Cotswolds2Capetown

Day "I don't know any more"

2006-12-12T09:06:00.000Z

Hi C2C fans,

As the guys are painting the Capetown red, we feel we are being deprived of any news. Therefore , I thing we need to start planning the reunion for very early next year.

Please leave some messages to see who might be interested.

It's been fun!

Dutch Rob

Day 69 - Friday 08/12/2006

2006-12-08T10:32:00.000Z

10:30 Friday 08/12/2006

THEY MADE IT

Nick Graham and Nick Clarke have finished their

challenge!!!!!!!!

They have arrived at the Nelson Hotel in CapeTown.

Congratulations !!!!!!

Day 67 - Wednesday 06/12/2006

2006-12-06T15:19:00.000Z

We are on our way.

At the time of writing we are in Plettenberg bay, about 400 miles north of capetown. In the last 2 days we have travelled through Southern Natal, the Transkei, the Ciskei and now into the Eastern Cape. It's really beautiful, but now we can almost see the finishing line we are finding it harder and harder to concentrate. We are going to enter Cape town on Friday lunchtime and officially end the challenge at the Mount Nelson Hotel. They have agreed to put us up for 2 nights and then it's party time!!
The bikes are limping a bit but enjoying some decent petrol!

bye for now nc

Day 62 - Friday 01/12/2006

2006-12-01T13:07:00.000Z

Blazing Saddles!!!

Well almost have finally crossed the final frontier we also managed to get rid of the the Final pannier. Only moments after Nick had got off his bike at Alan & Kathys a strong small of burning came from within the house. Nick realised it was his pannier which had completely melted on the inside where it had been resting against the exhaust pipe. On opening it was still smouldering and had burnt most of his clothes (photos to follow). Anyway we had to get rid of the last pannier somehow but quite a spectacular way to do it.

Todays being spent shopping- Nick for new shorts etc. and I am buying some jeans and a shirt (for those interested Levis 501s only 32 pounds) As for the next challenge you c2c supportes club will just have to wait -!!!!!!!!!!

Nick G

Day 61 - Thursday 30/11/2006

2006-12-01T08:46:00.000Z

28/11/2006
Whizzed through Botswana. Stayed at Elephant Sands Lodge north of Nata and saw wonderful herds of elephant on the way. Then another camp lodge in Palapye about 300km from Sa border. Botswana is bloody hot, and very flat (Dutch Rob, a bit like Holland with altitude!!!) Tomorrow our aim is to get over the border and camp somewhere near Jo'burg. We are getting close - the only danger now is complacency and lack of concentration (both very tired). Saw fantastic sign today "SHEENAS FUNERAL PALLOR"

29/11/2006
In South Africa, staying at Palm Lodge in Rustenburg (in the bar now if you want to phone). This Afrikaanerdom at it's most terrifying - It's very hot.

30/11/2006
Skipped Jo’burg and we are now at Ape's house in Durban. Our last remaining pannier - mine- burst into flames as soon as we pulled in to Ape's drive. Got to go shopping, no clothes left. My godson Tom is taking me - hope he hasn't got expensive taste. A full report on the last few days to follow.
NC (naked in Durban)

Day 55, 56, 57 - Sunday 26/11/2006

2006-11-27T08:55:00.000Z

24/11/2006 (text on my Mobile)
Did you know that beer in Malawi is called Kouche Kouche, fondly known Kouchee Koo. The currency is called Kwachas. A kouchee Koo cost Kwachas. There are 240 Kwachas in a Pound. As you can tell it was time to leave, just crossed the Zambian border. It‘s our 16th country.
NC

26/11/2006 12:45 (text on my Mobile)
We are in Livingston Safari Lodge Victoria Falls. Wonderful. Hopefully Botswana tomorrow.
Best road sign so far, was in Malawi “Silence, Hippos Mating”. How do you react to that?
NC

26/11/2006 17:43
Hot from Vic Falls!! They latest news bought to you from the Bikers.

Well we arrived after a short ride to day from Shona about 120 miles from Livingstone. We managed to find a suitable lodge called Livingstone lodge and have settled here for the night-only to find another resident biker who runs Bike Safari operations. He is looking for guides for future expansion who know bikes and Africa - Nick C and I are considering the options!!!! No only joking we plan to hit Botswana tomorrow crossing the Zambezi by ferry about 80 klics up stream. Apart from that and some good rain all well and Mac in the Bac reat assured we are concentrating still. Nick saw some Eles today coming back from the Falls which was great (am sure pics will come on line soon)

Ok chaps it’s good bye and good night from a hot and humid Victoria Falls.
Nick G

Day 54 - Thursday 23/11/2206

2006-11-24T14:04:00.000Z

Latest from Malawi.

Only 200 miles today. Not feeling too bad - better than last night - now we have discovered heaven!!! Staying at Mayoka Beach Lodge in Nkata. I am staying in a tree house made of wood and bamboo. It's run by two Brits and it is stunning. Don't worry TC, we are ahead of schedule now and will probably make Zambia tomorrow.
At 4.30 today we are gojng out on the lake in a dugout to feed fish and watch eagles. It's a great photo opportunity.

The boys have had a wonderful day today and have decided to stay another day in Malawi. Have met bikers travelling up from Cape Town and are assured that they are well ahead of schedule. No TV, no landlines, hardly any internet access - perfect.

