Sorry been off-line for last week when we've been up river in Gambia roughing it at Horse and Donkey Trust. Trip so far has been fantastic. Yesterday was very hot ride to get from Sambel Kunda along some bumpy sandy roads across to Banjul. First hour was all on soft sand which was bit of handful on fully loaded GSers. I managed to crash on main road in 4th gear whilst going around road works and didn't realise how soft earth track was. Went down hard on left hand side, minor scrape on corner of tank and metal mule pannier a bit dented (they are seriously strong pieces of kit). Banged elbow but body armour did its job. Twisted shoulder which hurt until Banjul but OK today. Its my left arm so I can still pick up beers with my right arm.
After the time up river, we've checked into 5* Ocean Bay Hotel. It is weird seeing white Brits again after travelling through real Africa.
Went to Bansang Hospital a few days ago for Mikey to check out the solar panels and batteries. Checked over a few of the scoots and they badly need some decent spares to maintain them. Who is main contact for Scoots these days? I need to update them on a few extra bits that they need to take.
Just walked up road and found lovely internet cafe with proper QWERTY keyboard, decent PCs and attractive waitress keeping me supplied with cold drinks. Too hot to be out in midday sun so might just chill out here for a while...
To all who have sponsored, thanks again. This road will make a huge difference and will really save lives. It will help in 3 main ways:
1. It will allow the villages to reach and tend their rice crops. This will allow them to feed themselves (they suffer severe famine otherwise) and allow them to sell surplus crops at market to help reduce the acute poverty.
2. It allows them to get to the clinic in the next town. Women told harrowing stories of children dying because they could not get to the clinic in time.
3. Education. The secondary school kids need to travel to the next town to continue their education and this will only be possible with this new road.
So it might not sound "sexy" or "cool" to be giving money for a piece of road but it really is a fantastic cause and everyone who has donated should feel very proud that they have helped to make a real difference. The appeal will stay open so it is not too late to donate now.
Cheers guys
Sid