Afritrex Update 19/02/08

Its been a week of long hard travelling as we?ve left the sahara behind for now and find ourselves relaxing on the beaches of Senegal and Gambia soaking up the atmosphere, sunshine and amazing welcoming people who call this place home.

We entered Mauritania after going against all we?d been told and expected to do by entering both Nouhadibou and Nouakchott (warnings on the FCO website and the cancellation of the Dakar Rally have meant tourists are few and far between!) and staying with very welcoming hosts in both cities.

These were difficult parts of Africa for us as they?re very strictly religious and the sale of alcohol is strictly governed! The heat of the desert, the dust and the madness of the cities were something I?m really pleased we got involved with and have made a real impact on both of us.

Once we?d made it to the relative safety of Senegal and spent 3 days there relaxing in the company of Ibou and his friends who make up a djembe group called Lamp Fall. Very well known in the country, their names are all over the shops, taxis, buses and lorries, they were incredible hosted and treated us to fish grills, music and the pleasure of meeting their families everyday?.how many kids can you have?!?!

It was hard to tear ourselves away but we did and are currently having our first day in The Gambia, our first English speaking country since the UK. Again a really easy place to get on, the smile is the way of life here and rightly so, the country?s fertile, the ocean is the source of wealth and food and everyone seems happy! More of the same please.

Been running in the mornings and exercising as much as possible and trying to keep on top for the next challenge in SA!!

Hope all is well with you wherever you are, keep smiling J

Ben & Luke