11 May

Todays aim was to cross Mauritania and get across the river into Senegal. We knew it was going to be tough so we had an early breakfast and set off at 6.30, we managed the first 180 miles which was through a sand storm by 9am!

The scenery is just sand dunes for as far as you can see to both sides now that the sand storm has eased off.

The roads are getting worse and worse as we head south, and the standard of driving is not improving. We have seen some pretty bold overtakes that have ended in us taking evasive action!

Today we knew we were going to have about a 300 mile stretch with no petrol stations or anything, but desert, we have the spare fuel tank so were prepared. We made it ok, but it is a daunting feeling knowing that if you have a problem out there you really are in trouble!

All continued to go well, we were now nearing the edge of the desert, there are the odd little clusters of shacks every 20 miles or so. Unfortunately with these dwelling came animals, we have had everything from lambs and small children to fully grown camels walking out into our path today, a true test of our brakes in places.

Today the temperature whilst going along with a strong breeze reached 41 degrees, so I dread to think what it would have been when stationary.

We eventually made it to Rosso at about 3.30pm where we would be crossing into Senegal, no real problems on the Mauri side. We had been warned about Senegal for pick pockets etc, it is a lot rougher than Gambia. They were right but unfortunately it was the police we had trouble with. After the 5 minute river crossing the Senegalese were demanding 170 euros to continue. In total it took about 2 hours and got quite heated but in the end we had to pay it or we were going nowhere!

Absolutely shattered from the heat and not having eaten properly since breakfast, we headed about 75 miles to St Louis where we opted for the first hotel we came to, which is really nice and they even let us park the bikes in the reception area!

Miles covered: 489