So here are some travel photos:
Somewhere in Mali 2004 - Christmas trip with us in our Defender 300Tdi and friends in their HZJ80. The 80 we had to temporarily abandon in Mali with two of the girls after it dropped a valve! Took us 10 days to sort out a used engine/fitting.... it then only made it to the Ghana border - and a flat bed home! Expensive trip for my friends! The Defender broke down numerous times, but I could always get it back on the road.
Door in Dogon Land (traditional animist tribe who resisted a lot of attempts at being converted to Islam or Christianity). Amazing place.
I think we were getting hexed here!
Baobab tree - this is a small one
The 80 struggling up a hill - pump was shot, consumption through the roof... it was a liability waiting to happen
One of many breakdowns - I ended up going mental at the guy in the pink beanie who claimed to be an auto electrician - actually he was just a thief!
We had the rooftent, our friends had to make do... they also didn't believe it would get cold... we were snug in big blankets - they were literally shivering.
Mopti on the banks of the river Niger - full on place. Not for me. Give me the wide open spaces any day! The blocks of salt come down by camel train from the North (still!)
Check out how to transport goats - incredible. Stops them running around that's for sure!
Waiting for a sunset crossing of a tributary of the Niger (heading to Djenne)
The famous mud mosque of Djenne (I didn't take this one as I was adjusting the LR wheel bearings for the zillionth time)
Hey - what a surprise! The long and dusty road to Timbuctu wouldn't be complete without removing and stripping an alternator on New Years Eve....
"Okay - I am going to sprint back to a bearing shop - will take the 80 and I promise you after this we buy a Landruiser... no really we will"
We made it (after leaving the 'Rover in the care of a friendly farmer as there were some serious trust issues by now)
Tourist trinket sellers hassles and Landrovers. My two favourite things as you can see
I will get more up soon.