PHOTO GALLERY / VISUAL DIARY OF TRIP

Photo gallery/visual diary of the trip can be found on our photo page. Use link here or page via our website. http://picasaweb.google.com/eleanorchubb hope you enjoy it.

UK – Monday 30th November via Libya

We touched down at Gatwick, London at 10.30am and were greeted by Richard’s family who seemed very pleased to see us understandably. We then headed straight for a burger and fries, before heading back to Wellingborough and then Norfolk. Both exhausted and feeling cold after temps of 40c plus. Between sleeping, we have been finishing this blog and organising photographs for the website. A presentation evening is planned for January in Northampton and Norfolk. Donations are currently well over 4000 pounds and counting. We are still hoping to reach our target of 5000 pounds by the January hand over. Again watch this space. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our progress. Don’t forget to checkout our photo gallery via our Picasa web album or via our website at www.snailafrica.co.uk. Thanks again for your continued support, bye for now. xx

BENIN – Grand Popo to Cotonou – Sunday 29th Nov

Lay in after heavy night. Omelette and chips for breakfast and a final swim in the pool. We set off for Cotonou around 2pm after trying to repack the car a little and swapping the slightly broken tent for a nice traditional pot. The drive to the capital involved a beautiful section of off-road alongside the sandy beach shaded by large palms. The weather had been perfect for pretty much the whole of the trip and today was no exception with blue skies and temperatures around 40 degrees. Most of the teams visited a lovely restaurant in the mango groves but unfortunately we had no time to stop as we needed to properly pack the car and still find a bank that would give us money! Upon arrival in Cotonou we headed into the centre in search of a suitcase to help us take as much as we could home. We fortunately stumbled onto 'Suitcase Street' and had much fun negotiating a good price between the many traders. With the car full to busting already, the only place for our new purchase was on the front seat. Eleanor was therefore forced to ride back to the hotel sitting fully inside the suitcase which was as hilarious to see as it sounds! The taxi came at midnight for the two minute drive to the airport so we parked up Cookie in the hotel car park, ready for the organizers to load him onto a container ship in the coming days. Soon we were saying a reluctant goodbye to Benin as we jetted away in the plane bound for Libya then Gatwick.

BENIN – REST DAY – GRAND POPO – Saturday 28th Nov

We took the Pentax 2CV on a farewell outing, with the doctor Andreas and Dutch Richard, to the local town to look for a bank. We were not successful in our quest to withdraw money but we did manage to get the car stuck in all gears. As the locals watched on bemused, we first attempted to bounce it round 180 degrees, only for the driveshaft to fall out! With it still stuck facing the wrong way we then lift and slowly slid it round before ramming it into gear and repeatedly dropping the clutch (which surprisingly worked). Eleanor and Andreas climbed onto the roof and we at last drove off, much to the amusement of the onlookers. We then used our best French to exchange the remaining canned food for fresh mangos and oranges before we left the town. This was a task that Eleanor was particularly good at and it was impressive what a pack of spaghetti and tinned beans could be swapped for! Later in the afternoon we had the presentation of the trophies. We were surprised but very humbled to receive the prestigious team spirit award jointly with Tentoo team. This award had been voted by the fellow participants on the trail. Photos were then taken on the podium with the car shortly before the celebrations began. We had the most amazing beach party and stayed up till the early hours.

BENIN – OFFICIAL FINISH – Grand Popo - Friday 27th November

This day was full of emotion as it was going to be the official completion of the trip. Many teams were unsure they would finish due to the technical and physical pressure of the trip, but we all have without exception completed the 5th and final Touareg Trail hardcore edition. As a group we all convoyed together and took an off road track to Grand Popo where we would officially complete the trip. There was lots of singing and celebratory drink upon arrival in the town. The Mayor turned out to welcome us and we did two parades of the town, waving at the local behind our police escort. We were so pleased to reach the end, everyone was very excited resulting in excessive use of the car horns and soaking each other with water and beer! A bit crazy but a welcome release knowing we had made it the 6000miles at last. At 12pm we drove onto the beach at Grand Popo and lined up on the sand. After enjoying a coconut filled with rum we all ran into the sea to celebrate. The waves however were huge and several people got knocked down by them including both our official trip cameramen. Fortunately nobody was seriously hurt. The rest of the day was spent enjoying a well earned rest and a nice dinner before everyone went to bed relatively early, worn out from the day’s excitement.

BENIN – Relaxing Day – Kpalime – Abomey

As our last real off road day we had a very relaxing day traveling with Tentoo, Pentax and the Dutch. A smooth crossing was made over the Benin border and we arrived at our wood carving camp late afternoon. In the evening we enjoyed a great meal with many french fries and later, along with others we helped consumer a massive bottle of 4.5 litres of whisky supplied and consumed with the owner Monique.

TOGO – MOUNTAIN JUNGLE DRIVE – Wed 25th Nov - Atakpame – Kpalime

In the morning we headed up into the hills for what was meant to be one of the most beautiful drives of the trip. For the whole day all sorts of Butterflies could be seen flying amongst the tropical plants which lined the hilly off road tracks. Villagers all came out to wave hello and as usually shout for gifts. As a rule Richard and myself would not give hand outs, but exchange or buy local produce. Bananas and peanuts were particularly good here. Many river crossing involved negotiating some very dodgy looking bridges, but it all added to the fun. Highlight of the day was the tropical hill top views and breathtaking waterfalls. That evening was our last organization catering so a little party was had with an outdoor movie. A great night was had by all.