Day 52 (2) - Tuesday 21/11/2006

2006-11-22T08:35:00.000Z

More from Malawi.....

We had a great ride from Tanzania through eucalyptus trees, beautiful mountains in the south and saw lots of real African animals (Jamie). Zebra, Impala, baboons, and monkeys who seem to have taken to playing with the switches on my bike! Such a different Africa to the north. People are wonderful and so friendly with no begging or hassling. I paddled in Lake Malawi today (no swimming because of the Bilharzi larve) and went out on a boat with the fishermen who wanted me to take photos of them mending their nets. Great little lodge tonight.

We met a chap called Irvine McLean in Nairobi who played for Kenya against the Lions in the '50's. His daughter is riding up from Cape Town and just as we pulled into Beach Chamber Motel in Karonga she was also arriving. We had dinner with her - small world.
Tomorrow we ride down the length of the lake and should be in Zambia by Thursday. We have been advised to whiz through Zambia as fast as their poor roads will allow. Then it's the highways of Botswana, the Okovango Delta, Kalahari, Gabaronne and the final border crossing into South Africa.

Day 52 - Tuesday 21/11/2006

2006-11-21T08:26:00.000Z

Message from Nick G on Tuesday 21/11/2006 at 15:09

We have made Malawi !!!!!!!

A long days ride, roads good and we are making up for lost time in Kenya Just parked up by the side of a lake in Karanga. Staying in a motel, with a beach front room, for £3.70 per night B&B. More importantly the beer is only 35p a pint..

***********

Nick C said...

Monday night -
Arrived in Sambala Safari Lodge in Iringa.
We are only about 300 miles from Malawi border. Sounds posh, lovely but very basic & no phones so you can't speak to me tonight. It reminds me a bit of Midnight Express! Big ride today, we did 480 miles. Tanzania is beautiful - top of the African countries so far. Should make Malawi by lunch on Wednesday. Saw horrific coach crash en route - 5 dead and we are now watching it on TZ TV news - not like UK, they show everything. Will email Rob with update when Blaclberry has internet signal again.

***********

I spoke to Nick C. Sunday night and he texted this morning.

The guys stayed in a game reserve last night in a place called Same. I received a text this morning saying they're on the road from Morogoro to Iringa and making great progress. The roads are terrific, however Nick C's bike is coughing and spluttering.

Deirdre

Day 49 - Saturday 18/11/2006

2006-11-18T19:46:00.000Z

WE ARE OFF AGAIN !!

Nick Cs Shock arrived yesterday-thanks Mark at BMW stroud for being so efficient. Anyway customs decided to release it today and BMW Nairobi opened up especially to fix it on this morning. So Nick I went in the pouring rain to collect it-It passed the test so we are off tomorrow.We are both keen to get back in the saddle its been a long time without!
Tonight we are going to the Banda school(Where our Hostess is a teacher-Gogs) where they are having a pub night(also showing the rugby) to raise funds for a Hockey tour next Feb which will be partly around Cheltenham and Minchenhampton.Anyway Nick and I thought we should donate some tusker funds in aid of the good cause. So TZ tomorrow and hopefully a full days ride with no probs at the border which is only about 2 hours ride froom Nairobi.
Not much else to report on. Will be in touch

Nick G
Some confusion about our identities in the blog?? I am the good looking one - with a six pack!!!

Day 47 - Thursday 16/11/2006

2006-11-16T08:38:00.000Z

Stranded in Nairobi!

Well it couldn't happen in a nicer place and it's not my bike that's the delay, as I am sure some of you out there might have been thinking.....Anyway, there is a real problem with Nick's power and also, perhaps even more worrying, was his buggered rear shock . Anyway, as I write this, Nick is back at Marshariki Motors (BMW) test riding it, mainly to see if the power problem has been resolved. So, touch wood, tonight when he gets back, actually when we meet up at Nondies Rugby club later, he will have good news.

Its been a week since we arrived and I think we maybe putting some weight back on, could it be the Tusker intake? We are both itching to get back on the road, realistically that may only be early next week now. We will have to wait and see how long FedEx takes to deliver and then Kenyan Customs clearance......

Well, have to dash, as I have a beer returns run to do to the Karen Dukas, Oh and via the bottle bank! Sorry nothing exciting happening at the Moment.

NG

P.S.
For Anthony: May have you sorted for the Parkands & Kenyan Open next October, suggest you start saving!

Day 46 - Wednesday 15/11/2006

2006-11-15T13:40:00.000Z

Here some background information from the guys, to paint a clearer picture of the last couple of weeks;

Ok I think I'm back in the land of telecommunication! Its been a long time sincethe blackberry was in action, Egypt I think, 3 countries back. The boat fromAswan took 17 hours. We are not talking QE2 here! Arrived in Wadi Halfa aboutmidday. Usual custom hassle, followed by Mick and Rachels bike packing up almostimmediately. They took the train to Kartoum. We headed off to the desert. Ngfell in the soft sand. No harm. I fell 30 minutes later. Cut elbow, hurt shoulderbit of damage this only an hour in the Sudan! Limped 50 km further on. Camped inthe desert saw a wolf and a great sunset. I have a pet fly! We rode continuouslyfor three more days very little food but plenty of water. Camped on the banks ofNile when posible. It’s like the moons surface but yellow and black. Rode through market villages on the Nile. Crossed the Nile on a little ferry together with 2 cows! Arrived in Dongola and registered with police. Is there any tarmac in this country? The Sudanese people are warm, friendly, colourful and very hospitable. They are also very poor. More to come over weekend…….

