Finally finished and heading for home..........

Well we made it to the finish. Sorry for the delay in the update lack of internet and time.

So I left you last as we headed out of Lusaka and a couple of days with no competitive driving. We heading down to Livingstone and arrived early afternoon which gave us time to take the short walk from the hotel to see Victoria Falls. This was an amazing sight to see and one not to be missed. They are much bigger and more powerful than you could ever imaging. The spray for them is like torrential rain and we got soaked to the skin but at least it washed some of the dust out of our clothes. That evening as we ate in the hotel grounds zebras walked around grazing on their lawns.

Next day we headed off to Namibia and the long drive down the Capriva strip. This road just went on and on. We had a minor moment of worry when the alternator packed up but had the spare fitted in no time. But we did get to see an elephant and even had time to take a picture. Nice hotel that evening and some very nice ice cream for pudding.

Next morning we headed off for a very long day of competitive driving the grave roads of Namibia were very smooth and fast. We spent most the day at high altitude the final section of the day started at 3000 ft and climbed to almost 7000 ft. The poor MG struggled for air and the climbs were very slow. After the timed section as we headed in to Windhoek the views were stunning. We stopped to take some pictures and the Belgium crew behind us pulled up and offered us gin and tonic out of there fridge. But we settled for some coke. Sadly the day end on a low when Owen had his wallet and phone stolen at the petrol station.

Copyright Gerard Brown - Enduro Rally

The next day was another long one with many timed sections and tight road sections. By now we had stopped pushing really hard as the gaps in front were too great and were just holding station in 5^th. Not the easiest way to drive as you tend to lose focus. The second test of the day ran up and over the mountains. The descent was unbelievable doing though hairpin after hairpin the corners them selves were cobbled joined by gravel straights. A brief rest at the petrol station with a fine collection of old rusting yank pickups. This was followed by 2 more fast gravel tests before stopping for a very nice ham sandwich in the middle of no where at a nice hotel and petrol station but very little else. We stayed the night in  One more timed section before the run down to Ax Aix for and over night a the hot springs. I’m told the outside pool was very nice and warm with the water from the spring. But I don’t do swimming.

On leaving Ax Aix we had the fastest timed section of the event where we averaged over 90 mph. A short road section took us to the final border crossing and finally into South Africa. Two tight and twisty sections took us to our final over night the second one was a great road along the side of a reservoir. Clan William was our over night where all the crews were scattered though guest houses in the town and the group dinner was in the local bowls club.

And so the final day was here. Two stunning sections in the Ceader Berge Mountains took us to the final run in to Cape Town and the Table Bay Hotel. Just to spice things up we had a puncture on the final section which we changed in less than 2 minutes and we retained 5^th place and the class win.

Copyright Gerard Brown - Enduro Rally

It has been a great adventure with some lows. The sand of Egypt and the road to Marsibit. But some great highs. Leading for the first 10 days, in so doing winning the Kent and Europe cups, Ethiopia, Seeing some great sights like the Victoria Falls and meeting so great people along the way and doing the event.

Thank you to all who have supported before and during the event. All the guys at the Rover Centre. Malcolm for post up pictures. Both our families. Guy Woodcock and Kumho tyres. Philip Young and his team of helpers. Special thanks to Fiona for helping with the blog when I could not get on line and lending me her husband for the month.

We look forward to seeing everyone on our return and will trying not to bore you all with stories of when we went to Cape Town.

Final question card.

Steve Owen

1. No
2. Both are/were the best of their time.
3. That’s why you have 2 hands.

And as for Anton’s question No.3 If you are allow to touch it it’s a good one.