get back.
The SOS Children Village were over the moon with Malorone medication. so to those who contributed, a great thank you from them. again pics to the donating when I return to UK.
The 42 adult treatme"nts equate to approx 120 fopr kids for pills went even further.
The F650GS is THE way to travel especially if you are going into sand
Still standing but very dirty. Just arrived in Bamako and no rooms at the Inn
So back out we go!!!
C U guys

PS Casey : fork just holding out, else so far so good.
Bertrand

 

[MikeP]

Well done Bertrand.

Sorry to hear about the tent but then being une petite demi-frog I expect you can shelter under your bike

Seriously, good one can't wait to see the piccies.

 

[Bert]

Now in Nouakchott

smelly dusty and well parched - never been so happy to see running water and a chilled beer!
Front forks well knackered but good job I put in strong springs...still rebound= nul points!
Engine ticking over well- despite the fuel- talk about sootty!
Changed rear tyre in Mopti and now tomorrow the front. They have done well and provided you get the pressures rights, work well in sand too (gravel, mud, holes, bthe few bushes I visited 'accidentally' coming off piste, dust, etc etc and they ride over dead gaots too with the greatest of ease! even lkive ones (almost)
still fresh m,eat is in short supply here.
Wondering about extra fuel tanks? well they saved the bike many a time and as far as fuel, how does 748kms with NO petrol grab you?
Had to resort to 'initiatives' by finding some on the black market then it's haggle weakly as they know you need it! still did so out of politeness !
Side stand went off on a 'barny' so found a welder and got that fixed.
Last night wasn't nice as woke up covered in creepy crawlies- morale to that story: hand on to your vital gear - that lost tent has made fopr many uncomfortable nights. and when it rained..... yes even out here!
Chilling out at hotel Halima in Nouakchott tonight and tomorrow, washing everything and getting ready for the next long leg.
Hope everyone is well and I tank those who have and are sending me nice texts from home/friends on my sat phone.
now for some serious business!
Cheers
Bertrand

 

[Bert]

arrived at

a donkey of a town called Boujdour. still at 8 pop*unds for a bed and a shower and my 650 in the foyer (if you can call it that!) cannot complain.
Stil without a tent so dug myself a depression in sand and bedded down. little did I guess that the clear starry night would turn into a deluge and my depression become a swimming pool! still it is all part of adventure.
Fog for 400kms the next day....
still fuel now plentyful and finally found SUPER so 650 better running.

Casey = all well. need to find a clean hotel to chill out a couple of days and repack.
speak to you soon
Bert loving Africa

 

[Bert]

Just for Mike Prince

and here is one for your big GS
You have got to love sand if you're headed down this way

 

[Bert]

if you'd rather fly there

if precious is too precious.... there is always this

 

[Bert]

unless you're prepared for lots of this....

and yes, it does give rise to a few spectacular dives off the GS but what an adventure

 

[Bert]

sorry don't know how to multiple upload

so here is another shot for you

 

[Bert]

new friends at every corner

and can they cook up a meal

 

[Bert]

ESSAKANE

yup was there and here is some who objected when I tried to get a leg over it....errmm no not that kind geeezzzzz, you chaps haven't changed and a breath to match yours in barcelona 2005 Mike ha ha ha

 

[Bert]

SOS Villages Enfants very happy

To those of you who contributed either via my wed site www.justgiving.com/bertrandsargisson
where you still can help

and those of you who sent me cash to buy Malarone (42 adult treatments) which, I am told are increased as the tablets are ground and weighed according to the needs of each infected child, was more than 90 treatments.

From them: a big THANK YOU

PS will still be collecting medications and also exercise books, biros, rulers etc for their school. Anyone connected who can help; please get in touch.
Thanks
Bertrand

 

[Bert]

The Director of SOS Village Enfants Mopti, Mr Coulibally

A real Gentleman
The children insited he got on the F650 GS
(best bike for the job I can vouch for that= a little lighter would have helped this vertically challenged Franco=English chappy too (just to please MikeP )

 

[MikeP]

A real Gentleman
The children insited he got on the F650 GS
(best bike for the job I can vouch for that= a little lighter would have helped this vertically challenged Franco=English chappy too (just to please MikeP )

Excellent pictures Bert
(Have you removed the Armco magnets for the return )

 

[Bert]

eerm..

unsure as what the armco magnet refer to- perhaps you could enlighten me!
Don't forget folks, still needing school supplies, meds/med kit/vitamins etc
contact me for list if you are able and willing to help.
Cheers

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Good on ya Lot of miles behind, not much left!


Re: one for the big GS. I'd LOVE to do it with my 1100. Sand driving has it's charm, isn't it. The weight difference between 650 and 11xx is small if fully loaded, especially if you have that big tank on , but 100Nm of low-rpm power torque starts to play, i LOVE the sand on grunty boxer, at least it goes forward on gravel and sand if i give it a throttle under a lot of luggage weight! Good driving practice.

Makes me dream...


Ride safely home, good luck!

Margus

 

[Bert]

Yes butt......

There is only so many times your body can take the punishment in one day of being repeatedly decked even in sand!! then having to unload and lift up the bike again. Yes, I learned but it wasn't easy! and not the type of surface you get complacent on!

The F650, with its single vertical 'pot' is less likely to get damaged.
Don't forget that the TT tanks also protect the bike!

And...you're a VERY long way from help, prof.mechanics and BMW..... in few words...you're on your own. Any serious damage does not bear thinking about.
Not quite within the silver card for BMW rescue areas!!!!!
Not to mention to your own carcass...!!