"Another couple of days of sand and camping in the desert. Only things to eat are oranges that look and taste like lemons. The maps we have are very inaccurate which is frustrating. Made it to Khartoum but missed Mick at our rendevous. Apparently his bike is still kaput.

We saw the Blue Nile and White Nile convergence which was very impressive. Headed south to Gedaref and the Ethiopian border. On the way out of Gedaref the police stopped us and escorted us to immigration. There, a character very similar looking to Idi Amin told us we had not registered within the 3 day period and the punishment was a fine of 32000 Sudanese Dinar or 80 dollars each. Rather than kill him which was my first choice we paid and left 4 hours later. Made the border and crossed into Ethiopia, nearly. Immigration held us for 24 hours because our names were too similar! Into Ethiopia and green. Scenery lush hair pin bends tarmac heaven. Following Blue Nile to Bahir Dar around lake Tana. Camped over night and made it to Addis Ababa the following day. Two days riding south on tarmac and we crossed the border at Moyale into Kenya. More to come."

My Blackberry is playing up again or the signal is anyway, so am handwriting this and asking Andrew if he would kindly email or scan it to you . It should be the Blog from Moyale down to Nairobi and if I get time a mention of the trip to Karangi Kiana School.

Stayed overnight at the Moyale Police Station , the only place to camp and also the only place that sold Tusker . Left early in the morning as usual and got off to a good 50 mile start. The rest of the day took 10 hours of gruelling bike riding over very inhospitable territory. A barren wasteland that looks like the surface of Mars. Bit more damage to the bike , but not too bad . Saw Baboon and lots of wonderful birdlife. Arrived in Marsabit and stayed in the JeyJey hotel , not owned by Mr. Williams though ! Overnight the heavens opened, torrential rain meant that we could go no further on bikes . We hired a cattle truck and drove across flooded roads to Isiolo , not a place to holiday. The bikes were very roughly tied to the sides of the cattle truck and unbeknown to us this caused damage to my fuel injection pipes. Un-rideable , but limped to Nyeri and hired a bakki to Nairobi with my bike on the back . Straight to BMW service garage and hope for the best . Met Nick and Andrew Jones " our man in Africa" at the Nairobi Safari Club Hotel for a pint and a bit of R. and R. Forgot to mention that the bakki had a puncture on the way down , no jack or spare so a relatively short trip actually took 4and a half hours !!!! That's Africa, I guess !!!!.

The Karangi Kiana School, Thika , twinned with Rodmarton Primary School .
The Karangi Kiana Primary School is not easy to find ! Our man in Africa , Andrew Jones , a friend of many years , has agreed to drive me up there from Nairobi to deliver the children’s letters from Rodmarton Primary School, now somewhat tatty but intact and legible. You all may be thinking " get on your bike Mate !" but I can't its poorly and being fixed.
40 Km north of Nairobi lies Thika an area renowned for its Tea and Coffee plantations [also pineapples ASJ], and beautiful they are too. The school, not just around the corner, is another 40 Km into the hills across rough terrain but beautiful scenery .Eventually we found the school nestled in a steep sided valley surrounded by tea and coffee. Water is supplied from the Kiana river which flows through the grounds. There is no electricity, the school has 350 pupils including a nursery with 40 pupils, mostly orphans. 11 teachers are employed here, 3 are voluntary. The children, who were beautifully polite, were bedecked in lovely maroon uniforms. Received warmly and enthusiastically, I did a little speech to one class whilst Andrew drew a map of the bike ride. They clapped and cheered, although some looked terrified at the sight of a huge white man in bike gear with a striped beard! They were not expecting me until February. Letters from the children will be sent to Andrew in Nairobi, who will kindly then forward them to me in UK. Thank you, again, Andrew. We left after joining the teachers for lunch and were waved off by all the pupils. The whole exercise was a very humbling and emotional experience for me and I am determined to help this school to the best of my ability on returning to the UK. Thanks, again, to Andrew Jones for enabling this day to happen, it has certainly been one of the most rewarding of the trip. P.S. I couldn't take photos, it was torrential rain when we left, however Andrew had agreed to return with a video camera and forward the film to us.

So , that's the official bit , the guys may have to stay in Nairobi for a few more days whilst a new rear shock is being DHL'd from wherever, unfortunately we are having lots of rain at the moment so they haven't even been on the golf course, yet !!
Andrew

Day 44 - Monday 13/11/2006

2006-11-13T11:21:00.000Z

Nick G direct from Nairobi keeping you abreast of all the action!!!???

We have now been in Nairobi 4 days and it has poured with rain everyday. Nick C and I have left the 5 star Naroim Safari Club and are now staying with Gogs and Kabuti who were great old friends of mine and insist that we try to eat and drink them out of House and Home. I think I am winning on the booze front and Nick's certainly getting his appetitie back. Gogs and Kabuti have just built a lovely new home in Langata which is very near to the Ngong and for those that don't know where Karen Blixen heralds from -"I had a farm in Africa". Nick and I managed a number of beers on her old coffee estate yesterday (Sunday) which is now the Karen Country Club - infact I was main Board Director when I used to live in Kenya.
Today we have taken the bikes into BMW for mine to serviced and Nick C's to be completed as there seem to be a few minor problems with his - nothing that will delay (shame). Obviously I can't wait to get back into the saddle so to speak and more importantly set up my little tent at the side of the road again.......!!!!!!!
No hopefuly we should be off to morrow for Nmanga (Tanzaneen border) only about 2 and bit hours away.

