Gael warning in the Congo

A couple of summers ago I had a major oil leak around the fuel filter on a motorhome (on a Fiat Ducato chassis). AA came out and diagnosed that the filter casing/filter was fecked and he was unable to get the filter off the casing. As a temporary fix, to allow me to get to a Fiat dealership without having to be 'rescued', he wrapped the leaking joint with what looked like a heavy duty Sellotape. It worked a treat. Unfortunately, I have lost the bit of paper that I wrote the details of the tape on!!!!
 
Thanks Paul. Back to motorrad this morning to see what the master technician makes if it.

Yesterday a busy day meeting Jeddah bikers who seem to view me as a visiting celebrity.

Also got to visit a local Saudi enthusiast's business garage
b9f5b5aef1374bc05c7f7c94de6c2adb.jpg
177d44f679044e72f1803569820f1f16.jpg
4bed47333e331c6f4887a25917fa5f9a.jpg
ef84a7a41f7577e46d583a92ab8b11df.jpg
012da31b36b399bf25429d1e694305f6.jpg
b5a02dcb5001d7bc4d7619869ad5afb9.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Had some delicious ful at 11 last night(they eat later here!) with superb unleavened bread mixed and baked on the premises
f7dfcc020d19e860e25d3ee361c8e931.jpg
6d27460d01709fa57fe1043859c3f31d.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
But what I have enjoyed most is spending time with guys living and working here and learning about the challenges of dependence on a local sponsor, and a permit system, never being able to own a property or get citizenship or permanent residence. Most of the bikers are Egyptian, or from Pakistan or India although I also met one Sudanese biker on a GSA and a Saudi (who brought his GS in on a truck for a spoke recall and apparently only dies a few 100 kms per year).

Clearly there are economic benefits for those who choose to stay and work here.

I’ll say no more at this point (and likewise ask commenters to refrain) whilst I enjoy the hospitality of Saudi. And I have been pleasantly surprised by Jeddah, having hated a visit to Riyadh 12 years ago. But as someone said last night, they are very different cities and Jeddah also benefits from its beautiful position on the Red Sea.
6aa6471f0bd2750b9de42a97af6d6665.jpg
.

Now time to go enjoy the heat and get some breakfast...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
So it’s the last day if the Islamic week so I have been rushing around. Generally good progress:

The BMW senior technician (ie the 30 year old vs yesterday’s 20 year old) has put a base of heat proof silicone which now holds the filler plug seat without movement or oil leakage (as far as I can see after 20 kms or so).

He suggested 155,000 kms of use, especially in hot climes means the plug and base may be damaged. Incredible to recount, I was told the Bmw recommendation is to replace plug, seat and rocket cover which I find unbelievable!

Anyway seems to work for now. And the oil and filter change was the most expensive I have had success starting the trip at around £100. (I didn't quibble as they fixed the other stuff without charge, but gently asked why the oil was 13USD a litre given they produce the stuff. I was told it's BMW oil from Germany. Well there you go.

I then found my way to the Garmin shop...bit of a panic as it was closed but the Guy was called and turned up. And he has managed to load Middle East mappings and the Europe South I was missing...so I have a better chance of finding my way home....

I innocently enquired whether Israel was included and was told ‘No it does not include Israel!’

And finally I fuelled up ahead of tomorrow’s departure. No petrol shortage here....but I did have to wait 20 minutes for prayers to conclude
91f5094ef18caf1eca3921125b6d2135.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
On the travel front the picture is more complex. The bmw service manager did some calling to contacts and believes the boat to Turkey May have stopped running!

So now I have started to investigate oats out of Israel. Unfortunately the boat to Greece from Haifa no longer takes passengers just vehicles and the one from Ashdod that takes both pax and vehicles only goes to Salerno, Italy.

So more thinking required.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks Pete. I believe the ride to Israel is pretty easy....just follow the Red Sea coast from here Northwest and cross into Jordan at Durra border post and then a short ride across to the Wadi Arabi Itzhak crossing into Israel. There is supposedly even a free 24 hour transit visa for Jordan which will do me fine if still available.

It’s just a matter of assessing the different ferries to Europe...none is ideal for my purpose


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Salerno sounds good or does that miss out too much of the route?

Then again Red Sea - Jordan - Israel sounds good too.

Great RR by the way.
 
Salerno is the wrong way for my objective of Bulgaria where I shall park the bike at Motocamp...a good location for future forays east and north of there, (or for sale to some lucky GSer who has a similar aspiration).

Plus I don't fancy riding back to UK in November in my lightweight gear!

So most likely it will be Haifa to Lavrio (70 kms S of Athens). Then ride north to Bulgaria wearing every stitch of clothing I have with me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It was a pleasure to meet you
Loved your comment about being treated as celebrity 👍🏻😊😂
In our cultures we consider every visitor / tourist / traveler as our guest so if u end up meeting the right people you will always get a VIP treatment
Wish you all the best for your journey
 
It was a pleasure to meet you
Loved your comment about being treated as celebrity ��������
In our cultures we consider every visitor / tourist / traveler as our guest so if u end up meeting the right people you will always get a VIP treatment
Wish you all the best for your journey

Great 1st post Naveed - welcome!
 
Now in Duba after 800 kms ride from Jeddah.
More to follow...seen a lot of sand!
68beddece2d15bb77988ecb9359ba5cb.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Twizzle : have been actively calling everyone in Turkey or Saudi Arabia who has had anything to do with it for the past three weeks from the Operations guy Aydin Iner down without any useful information in response!

My plans have moved on

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
 
I innocently enquired whether Israel was included and was told ‘No it does not include Israel!’

And finally I fuelled up ahead of tomorrow’s departure. No petrol shortage here....but I did have to wait 20 minutes for prayers to conclude

Sounds like asked and answered re Israel, can't see the issue?

I'd rather wait 20 minutes for prayers than the other options, which would be totally closed from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning or closed all day Sunday depending on the religion of the country visiting.
 
Twizzle : have been actively calling everyone in Turkey or Saudi Arabia who has had anything to do with it for the past three weeks from the Operations guy Aydin Iner down without any useful information in response!

My plans have moved on

Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk

Keep it fluid...
 


Back
Top Bottom