Monday 23 January 2012

Keep heading south we're getting nearer...

So I last left you as we headed into Tanzania where our first night was spent in the very nice Mount Meru Hotel. On our arrival I fell asleep whilst Owen changed the rear shocks on all three MGZR’s. The next day we headed off to a 103 km timed section with 3 timing points. We were 6th fastest although now not pushing to hard over the rough stuff to ensure our shocks lasted. Also we lose out on the long up hills to the more powerful cars. That night we stayed in Dodoma and were great by local dancers and drum band. Owen spent much of the evening helping others fix their cars but luckily ours only needed a spanner check.
Copyright Gerard Brown - Enduro  Rally

Next morning we had another good timed section and gained a place when the Toyota Highlux in front of us roller on a down hill bend. Luckily the crew was unharmed and they rejoined the event that evening having had the truck patched up. Another time section up a very rough hill climb finished the day which again we took easy so as not to damage the car. The hotel that night in Mbeya was without dough the worst of the trip to date. We had a room each but Owen’s bathroom had a hole in the floor where he could see the bathroom on the floor below!! That night there was a storm and the loudest clap of thunder you have ever heard waking everyone at 4 in the morning.
Tanzania - Zambia Border
Copyright Gerard Brown - Enduro  Rally
Sunday was spent heading down to the Zambia border. On our arrival it looked like we could be there for hours with a queue of trucks almost 5km long waiting to cross. But we were all waved up the outside and fast track though in less than an hour. Tanzania was added as to the list of countries that must be revisited at some time nice people and country side. We then had a 350km trek to our over night stop at Mpike. This was like a holiday camp from the sixties. Very basic room just two beds and nothing else not even a carpet but it was on suite. The bath room was like a long corridor with the toilet, shower and basin all in a line ideal for a S**t, Shower and shave. Again there was a great storm over night and it did not stop until late morning.
Copyright Gerard Brown - Enduro  Rally

We covered 660km to get to Lusaka with a short timed section of 17km on very narrow gravel tracks. We cleaned this section along with 5 other crews. Tonight we are in the Intercontinental Hotel and it so nice to have a toilet with a toilet seat again, a bath with a bath plug and a hot tap with hot water.
Now follows a couple of long days with no competitive driving but we should get to see Victoria Falls.
Time for an Imodium.
No question card updates other than Anton’s number 3 question we think we have come up with a grading system…..

4 comments:

  1. Pretty sure I have stayed in the Mount Maru Hotel. Glad you enjoyed Tanzania, it is one of my favourite countries. Hope the imodium is working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sarah

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  2. Ah.........Imodium - the traveller's friend! We were wondering at Brands hatch rally on Sunday what order your exploits will come out in: hardback, paperback, Kindle, DVD. Enjoy the rest of the event.

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  3. A quieter day we hope, enjoy the Falls. One Blogger is visiting Niagara, don't rate his navigator!!

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  4. Tanzania is one of the superb country. I'm glad that you had a good time there, as well as with your stay at the Mount Maru Hotel.


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