stu dowell - lost presumed fed

motorcyclist off to middle east and Africa in Aid of the Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance....http://www.justgiving.com/stuart-lost-presumed-fed/ .

many thanks to Rugged roads for great service regarding there KTM accessories, http://www.bikersbedsfrance.co.uk/ and http://german-rhineland.com/ for accommodation and norfolkline.com for ferry crossings also Ivan at www.grd.be for accommodation and inspiration www.calipau-sahara.com for free accommodation, assistance from starik engineering the ktm dealers in Israel (top people), free coffee and life saving chocolates at Patisserie pakpinar Girne, Cyprus and so many other individuals that have shown me such great hospitality and kindness.

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Joined on: March 24th 2009
Last Login: March 7th 2010

Blog Entries: 18
Photos: 115

TB Code: [blogger=114892]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by stu dowell, order by Date newest first.

By stu dowell
December 30th 2009

Homeward bound Africa » Morocco » Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz » Marrakech

Toulousain

Marrakech, What a wonderful, crazy place to spend Christmas, The Toulousain hotel just off Mohamed 5th Ave was my base. The room was adequate and very clean and breakfast was good, they sorted a garage for my bike and recommended a hire car company that did me a decent deal after negotiation. All that was left was to be joined by my family, hmmm Ryan Air and a little snow meant that they lost three nights sleeping in the airport rather than dancing the night away here, when they did make it we headed off to Ouzerzate for a night with [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
December 15th 2009

Mauritania to Marrakesh in one easy lesson Africa » Mauritania

always there

Last night was spent at Camping Abba in Nouadibou, hit the town for a Chinese and a beer , returned home and snuggled up to the cockroaches and set myself for an early start.Well before dawn I awoke, don't know if it was excitement or apprehension, either way as soon as first light broke I was on the road. Got to the border post and filtered past the trucks, thought it was 24hr obviously not. Just as I got to the barrier a guard nodded and lifted it, I was first in, through the myriad of douane/police/customs/moneychangers and I was into [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
December 3rd 2009

Destination Dakar Africa

DAKAR

Dakar, I made it!!!!! Seems a little surreal but I am actually there, so all those who promised to donate to the air ambulance, now is the time to put your hands in your pockets and pledge a couple of quid. http://www.justgiving.com/stuart-lost-presumed-fed/ Me and Nigel had a very enjoyable ride from the zebrabar to Dakar, the roads were ok and we were always entertained by looking at the various wildlife on the way , alive and dead! The countryside is very lush compared to the north with stuff like trees !! we had not seen these it seems for ages. Coming [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
November 25th 2009

Mauritania and the Sahara Desert Africa » Mauritania

Bedouin camping

Good day today all told, nice breakfast, chilled start to the day and rattled off 250km's, filled up and did another 100km by this time it was getting rather warm and the scenery had definitely moved into the desert/dune territory. Intuition told me to fill up at this little filling station even though 1/3rd full, good job i did because it was another 200Km before fuel, did pass one in the desert but had been shut for a considerable time looking at it.Was getting well into the afternoon and wanted to get to Tan Tan as was recommended an Auberge there, [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
November 21st 2009

Tunisia to Morocco, more bloody boats Africa » Tunisia

El Presidentie

Tunisia, white walled houses, blue shutters, warm sun and friendly faces. That will be my abiding memory of Tunisia. It all started with a rather too long ferry from Genova in Italy, 24hrs plus customs and then needed to find a hotel, so the first night was spent with the Iitalian chapter of the Black Widows! Next day i tried to get into Algeria via the northern most border point at Tabarka, no go and was told to get a visa from the Embassy at El Kef, en-route got distracted by one of the numerous sites of Roman ruins. Nearby I [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
November 1st 2009

Escaping Israel to Africa by cargo ship Africa » Tunisia

sea of galilee

Yesterday I went on a ride into the mountains of northern Israel, they are called the Gollan heights and it is edged by the Jordan river which feeds the sea of Galilee (or Tiberias as it is now known ). This is the Garden of Israel and full of banana plantations and other market gardening ventures set up by the multinational company's.Is is a very fertile area and the mountains have a rugged beauty about them. The air Is much cleaner and also a dammed sight cooler. I stop by Nazereth, known for being Christ's home town, bit like growing up [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
October 22nd 2009

Israel Palestine and the Holy lands Middle East » Israel » Tel Aviv District » Tel Aviv

KTM Israel

I left you last time as I was about to try to cross the prince hussein bridge, Hmm that one didnt work, the bridge was closed for the day and whats more the guy in charge, very nice fellow in an air conditioned office, said only vehicles could pass with prior consent of both Governments as it went straight into the west bank.He advised I go North and cross at the only other available place which was In the Jordan valley. Typical of the region, the Jordanians were miffed because you wanted to leave to go to Israel, and the Israeli [View Full Entry]

The Western Wall sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall or simply the Kote

By stu dowell
October 15th 2009

Petra the jewel in Jordans crown Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra

Mansour tries it for size

Journal Entry: Monday, October 12, 2009 Time: 10:01 PM Started the day with a very nice large leisurely breakfast, then went for a walk, didn't get lost but found myself at the gates of prince Hussein's residence on the Israeli border (its that close )the checkpoint phoned the gaffer and he invited me in for drinks as he likes England ! The captain was a very nice fellow and we had Arabian coffee, was almost clear and none to sure of the flavour and a glass of orange juice. Returned to the hotel via the market again, little else to do, [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
October 11th 2009

Syria & Jordans Red or Dead Middle East » Jordan

Sunset over Beruit

Journal Entry: Friday, October 09, 2009 Time: 1:24 PM moved on from the Nile resort, was very nice and the morning breakfast was something to behold, i wont need to eat for days, shame i cant take some of there coffee with me. Went to load the bike and the guy gives me my passport back, i say no rush i have to pay yet, he says no problem ? go to pay and he says no problem, i say i know but i really ought to be getting on and please could you take some money, another guy comes with [View Full Entry]

By stu dowell
October 9th 2009

The Turkish Syrian border episode Middle East » Syria

Syrian Border

Hmm, thought it prudent to visit the consulate on the way out to the border, got there half an hour to early so took tea with the cops guarding outside, this seems to be a recurring theme, maybe its like donuts in the states. got in to a better reception this time and my forged docs from work helped, he took passport and papers and said return in an hour, another cup of tea later this guy who i kept seeing approached , we did the salam ala cum bit and he asked how i was getting on, the police said [View Full Entry]

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stu dowell - lost presumed fed

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