Well thats just about all for now so its goodbye from Nick G -Keeping you in the news up to date!

A quick P.S. to Ant & Wills
Got you a small present in Nairobi market - so obviousy its cheap so don't get too excited.....
Robs I haven't forgotten you either....

Day 41 - Friday 10/11/2006

2006-11-10T17:09:00.000Z

Nairobi

Well fellow campers, ( I still can't stand camping & never will) we have made it to Nairobi. Nicks Cs Bike has been to Hospital and is now much better and infact looking like new. Mine goes in on Monday for its service and wash (I could do with one too). We are now chilling at the Nairobi Safari Club in downtown Narobi.

Last night we went out to the Nondies Rugby Club and obviously had far to many beers, well I did anyway, and also confess to a few whiskies. Gone are the days of Pepsi Cola addiction, it was a close call at times. Hand on heart I can say it wont happen again!

As for the trip so far, to be honest and I think the other Nick would agree, Sudan was a real challenge, mentally and physically. Ethiopia and Northern Kenya were also hardships. At this point I would ask none of you to mention the word sand when you next meet up with Nick as he just seems to fall over at the mention of the word!! No seriously we had a lot probs with all types of terraine.

Well, not sure what day we are leaving Kenya but probably Tuesday next.

For now Cheers to all and thanks for watching this space.

Nick G

Day 38 and 39 - Tuesday 07/11/2006 and Wednesday 08/11/2006

2006-11-09T08:22:00.000Z

Tuesday:
Marsabit - today there was lots of wildlife to see - baboons, hornbills, parrots, gazelle and camels. Fell off the bikes 3 times but we are OK.

Wednesday :
Arrived in Isiolo after a nightmare day, but we are both OK and really looking forward to Nairobi tomorrow, we hope!

Day 37 - Monday 06/11/2006

2006-11-07T08:23:00.000Z

Backtracking a bit with a more detailed account of the last few days.

Sudan:
We were detained by the police due to incorrect immigration procedures. We were held for hours in little more than a cell with no water to drink. The chief looked remarkably like Idi Amin and his attitude was not much different. Finally we were let go but only after parting with $80 each!!
The roads and the desert were gruelling. When we reached Ethiopia we were made to wait 27 hours. We were forced to stay in a local "hotel", which was worse than a filthy toilet. I started feeling ill and got worse as time went on. I had had enough and threatened to report them to the British Embassy. Strangely, within two hours our passports were stamped and we were allowed to carry on.
By the time we arrived in Addis Ababa we were both ready for a rest. The last couple of week have been tough going. Not just the physical aspect, which we had expected and prepared for, but the constant begging and poverty was overwhelming, and very disheartening. It certainly made me feel guilty about staying in the Sheraton for a night although I was very grateful to our benefactor.

It was great to speak for such a long time to Deirdre, Tom, Jamie & Eleanor on Saturday at the hotel. I had just had the most fantastic Ethiopian dinner in a "locals" restaurant and a refreshing cold beer, so I was relaxed and ready to catch up on all the news. Well done Jamie on winning your cross country race and to Eleanor for doing so well in your race. Congratulation overall to Rodmarton. The Blues beat Edinburgh, Wales held the Aussies to a thrilling draw and just the Bluebirds let me down. Good luck to Cirencester U13's on Sunday - still playing flanker Tom? Your letter keeps me going when the going gets tough.

Back to earth with a bang, Sunday morning and onward to the Kenyan border. The teritory from Wadi Halfa in Sudan as far as Nairobi is very hostile in places and the roads are virtually non-existant

We are now camping in the safety of a police compound just inside the Kenyan border at Moyale. We are heading for Marsabit at 7.a.m. Tuesday and aiming for a long late lunch Nairobi on Thursday. NG spoke to Andrew Jones tonight in Nairobi and he assures us the beers will be cold and the pool warm!! Maybe a few days rest there and get the bikes ready for the long push to Cape Town. Still got Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and finally South Africa to go.

HI TO EVERYONE AT RODMARTON SCHOOL. I hope to visit Thika on Friday with your letters. I will take some photos there of your friends and try to post them on the website.

We are now half way through our estimated 10 week journey but Cape Town still seem a very very long way off. Keep the blogs coming.

Bye for Now
Two Scary Bikers

Day 32 - Wednesday 01/11/2006

2006-11-02T07:48:00.000Z

We are in ETHIOPIA!
We were detained by the authorities in Sudan. They said we hadn't registered with immigration but we knew we had. The immigration folk had omitted to stamp our documents but we couldn't convince the police. We avoided being locked up by the skin of our teeth and were fined thousands of Sudanese monies - about $18. Fitted nicely into someone's back pocket I'm sure.
Unfortunately missed Mick and Rachel in Khartoum. We took a bearing and headed into the unknown towards Ethiopia. What a ride! The roads slowly improved and now consist of a little tarmac, some sand and lots of mud!
We reached the border and went through the usual immigration procedures only to be told we had been denied entry! What was the bloody problem now? WE BOTH HAD THE SAME NAME!!!!!! Nicholas Robert, maybe, but they didn't know where to put Clarke & Graham. (Not the first time they ever heard that - anon.) Never mind, they said they would sort it out in the morning. We are now sitting with a cold beer or three watching Man U. v FC Copenhagen! Alls not lost.

