by text - 10:07am
At the Senegal-Mali border, my last border crossing, am still in our first hour here and seem to be making decent progress. Am making a study of truck art - there is a fashion for heavily customised fuel tanks, bumbers and cabs.
I left the car unattended and had my battery stolen - by Jonny, whose own was now completely flat, so I then needed a bump start.by text - 12:31pm
Still at the border. This looked as if it was going to be a quick crossing, but after 3.5 hours we're still here. Have eaten chunks of mutton from a roadside stall and about to do battle with the gridlocked trucks to get on our way. Put the hood up for the first time - a bit of a fight, with the sacrifice of several fingernails. Where can I find a manacurist when I need one?
by text 3pm.
Arrived in Kayes - allegedley the hottest town in Africa. I don't know what the temperature is, but we are all melting and the cars are overheating.. Need to change money and shop, then find somewhere to camp.
After this I've only got 400 miles to drive before handing over the car to Rollo for the final leg. The FCO office advice is now that North Mali is a complete no go area with bad things happening to westerners, so don't know yet if I'll get to Timbuktu, or my route and timing home.
by text - 5:13pm
So nice - Now showered and with all my clothes washed, life feels better. We're in a campsite in Kayes, Mali. The truck's gone into town and when it gets back there'll be cold beer. Can't wait.
by text -10:11pmSpent the eveing on the campsite with an Australian couple - new audience for David's stories.. they're doing a similar tip by landrover and kept saying how mad they think we are. Up early tomorrow and on to Bamako, or as far as we can get. Will make a new plan in Bamako.
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