Shocking news that may dampen things..

Well our journey down Ethiopia was beyond believe from the moment we entered the country to moment we left the roads were line with people cheering us on. We did a couple of timed section on gravel tracks which were very corrugated and the MG did not like these. We lost some time here being first on the road clearing it of all the goats and cattle. On joining the main road again the route instruction stated pass Blue Factory. Owen and I tried to decide what a blue factory made could it be cheesy boy bands or porn films or was it where they made the water that fills the Blue Nile just up the road. No sadly it was none of these but a large factory that is paint blue not a clue what it makes. We then descended in to the Blue Nile gorge. The road down to the bottom and up the other side makes the Stevilo pass look tame. We have a slight worry here as we were cutting it very fine on petrol as many of the station only had diesel. We stayed that night in a lovely hotel over looking a lake. Sadly their internet was down.

The next morning we had 350km run to the Kenyan border and they had closed the road for us the whole way. The crowds were beyond belief. We were told by a girl who was out there working for Oxfam that this was the biggest think to happen for over 20 years so everyone was out watching. A very fast timed section took us to the border. We were sad to be leaving Ethiopia and even sadder when we saw what Kenya had to offer. The hotel was grim and no beer for Owen until a local took us to the prison canteen. On route we passed the police station and the chief was stood out front. He called the local guy over to ask where he was taking us. He explain about the beer and the chief of police told him to make sure that he stayed with us and made sure we returned safe to our hotel later. No I did not have any beer my self.

The next day we headed up the road to Marsibite. This road was rougher than a rough thing on a rough day. It started with a 68km timed section and we set off at a good pace but sadly the suspension was not up to the job and by 30km all 4 shocks had blown. We made our way slowly to the end of the section losing some 34 minutes. Here we change all 4 for our spares in just under the hour and made our way slowly to the night halt without any more damage. The night was spent under canvas and was much better than the hotel the night before.

The next morning it was more of the rough stuff but rougher. Again it started with a timed section which we took at a much reduced pace to make our shocks last. Even so after about 45 km the rears had burst again. After 125 km we were at last back on tarmac but with no rear shocks and the rear beam bushes gone the next 400 km in 5 hrs was a drive I will never forget. We just made it to the hotel on the out skirts of Nairobi in time.

The Wednesday was a rest day although not much rest was had as we spend the whole day trying to fix all three MGZRs. Some new shocks had been sent out to us on the Monday and had arrived at Nairobi airport late Tuesday but got stuck in customs. We had not been impressed by Kenya and we were even less so now. We had tracked down some stiffer springs and modified some Toyota shocks to fit the rear of our car. Beam bushes were made from mud flap material and sticaflex and by 11pm all 3 MGZRs were ready for the next day.

So here we are Thursday morning and our route out this morning passed the airport where all our replacement shocks and bushes were still stuck. The morning contained 3 timed sections and our make do and mend suspension seems to have worked. Then a 120 km drive down to the Tanzania border where our new shocks finally caught up with us. Not sorry to leave Kenya behind. Some stunning country side but the population could learn some manners.

This evening will now be spent putting the new suspension on to all three cars.

Lots I’ve missed out but should give you a feel for what’s going on. Currently in 5th spot and leading 2 wheel drive.

And free Wifi that works!!!!!