Affric 2 Africa

Banged into Angus in Cannich shop found out he got home Thursday! So at last the great adventure has come to an end. Rumour has it that Paul & Angus are buying drinks at the Affric Bar on Sunday night! Look forward to hearing their stories. Heard from Jenny that money is still coming in so keep up the good work folks.

Angus is heading to France via Switzerland where he will get a ferry from Calais and all going to plan he will be in the UK tomorrow (Tuesday).

Paul arrived home late Friday night four weeks and a day after setting out. As expected he did the ‘hop’ from Aylesbury in one day. Obviously very tired – he’s still in bed 2pm Saturday! What about the garden and DIY jobs that have been waiting Paul??
Expect Angus back within couple of days – from what Mairi has posted seems to have gone for a quick look round Italy as well as the Alps.
Hopefully there will be a end of trip ‘refreshment’ session end of next week.
Many thanks to everyone for their messages of support – keep them coming and don’t forget there’s still time to donate.

Paul arrived in Dover yesterday evening, he’d actually managed to get to Calais around 4pm and got on an earlier ferry than he had planned. Was staying with friends in Aylesbury last night and I imagine he will set off for home this morning.
Meanwhile from bits and pieces of info gathered in the Affric Bar, Angus is apparently in the Alps for a day or two before heading home. Anybody receives messages from Angus please post under comments or e-mail the website.

Latest from Paul is that he is pushing on at a cracking pace while Angus will make a more leisurely return. They will both return via Calais as per original plan – not Bilbao as I suggested in an earlier post – this was only a possible alternative due to the ash cloud problem.
Paul rode about 1350km on Wednesday and will need to make up around another 1000km to catch his ferry for Dover tonight (Thursday). Hopefully this will get him home within the target time set at the beginning of the trip.
If anyone picks up any messages from Angus please pass them on as we want to keep track of his whereabouts!

Picture taken in a bar in Malaga – now it is starting to look like a holiday!

Short update from the guys – they left Morocco yesterday arriving in Spain where they headed for Malaga hopefully to get the off road tyres changed before recommencing journey home. The volcanic ash cloud however might give them a bit of a problem.
Due to the airlines being more or less grounded for the past week, ferries are becoming over subscribed so at moment we don’t know the score regarding returning from Bilbao to Portsmouth.
The possibility of returning via France and the Channel has been mentioned as it might be easier to catch a ferry on this route. Watch this space!

Angus & Paul met Mohamed and Mohamed this morning, both of whom they had met earlier in the trip, and had tea with them. Later went to the BMW Dealer in Casablanca for some much needed servicing and had oil and filters changed on both the bikes. Angus’ bike was leaking oil from the rocker gasket so this was replaced under warranty. Problem caused due to the rubber hardening as a result of the extreme temperatures during the trip.

Spent most of the day there. Unfortunately unable to get tyres changed so after heading for Spain tomorrow (Tuesday) will find someone there to change them.

Now the guys are back in Casablanca a trip to the garage first thing Monday to get the road tyres back on and have a change of oil/oil filters.

Sunday and the boys are in Casablanca. Great place for a night out. Quick visit to the local night spots for a bit of relax after 3+ weeks on the road. Found a great place – ‘ Rick’s Café Américain.’ Met a really nice couple – Humphrey (the owner, Bogey to his regulars) and Ingrid.

I don’t care if it’s a gin joint! After 3 weeks in the Sahara with temperatures of 51C. who the hell wants a gin & tonic!!! Give me a Tennents lager!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile Paul tickled the ivories and some poor sod called Sam was sent home for the night.