Nick x 2

PS
Pictures of the first legs of the trip (Cotswolds 2 Cairo) on the Website later today.
Dutch Rob.

Day 30 - Monday 30/10/2006

2006-10-31T08:48:00.000Z

Well another night under the stars in Sudan. Last night (Sunday) we treated ourselves to a hotel bed for the night in Dongola. USD5, corrugated roof with air conditioning and a view of the night sky, luxury bidet dug out in the floor and lots of other strange little occupants sharing our cell. We hit tarmac - not literally you will be glad to hear - and we believe it is tarmac all the way to Khartoum. Tonight (Monday) our cosy tents again. NG's interior lighting is attracting some little visitors. I have just cooked a delicious meal of reconstituted pasta carabonara and am eating it while watching the fantastic African night sky and looking out for snakes. Almost takes me back to the old days on the game reserve in Zululand. About 150 miles tomorrow heading south and we should arrive in Khartoum.

Mick if you read this, meet us in the Meridien about midday.

Day 28 - Saturday 28/10/2006

2006-10-30T08:27:00.000Z

Camping again in the desert. Tonight in an oasis on the banks of the Nile surrounded by snakes, wolves and very scary spiders!! NC watch out!. Lit a big camp fire which just went out while they were on the sat phone. (Reception by the way is great). Can't tell how comfy the tents and sleeping mats are. The boys are so knackered each night that they just crash out.
Correction from yesterday they are not 200km from Khartoum, they are actually now about 100km from Dongola and won't reach Khartoum for about another three to four days.
They have been reliably informed that the roads from Dongola are tarmac - we will wait and see. NC came off again today and keeps falling on the same shoulder. The bikes are ok and will certainly make Cape Town. The riders, however, may struggle. No food today but will cook "something" tomorrow. The Sudanese people are fantastic, very helpful and very friendly.
NG has been safeguarding a message for NC since the start of the trip. He gave him a letter and photos today which his children had written before the trip to be given to him when he was "a long way from home" and to "help him along the way"
Well done NG. Good timing.

If the signal and the battery holds our then wait for another report tomorrow. Nite Nite!

Remember Mick, the Scottish biker?… he has a blog as well. Have a look…http://mickrtw.blogspot.com/

Day 27 - Friday 27/10/2006

2006-10-28T09:38:00.000+01:00

Message from Dee:

Nick c. just phoned from the Sat phone (Friday night 19:45)

They had a fantastic trip up the Nile, long, noisy but fantastic. Not much hassle crossing the border. Lovely night skies.

Then it all happened;

The "roads" or lack of them were worse than they ever imagined. The going is extremely tough. They have both come off their bikes several times. Nick G lost his water container so they were very short of water and had to camp in the desert to the sound of wolves. Damage to both bikes and riders. There is nothing life threatening and the bikes are still going. Nick C managed to fix a brake fluid leak. Nick G's indicator is broken and both have structural damage to the bikes. Although the going is slow they will do their utmost to get to Khartoum tomorrow (Saturday) Nick G has hurt his back and Nick C his shoulder and both have a few bruises here and there but they will soldier on! They are only 150km from Wadi Halfa and more than 200 from Khartoum in a place called Atbarah and have already spent two nights in the desert in Sudan. Slow, slow progress!

Day 24 - Tuesday 24/10/2006

2006-10-26T09:28:00.000+01:00

Well, our final day in Aswan nearly over. Nick C, Mick and Rachel went climbing sand dunes and looking at temples while I had a quiet morning ending up at the Old Cateract Hotel (Death on the Nile hotel) and decided to splash out on lunch. We have just finished checking the Bikes fuel, oil etc ready for tomorrow. Apparently we have to be at the port by 10am which is a bout 15kms away. I would imagine we then wait for hours while the paper work is completed to get us and the bikes out of Egypt.

We are both now looking forward to next part although contact maybe sporadic until we get to Khartoum. Not a lot else happening.
Why aren’t my children writing Blogs????

Anyway, we will be in touch.

Cheers Nick G

More.....

Aswan is getting very frustrating. Everyone is a bit tetchy hanging about with nothing to do. The bike plates are gone so we can't ride very far. The hotel management decided to drain the swimming pool and we think they are fed up of us too. NC tried to do some sketching and painting but the hassles from the locals is becoming a real nuisance. We rode the bikes along the Corniche - T-shirts & shorts, wind in our combined lack of hair but can you believe it, even on the bikes the Fellucca owners were jumping out in front of us trying to sell us boat trips. Shame they weren't going to Sudan! We have a very long day ahead of us on Wednesday. Got to be at the port by 10.a.m. even though the boat doesn't leave until "late in the afternoon" - whatever that means. Then it's farewell to Egypt at last and after a 17 hour boat trip it's hello Sudan and whatever that might bring. Inshallah! We will be in touch whenever signal allows. Thanks to everyone for all your support. Keep the comments rolling in. We will read them whenever we can. Probably next time in Khartoum.

Bye Bye for now

Two Scarey Bikers & friends

Day 23 - Monday 23/10/2006

2006-10-24T10:18:00.000+01:00

The guys are still in Aswan waiting for the boat to Sudan. No update from them on Monday.

More, as soon as they email us.

