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30th august - 7th september

Overlanding across Afica in our Land Rover Defender: Sudan

Andy Lees
2006-05-14 17:59:50

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now we just had to get it off.

from hand gestures we gathered that the pontoon was to be taken to the dock that we had just come from. in the heat of the sudanese sun this back and forth was becoming tiresome, especially as we had already assessed that it would not be possible to get the car off due to the water level being somewhat lower than the dock. the pontoon moored and we saw that we were right. there was no chance of driving it off. we were also becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of concern as to our predicament. one (not so) helpful official explained that the water would rise 1 cm a day - so one month.

it transpired that the pontoon would indeed have to be unloaded from the other dock. although that wasn't possible either, as they were still searching for the body of the unfortunate drownee. by 2.00pm we were tired of waiting so returned to the officer in charge who finally gave the order and it was back to the other dock. carefully, andy reversed the car onto a second ferry - to a round of applause - that then deposited man and vehicle on to the dock. feeling elated we left the port for the last time and spent what was left of the day trying out the chinese hand pump purchased in aswan. it appeared to work.

wadi halfa to delgo - 2nd september

we were up at first light to start our adventure across the nubian desert. equipped with our gps waypoints, maps and good fortune we headed south down the nile. the drive was beautiful. the road wound over low hills. rows of jagged slates pierced the sand beside the track. here and there the nile slinked alongside us, on the far bank dunes piled against dark rocks, the sand glowing with an apricot sheen.

just south of wadi halfa we passed a japanese guy attempting the route by bicycle - it seemed difficult enough with a turbo diesel. we drove the whole day stopping only to share smiles with some local school children and then again ...