17 May

We left St Louis and headed for the dreaded Rosso river crossing at the Mauri border. Being much better prepared this time it went better but the authorities still try to get money out of you at every opportunity. The locals are just as dishonest, I caught a disabled boy who was begging and playing the sympathy card trying to steal from the BM's topbox.

Eventually we were clear of Rosso and travelling through Mauritania, we were only going as far as Noakchott as we have more time for the return journey.

This may be the capital of Mauri but it is a dump, with sandy shanty town style streets, from what we saw it has nothing to offer. Mauritania is a very desolate place, covered by desert, and poverty where there are inhabitants.

Dads clutch is getting worse and we may have to find a BMW dealer when we get to Marrakesh, and my choke is now stuck on permanently.

Miles covered: 190