Dutch Rob

Day 22 - Sunday 22/10/2006

2006-10-23T10:31:00.000+01:00

More Sunday 22/10/2006

Tales from the riverbank.
We are still here with our travelling pals, a Kiwi called Rachel and Mick the scot. Most of the tar is set now and looks very fetching! Yesterday we achieved buying our pasenger ferry tickets for the Sudan,the boat leaves on Wednesdays. The barge which takes the bikes separately does not go at all now. It´s on holiday like the rest of Egypt! However, we have been told we can put the bikes on the passenger ferry! Hmmm. Anyway to get our tickets we had to de-licence, de-register, dellice, de-everything, but we’ve got them, it’s just a long wait. This am I checked the bikes, only to find my airhawk saddle has been stolen! Spent the morning at the local police station, you can imagine, big wobbly fan, flies, no ingleeesch spoken. Anyway, by lunchtime I'd signed a statement to say I'd probably stolen it myself and that no one else was to blame! I'm off to steal a beer!

Bfn. Nc

Day 21 and 22 - Saturday 21/10/2006 and Sunday 22/10/2006

2006-10-22T09:56:00.000+01:00

Saturday 21st
Hi it´s been a strange day. We have tickets for ourselves but not for the
bikes. Hopefully we can get the bikes on the pasenger ferry. The boat leaves on Wednesday so we are a bit bored and depressed. All a muddle because of Ramadan and Eid. Come on u blueaza. I will email a bit later. Bfn
NC

Sunday 22nd
Just checked the bikes to have discovered my Airhawk saddle has been
stolen! Not a good start to the day.

Day 20 - Friday 20/10/2006

2006-10-21T10:50:00.000+01:00

The guys are staying in Aswan for a few days, waiting to catch a boat.
I have not received any text or emails so far, so not possible to update the site yet.
Stay tuned, more to come.

Dutch Rob

Day 19 - Thursday 19/10/2006

2006-10-20T08:39:00.000+01:00

Ok here's today’s (Thursday) story.
We had to wait for a convoy at Luxor. We finally left at 11 am. No problems and quite fast and good roads. Yet more dramatic scenery. The police seemed strangely nervous, should have known! Half way there the police decided to let us go on alone. Hmmm????? Had a great ride until 1 km outside Aswan where someone had decided to resurface the road. Great, except all they had done was pour molten tar, about 2 inches deep, all over the road. We lasted about 2km. I slid and fell, looked back to get NG to help pick up the bike only to see him sprawled in the tarmac. No damage to bikes I hope. We limped to a garage and cleaned up the bikes but we are black with tar! (Off road skills boys, how do u stay on in wet tar?) Anyway, we are camping on the banks of the Nile at Aswan. Somewhat lacking in amenities, ie absolutely nothing, but we have cooked pasta built a fire and had coffee. The Nile is literally 10 metres away. A huge water-rat has just scurried by, I’ll sleep with the tent shut tonight?

Bye for now.

NC

Day 18 - Wednesday 18/10/2006

2006-10-18T15:46:00.000+01:00

2 poorly bikers.

Having arrived last night after a long but great day's ride checked into Hotel Mercure. I (NC) pulled the Accor card - I used to work for them and we were duly given a room at GREATLY discounted rate.
Managed to eat a bit of chicken last light and was feeling good. Nick G's foot was getting worse. He blames the all the Fanta for his onset of gout!
This morning (Wednesday) NG can't move - his tablets are somewhere on the motorway outside Paris! My dickie tummy is back so it might be a long day in Luxor. I am sure tomorrow will bring better things.

Wednesday afternoon:
Ng can't walk yet, but I went to Karnak with my legs crossed! (not quite recovered) Fabulous! It’s evening now both feeling slightly better.

Hi guys, we’re out and just had a mad ride on a Galesh that's a horse and cart through the back streets Luxor, great fun.

Hello again, I've just got to tell you, we are in a Chinese restaurant in Egypt, the spelling mistakes are so funny! E.G. it’s called the spirt of china!!
Wish us luck. We ride to Aswan tomorrow, should be exiting.

Day 16 and 17 - Monday 16/10/2006 and Tuesday 17/10/2006

2006-10-18T08:02:00.000+01:00

A little more back ground from Monday. They spent the day catching up with laundry and site seeing with a bit of chilling by the pool and taking advantage of Martins hospitality. Nick C had a bit of a dickie tummy, so it was a good job they weren’t going anywhere. They left early Tuesday morning about 9ish,should have been 7.30am with a guy they had met who was a lone rider called Mick from Scotland but he had an old bike, the boys could see no reason for him not to tag along... as long as he could keep up..., but he broke down after 100 miles....(.I don’t know all the in's and out's about this guy.... may be more will come in future e-mails) they carried on without him to arrive in Luxor early evening after dark, having managed to dodge all the convoys along the way, thus completing the longest days travelling, of over 480 miles!!!!! They are both well and looking forward to the end of Ramadan...

Vanessa, On behalf of Nick G.

We’ve had a long day today at least 8 hrs solid riding, almost exactly 500 miles! We took the Red Sea coastal road, more miles but avoiding convoys. It was fabulous, Red sea on one side, mountains and desert on the other all the way to Hurghada. At Safaga we turned inland and crossed the eastern desert , stunning mountain passes great sunset great ride a long the Nile to Luxor. This really is a visually stunning country. Great roads all the way, Peage only 50p. Petrol about 17p a litre! I feel a lot better today even managed a good meal. Love to everybody.

