20 July

We were up with the cold light of dawn, having slept in the open - no tents, just the stars shining above us for company.  A local farmer said there was a 12 foot black mamba near a spring in the gorge behind us so we did not venture up there!  Springbok grazed nearby as we left and began the rough drive 200 miles north east toward civilisation, crossing a beautiful mountain pass with baboon on the side of the road as we drove under a hot morning sun. 

At last, after 4 days and 800 miles of rough, corrugated dirt roads we reached the tarmac again and headed north for Windhoek.  There we met Dr Russell Taylor, an old friend of mine, for tea before driving out towards the airport to find a campsite for the next couple of days.  We and the Landrovers are all covered in dust and it is time to have a shower and spend a day cleaning out the vehicles.  Some rattles have also started to appear as well as a drip of oil from Nigel's gearbox and my Landrover back door is beginning to sag - I think a new bolt in the hinge is required!