Blog

Day 35… Saturday 6th May A 5 hour drive heading from Faranah to Gueckedou along a tared road for most of the way – very few vehicles, just the odd cow, chicken, goat or pig wandering across the road.  The last half hour was a bumpy dirt road but was brief and bearable.  No police...Read More

Day 34… Friday 5th May Our route to Faranah took us up a windy mountain road with very little traffic.  The road was being repaired and passed lots of construction workers and Chinese site compounds.  Slow going with huge potholes.  Drive time today of 6 hours.  Not much progress.  Only 3 police stops today –...Read More

Day 33… Thursday 4th May We had a tour around the waterfalls and set off around mid-day with a 4 hour drive to Mamou.  As we set off with a 2km drive to the main road, passed an army truck with men carrying weapons and with balaclavas.  Driving quickly on, there was a tank (note...Read More

Days 30/31/32… 1st/2nd/3rd May Having arrived in Conakry on a Sunday, we soon discovered that Monday was a national holiday and the Ivory Coast embassy would not be open.  We visited on Tuesday and the visa turnaround process was 24 hours so we extended our hotel stay.  No complaints!  We tried to get to a...Read More

Day 29… Sunday 30th April Greta sustained minor damage to her undercarriage yesterday and has sprung a leak (oil? power steering fluid?).  We purchased oil, topped her up and hoped she would manage a 5 hour journey to Conakry and a garage for repairs.  Tarmacked roads with some large potholes for the entire route –...Read More

Day 28… Saturday 29th April The chosen route today to Boke was a difficult challenge and in hindsight we should not have gone this way.  It was a dirt road but so badly damaged from erosion that these were not potholes but deep crevice’s to tackle.  A couple of cars and lorries were also attempting...Read More

Day 27… Friday 28 April Early start with another border crossing to contend with into Guinea.  The road we took was very peaceful though a wood with lots of termite mounds.  Hardly Na passing car.  Border crossing very quiet – stamped out of Senegal by a friendly officer.  Getting into Guinea was a 20 minute...Read More

Day 26… Thursday 27 April A short drive to Tambacounda along a quiet scenic road through several villages.  Items being sold along the roadside included coal and timber.  Checked into a nice hotel tonight – final day in Senegal before attempting the border crossing into Guinea.  We also had the fuel filter fitted to Greta...Read More

Day 25… Wednesday 26th April Essential items needed every day since arriving in Senegal: Deet (50%).  The mosquitoes always seem to find a way to bite and I am covered.  Either the deet is faulty or the little critters have become immune to the stuff or perhaps just ignore it and bite anyway.  Malaria tablet...Read More

Day 24… Tuesday 25th April Found a large supermarket where security was high.  We had 2 security guards standing next to Greta on our return.  I gave them some small change but still cannot decide if there is a crime problem here or they are interested in the vehicle or just after a tip.  It...Read More