NC

Day 15 - Sunday 15/10/2006

2006-10-16T08:23:00.000+01:00

Thought for the day.
As I was sitting on a rock next to the great Pyramid and I thought of Professor Tony Oakhill. The medical profession I am sure, has lost a great man. We have lost a friend. We will miss you Tony, but we will never forget you.
NC

All change. It seems the only way at moment to go to Luxor is via Helgado on red sea coast and cut back in. Bloody nuisance, but when advice comes, listen and react.
More info tomorrow.
NC.

Day 14 and 15 - Saturday 14/10/2006 Sunday 15/10/2006

2006-10-15T13:15:00.000+01:00

Well we have just been to the Sudanease Embassy in Cairo and reapplied for the visas again (The ones that were issued in UK just after we had left). They have said that we can go back later today to collect them which sounds promising. We are staying with a friend called Martin in Maadi who has been extremely kind in helping our quest. I have just left Nick up by the Pyramids in Giza where he is going to take some pictures and have a look around, while i decided it time to catch up on some emails and also read the blog.
We arrived in Cairo yesterday lunchtime and made our way to the rugby club where we spent the rest of the day having a couple of beers and watching the Currie cup final. All in all it was a chill out day apart from a couple hundred miles in the morning. Our plan, visa permitting, is to have a day rest tomorrow and then head on south on tuesday, so hopefully we should be catching the ferry accross the border into sudan by the end of the week (all things being equal). Inshala!
Oh yes, riding a bike around Cairo must rate as an extreme fun thing to do, Nick and I did it yesterday and had a ball - no rules, no nothing just go for it!!
Ok well that's all from me at present.

Thanks for your support out there.
Nick G.

Day 13 - Friday 13/10/2006

2006-10-14T09:58:00.000+01:00

Ok its all change.
Nick G. met a guy in a shop who has contacts in the Egyptian army, as a result we are staying in an army R&R chalet right on the beach on the Gulf of Suez. Fantastic, except still no beer. This morning I was swimming in the gulf of aqabar. Today we crosed the Sinai, really stunning. We drove through biggest oasis I have ever seen tomorrow (Saturday) we drive under the Suez canal and make a push for Cairo. Montgomerey move over. Telll the little ones I am looking up at the stars, so if they do the same they might catch my reflection. Jamie the animal of the day is the camel they are everywhere. I forgot to tell u yesterday between Petra and a Aqabar there is towncalled Wadi Rum. This was where T.E. Lawrence lived. Nearby is a rock formation called the seven pillars of wisdom.

Bye for now, miss u all, be strong.

Day 12 - Thursday 12/10/2006

2006-10-13T08:34:00.000+01:00

Hi all,
Had a great am in Petra. We hired a guide, fascinating stuff lots of fotos to come. It was so hot and we were so tired, that we hired horses to take us back to our bikes. I rode unaided, honest it was a wild Arabian stallion. More like a cross between a donkey and a pony but I managed to stay on. Southern jordan is very dramatic, mountains, desert, camels, sandstorms, but no beer!We are stuck in Aqaba port. It's 5 pm and the ferry to egypt should leave at 9 pm. We will arrive at about 1 am. Not only is it ramadan but the guys are going to mecca or coming back from mecca or just meccaring about. Things could get a little noisy I think. The sun is just setting over the gulf of Aqaba which mean everyone will start eating now.

Bye for now.

Very early Friday morning update (02:30 am)
ARRIVED AFRICA!!!!!!! 13 HOURS TO DO A 3 AND A HALF MILE CROSSING..... IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK!!!! (Extract from Nick G's diary) ... ALMOST 3 DAYS WITHOUT BEER...SITUATION ALMOST AT CRISIS POINT!! I'VE HAD 5 FANTA'S TODAY!!! WORRIED I MIGHT BE ADDICTED!!! LOL...... NICK G.

Day 11 - Wednesday 11/10/2006

2006-10-12T09:32:00.000+01:00

We crossed the Jordanian border at lunchtime today (Wednesday 11/10/2006). It took an hour and a half and lots of money, but we are in jordan. We tried to get as far as possible, but got snared up in huge traffic in Amman, where some idiot bumped in to NC pannier. No real damage, just a few scratches.
We rode south across vast desert, saw some camels and a beautiful sunset. We rode in the dark for what seemed like hours and ended up in Ma’an near Petra about one hundred kilometres from Aqabar on the coast.

We are staying in a total dive. The previous occupants were sheep. They obviously stayed for at least three years. Anyway, it’s Petra tomorrow, very exciting. It is sweltering during the day we could do with some rain J
Hi to everybody

Nick & Nick

Day 10 - Tuesday 10/10/2006

2006-10-11T12:57:00.000+01:00

We sneaked through the Syrian border which took 2.5hours. People very friendly but the bayonets are abit daunting. No petrol on sale on the roadside. Northern Syria was not very nice, but as we dropped down into Damascus and the desert, it was lovely. That took over 4 hours. Nowhere safe to camp yet. Staying in a grotty 10 dollars a night dump with lots of biting things in the room. Clarkey's eye still swollen & NG dropped his compact camera and smashed it to bits. Taking tomorrow morning to look around Damascus.

