Scooters IN Sahara Update

[Fanum]

In Hospital.....haven't spoken directly to her recently so not tsure other than that I'm afraid

Here are the phone numbers from David (Stella's hubby).....posting here 'cos I know the guys are checking in and hopefully they'll find these before they get there

Michelle i/c chimp camp & Badi Mayo 9747869 but hard to get at camp
Camp land line not always working throughout day persevere: 5673220
Edrissa camp manager try in evening when back in Sambel village 9951013
Master Darboe head of Sambel school 7815371 landline 5673123
Mr MBoob nurse at clinic Sambel 9861689
Chimp Rehab Gambia & Badi Mayo ++220 4497554
++220 9958508 [mobile]

HTH

 

[Jaq]

Thanx.....

Thanx Bill for those.....
Awful about Stella though....
Just had a few texts from Paul....no signal yesterday....they reached the Mauritanian border at about 13.30 today.....and at 15.00, were still waiting to get through.....!
Apparently, they camped on a minefield yesterday ....and got told off for it...should blinking well think so, the muppets........
The team met up with Bert et al yesterday, who are on their way home.....
Everyone ok and in one piece....despite their best minefield efforts.....

 

[Jaq]

Bit late, I know, but I've been busy.......

'Phone call from my dear man about 9 hours ago to say that they'd just got into Mauritania and were looking for a campsite......
Apparently, it took a while getting OUT of Morocco.....but was ok getting into Mauri......
Message to Gecko....yes, Steve did get the truck stamped coming out of Spain.....
Ian (Cogs) had come off his bike, supposedly shunting into the back of Jo....but both ok.....
Dennis had texted Ian (MrIFan) earlier, asking about us taking some new exhausts out with us......blimey, I'm going to have to get a bigger rucksack now, what with snoring strips, exhaust systems, booze and clean drawers.....

 

[Crapaud]

Jaq

Please pass on best wishes to everyone on the trip. Sorry I couldn't join them myself but too much else on this year. Good to here they've got in Mauritania OK.

Onwards towards Zebrabar?

Hope they all have a safe and fun journey.

All the best

Sid

 

[Jaq]

Will do, Sid....

Ian, where on Earth are we going to put 4 exhausts?????!!!....may be best not to answer that one......

Not heard anything tonight, but hardly surprising as the signal there was definitely getting iffy......hopefully they're well into Mauritania by now.....

 

[Trippy]

Jaq say hi and send best wishes when you speak to them.

 

[Jaq]

Will do, Jim....

Do you fancy coming next time??....I defo want to do the desert route with Dennis......

 

[Jaq]

Mauritanian border.......

Just spoken to Paul....at present in police station, trying to leave Mauritania for the grand total of 40 euros (for all of them)....but waiting to see how much it will cost to get into Senegal....if I remember rightly, that was the most expensive (?)...anyway, they're hoping to get to the Zebrabar tonight....wish I was there....fabby place........and they need to get some booze into themselves, otherwise they're going to start DTing......
We've had more wish list requests.....wet wipes for them all, 'cos they're all getting a bit pongy.......I've told them we'll scrap flying and take a van instead....
Paul came off the bike today, but just landed in soft sand, so no hurt done....or to him........

3 days, Ian.....

 

[MrIFan]

(....I've told them we'll scrap flying and take a van instead....

3 days, Ian.....

Been offered a Mitsubishi Pajero to take down there, was just to late to go with them in December, so we could take that
I've already stocked up on wet wipes cos I thought they'd be needin em

not heard back from Dennis yet as to other spares they need but will take a few of the obvious anyway, and from the sounds of all the "offs" that will include lots of easy to pack levers

Nearly 2 days

 

[Rev Chuck]

Senegal?

Had a phonecall from Charles tonight, they're still in Senegal and will be at the Gambian border tomorrow.
Looking forward to meeting up with Jaq and Ian, and of course getting to Bansang ^^

Mark
xx

 

[Jaq]

Right...I'm off....just finished packing.......

See you laterz, alligatorzzzzzzzzzzz..........

 

[Rev Chuck]

On ferry to Banjul and hoping it will leave soon -been there for 3 hours already!! hotel only 45mins away - if the ferry ever leaves. on to Bansang tomorrow once they have sorted out tickets for home. all well and everything fine.

Mrs Rev Chuck

 

[jez]

Very well done lads and lasses. Hope you enjoy the delights of the southern road up country as much as Jason and I did on the last scoots trip.It makes all thats gone before seem like motorway. Don't forget to take water with you , not just beer

 

[(RIP) Dennis]

Well as many of you prbably already know I'm now back in the UK due to a family bereathment. I flew in from the Zebrabar on Tuesday, arriving home at 9pm after a little over 33 hours on the road... Started out with a 158mile taxi ride from Zebrabar to Dakar, flew to Lisbon, changed planes and then on to Gatwick. Collected by Shready (Jon), transported to Paul (obertones) place in Woodford.Collected GS and rode home in appalling weather to Wales.

I've now just about come around from the trip... The rest of the guys should by now be in Banjul anxiously awaiting the arrival of MrIfan and Jaq ataround 5.30pm (Paul perhaps a little more anxiously than most!!!)

Overall the trip is running fine and just about on schedule. Once again we missed out the desert crossing, this time due to the potential problems in Mauritania....I'll be back (perhaps) We had a few more problems with the scoots this time, particularly with broken exhausts. I think any future trips will insist on all Scoots being fitted with new exhausts prior to departure. MrIfan is flying out with 4 exhausts under his arm as hand luggage. Wish I'd been at Gatwick to see that !!!.

Tomorrow should see them heading up the south bank towards Bansang and probably calling in at Stella's enroute. Really sorry not to be with them, but sometimes priorities just have to be realigned a little.

God Speed to them all

 

[Rev Chuck]

Glad you're back safely, Dennis, and very sorry that's how it had to be.

All had a day in Banjul waiting for Jaq and ian. both have arrived safely and all (i think!!!) were heading out for dinner at the Lebanese reataurant. Leaving at 6 am tomorrow to try to avoid queues at the ferry and hoping to leave at 9. Next stop Bansang!

mrs Rev Chuck

 

[Fanum]

Just heard from Paul.....they've arrived in Bansang

 

[Ogmios]

Yayyy!!!!!!
Well Done to All!
​

 

[Bert]

slightly late but better than never

We met up with the Scoots Crew in the desert.
Here are a few shots

 

[oblertone]

Home again ...

... and yet again, very mixed feelings about it all. There will doubtless be a ride report or two as loads of pic's were taken; but essentially after arriving at Bansang Hospital we set about resuscitating our steeds and servicing the ones left two years ago. One casualty from this years crop was Dennis' steed who's rear subframe gave up about a mile short of the Hospital. All bar one of the bikes from last time were still running although minus a few bit's and pieces, so with the new ones they have a veritable fleet

Then it was off to Stella's place and to work on her crop of 90's. Again, remarkable that all were runners although we did leave with a 'wish' list. Stella's place was simply stunning and VERY hospitable.

The problem of getting out of the Gambia again cast a shadow on proceedings; but following a 12hr 'taxi' ride to Dakar, a dodgy hotel and loads of beer, 5 of us made it back to the UK today; stirred if not shaken

All that remains (except for the ride reports) is to say a huge thank-you to all those who's support made this crazy escapade work, AGAIN Particular thanks go to David Hale for his sterling work in transporting the scoots to Southern Spain

I'm now off to bed for 12hrs kip

 

[sparkplug]

Glad to hear you're back safely Paul - been keeping an eye out for your updates

Now I'm looking forward to the pics and ride report.