Diary: The end of Part One!

Can I now say a few Big THANK YOU’s
Firstly and most importantly to Martin Solms. He’s the reason you people are able to follow my journey. He’s my webmaster, (I think that’s what they call it!) All I’ve done is take the photos and write a few lines each day. He has created this site entirely off his own back, and in his own time. Poor Martin has the unenviable task of receiving the floppy disks of photos and diary and trying to put them together in chronological order. He’s also a great lover of Overland travel, and has collated probably the most comprehensive listing of overland sites on the internet. www.africa-overland.net . Have a look - it’s wonderful.
I’ve received lots of E-Mails praising the site for its layout and ease of use. This is entirely down to Martin. (I’m a bit of a technophobe) One person I know who’s also very grateful to you is my mother as it lets her keep tabs on me and see that I’m still alive and in one piece!
Once again Martin thanks a million.

Next my mother for looking after my affairs back home, and keeping me posted on the daily goings on back home in Scotland.

My Father for developing and cataloging over 100 or so rolls of film which I’ve sent home. The cheque’s in the post dad!

Tony Cole my old chemistry teacher and long-time friend who has taken care of the letting of my house in Wiltshire for me. I will come home someday Tony!

Richard Hepper. Maggies previous owner. He gave me pages and pages of hints and tips for travelling in Africa. And has provided invaluable assistance when I’ve had problems. i.e. locating new tyres in Dar es Salaam.
The guys at Frank Ogg’s in Elgin. Especially Paul who took a personal interest in Maggie ensuring all was well for my big adventure. And supplying me with parts at a very reasonable price.
All the garages/workshops I’ve visited, which thankfully wasn’t too many. But especially the guys in Damascus, and Sean and friends at Autobox in Pretoria, excellent work guys!

All the people I’ve travelled with:-
Mike the German guy I travelled through Turkey with. He taught me more about photography than I could learn from any book.
Jurg, the laughing Dutchman who I met in Jordan. He was one of the funniest people I met, and a great source of info on Africa. Jurg, Ruaha was everything you promised and more.
Mike & Peggy - the Dutch couple I shipped from Aqaba with. I still look back on those trips into Wadi Rum with a big grin on my face. It was, and still is one of the most exhilarating places I’ve ever visited. I couldn’t have wished for better people to share it with.
Billy,  my old rugby playing pal who came out to join me for 3 months. Bill I’m sorry the trip didn’t go as planned, (Sudaneese Visa!) but I think we still had a great time.
Sannelie, the South African girl I travelled through Egypt with. It was good fun. I’d also like to thank her parents for storing my Curio collection for me while I sorted out the shipping.
Phillipe, the French journalist, travel writer, and Train spotter I travelled to Cape Town with. One train journey I’ll never forget.
My Cousin Jill, Colin and all my relatives and friends in Zimbabwe for making me so welcome and putting up with me for so long. My thoughts are with you all.
Doreen, Roy, Margaret, Rob and Family in Pretoria who “took me in off the street” so to speak and made me feel at home.
Aika, the crazy Dutch girl I travelled Namibia with. She was a breath of fresh air to me when I was feeling a bit low. We had a great laugh together. I’ll never forget the way she’d whirl around like a spinning top when she got rather excited about something!
Eddie and Cecile, the Belgian/French couple I travelled with for 1-2 months. Apart from the one incident in Mozambique we got along very well. Looking back on it I probably shouldn’t have written what I did. It was unfair and a harsh, but at the time I was furious, and I boiled over.
Minja my guide in Tanzania. A nice guy and a good driver. I highly recommend him If you in the Arusha area and are looking for some local knowledge, or a chance to take in the scenery while someone else takes the wheel. Tel 0741 218114 or e-mail minjad2002@yahoo.com  
Ofra, the Israeli girl I went to Banda island with. I’ll never forget that boat trip!