Hi NIck G Here.
Have just Managed to get an hour on the net while Nick C is wandering around the Old town in Damascus . We had a good day today although short on the miles probably around 250 only but with a border crossing. This was pretty uneventful really but took just over two hours. I dropped my digital camera today and smashed the screen so any bloggers out there who wish to sponsor a new one let me know soon.....We plan to leave lunchtime tomorrow and head south to the Jordan border, only baout 120kms away so shouldnt take long. My tooth seems to be ok for now and NIcks eye is smarting still so we will try and do something about that before we leave.

A quick note to my Children-thanks guys for your support, missing you loads.
Oh I am actually enjoying the Biking loads, great scenary and now good weather. Oh yes beard growing quite well and not red yet or grey!!
Take care love you
DAD xxx

Day 9 - Monday 09/10/2006

2006-10-10T08:45:00.000+01:00

Well, Seems like they had a great day. Nick says it was their best one yet. They decided to head south and make a dash for the Syrian border. But they were both tired and it had started to get dark. Nick C got some large flying thingin his eye - sore but no damage done. He has also got a large cut on his nose!!. No they haven't punched each other!! They started at Konya and headed south to Karaman and on to Mut - yes Mut!. They went through fabulous valleys with breathtaking scenery and on to Fillifkea little town on the Med. Then the coast road in a howling gale to Merfin then Adana and are now in Antakyan about 30km from the Syrian border. The people are lovely and very helpful but the town itself is just and industrial area and a holding bay for big trucks waiting to cross into Syria. Tomorrow Syria. Then Jordan. Africa is in sight at last! Good luck at the border.

Dee

Message from Nick C.:

Last night we were in Konya tonight we are in Antakya very near the Syrian border just had a great days riding through mountain passes across sun scorched plains and the mediterranean coastline thirty five degrees its hot. I hurt my eye today,so had to stop ok now photos tomorrow or next day.
PS we passed three thousand miles today.
Miss u all nc

Day 8 - Sunday 08/10/2006

2006-10-09T11:31:00.000+01:00

We are in Konya (Turkey) tonight. We are trying to get to Cappodoccia tomorrow if possible. I have just eaten 2 donuts and reception have just sent up some beers. This town is quite strictly Muslim but very helpful and kind people I just hope our bikes are still there in the morning, they are parked on the pavement.

Nick C.

Day 7 - Saturday 07/10/2006

2006-10-08T11:53:00.000+01:00

Hard ride today, but finally some sun. We crossed the Bosporus late afternoon in to Asia at last. We had a difficult border crossing, it took 2 hours. Then another hour or two getting through Istanbul. We are staying in Izmet an industrial coastal town. Love to you all.

Nick and Nick

Day 6 - Friday 06/10/2006

2006-10-07T09:45:00.000+01:00

Hungary was a barren wasteland. Serbia & Montenegro a bomb site. On the way we spotted a dead black bear. Friday on the ride to Bulgaria we saw two eagles (wildlife is my thing – at least one of them). The journey is turning out to be much harder than we expected but we are enjoying it. We’re heading in to much hotter weather from about Saturday (07/10) when we should be in Turkey. We are making good progress. I think all the gym training is proving to be worth it.

Nick C.

Day 5 - Thursday 05/10/2006

2006-10-06T08:22:00.000+01:00

After losing a filling on the way to Budapest Hungry, had to wait for dentist to open and have a root canel done before setting off for Serbia, please God no rain. It wasn't to be. It rained the whole way, what ajoy.We arrived in Belgrade safely but yet again wet. Our clothes are startng to smell a little and it won't be to long before they can stand up in the corner on there own at night. We are staying at an appalling hotel (we dont like Serbia). BUT on a possitive note beer is only 60p a pint.
Africa here we come, warmer and drier weather.

Nick G.

Day 4 - Wednesday 04/10/2006

2006-10-05T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well Nick and I have made it as far as Budapest. We arrvied last night and were very kindly given a room for the night at the art'otel on the banks of the river danube. This was all arranged by Joe who works for the same Hotel group back in UK.
What can I say, the weather has been absolutely terrible although yesterday was the first day without rain.We now head south from here on end so hopefully it will get warmer as we progress.The bikes seem to be going very well and the only issues are who can snore the loudest at night...not sure of the answer for that one.
Have to go as there is a queue for the hotel computer.
Cheers
Nick G

Day 3 - Tuesday 01/10/2006

2006-10-04T08:30:00.000+01:00

Still raining. Arrived in Salzburg Austria

Day 2 - Monday 02/10/2006

2006-10-03T08:08:00.000+01:00

Wow! What a day! They are only in Strasbourg 100k's out of Paris.
Near Reims NickG lost one of his panniers - on the motorway! Motorway closed. Police summoned. Pannier smashed to bits, lost all the medical kit, sat-phone charger & video charger! Gendarme took great delight in returning some stockings to NickG (to be used later for filtering petrol).
Hurricane force winds, torrential rain. They had to slow down to 40mph. Not a good second day. Cold, wet and miserable. But after a warm bath in a grotty hotel neither of them are ready to throw in the towel.

Day 1 - Sunday 01/10/2006

2006-10-02T08:47:00.000+01:00

After an emotional breakfast at the Tunnel, Nick and Nick finally hit the road at exactly 10:00 on Sunday morning the 1st of October.
Gales, horizontal rain, and seasickness couldn't prevent them from going to the Pub as soon as they had checked in to their hotel in Paris.

Dutch Rob