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G. Alusi

What an amazing trip!

We have been all the way to Timbuktu and met with it's wonderful people.

We donated the remaining 2cars and medical supplies to the Desert Hospital Touareg - which has no ambulances and is 40km North of Timbuktu. They reciprocated with overwhelming generosity and hospitality. I feel privileged to know that our trip has made such a difference.

Homeward bound; Family and Friends await.

A quick break on the road...

6hours to cross the Mauritania/Senegal border yesterday, leaving us to sleep in very rough accommodation! On the way again now and 550km to cover with one car reduced to "very slow" (although it IS still going).

We met a consultant surgeon from Hammersmith (a few days ago) along with 500 Europeans on the B2 rally as well as some locals and some ex-pats who were extremely helpful... Unfortunately, we found out that the Festival of the Desert was held north of Timbuktu 2weeks ago!

We have now completed the distribution of the mosquito nets and most of the other supplies to the NGO's but we still have some medicines and medical supplies to get to Mali.

Thank you to all those who sent messages of support following the news paper articles last week. In our opinion that last article was unbalanced, insensitive and, considering that the journalist wrote such a supportive article the day before, a might irresponsible itself! After all, we are a group of extremely risk averse individuals who are taking professional advice and regularly monitoring both the security and political situations.

Ah, arrived in Nouakshott this morning after (several) car breakdowns and severe border delays, so much so we failed to make camp last night...

Back on the road already; the horizon beckons!

Minor hitches may just have developed further...

Approaching Laayoune in Western Sahara at the end of three long days driving - length of Spain in one day after an overnight ferry. (Will won the poker that night - apologies Matt but had to get that in!)

Drove via Moh's sister in Casablanca (what a welcome from a wonderful host) and spent overnight in Agadir.

A mention regarding the slumbering noise coming from Gus??

The car that blew up is back on the road with various minor hitches - just passed a camel herd against the backdrop of crashing Atlantic breakers as we cruise the coast...

Tomorrow; Dakhla before Mauritania.

Again, a massive thanks to all who sponsored us!

Breaking new...
Car 1 oil leak
Car 2 broken window (due to over exuberance with a jimmy) now fixed with a surf board
Car 3 over heating (the Range Rover)
Car 4 broken down but have been towed and partially fixed in Rabat

We won't mention the motion sickness.

Onwards; Casablanca awaits!

About to cross from Gibraltar to Tangir.
Delays yesterday meant less than 2hours sleep!

However, please to find that we'd made the Evening Standard last night...
"X factor driving us from here to TimbuktuMiranda Bryant19 Jan 2011"

Packed and ready to go!