So, here we both are in South Africa.

Paul came 3 weeks ahead of me to import the bikes, service them and prepare them for the trip....if only that had gone to plan! So, here we both are in South Africa.

Paul came 3 weeks ahead of me to import the bikes, service them and prepare them for the trip....if only that had gone to plan! I arrived here almost 3 weeks ago expecting a couple of days 'pool time' before setting off to Mozambique - but no.... of course not...the bikes were still hauled up in customs. It wasn't going my way at all...now I had the prospect of helping to service the bikes!

It has been frustrating for Paul as well, no transport, lots of movies and daily fights with Customs!

Finally after FIVE WEEKS of waiting (and by the way we pay for 'storage' while this going on) the shipping agent and South African customs pulled their fingers out and released our bikes...reasons for the delay can be summed up in a few words...brain dead, useless, waste of oxygen, pointless bunch of $#@# (these are Paul's exact words - its been a hard 5 weeks!)

So after a shaky start (although the weather has been nice!) we have been working flat out on our bikes to clean a UK winters worth of dirt off them and get them serviced and ship-shape...Paul is in his element and with gritted teeth, I have been up to my armpits in grease and grime...!

So off we go - on our next adventure...without my beloved hair-straightners..boo hoo!!