Preparing For the next stage

I have been mulling around the Lac Rose and Dakar area for too long now and it’s time to move on. Clothes are washed and I’m rested so now I/we are preparing to leave and head for The Gambia.

For several days we have been having difficulties with Julios bike and today, the mechanic from Dakar returned the bike and most of the problems have been fixed, there are a couple of potential problems but for now the bike is fine.

Earlier today I had to get out of the campsite, it’s not an easy walk so I heated up and headed off for a trip around Lac Rose in search of the fabled pink colour in the lake.

It had been a damp night and the bike was covered in condensation, when I started her up she was running very badly, miss firing and popping but two minutes down the track and all was fine, the badge on the plug cap is not perfect but it works and I’m fine with it, must be careful if I ever see water again!!

I rode through a back street into the village and was immediately flagged down by a young Senegalese who basically wanted to sell me a tour or something, I wasn’t interested and rode off to a local shop to buy water, he followed me and wanted to help but i didn’t need him and did the transaction myself!! You can usually get what you want, it just takes a little time and perseverance.

Pulling out onto the main road which is tar I’m riding past the quad hire places that take tourists into the dunes, I don’t want any of that so within a hundred meters I’m back on the sand roads and heading around the lake. Apart from the initial harsh speed bumps the going is good, outside the town most of the speed destructors peter out and it’s just dirt road.

There are beautiful views across the lake as I make my way around enjoying the breeze and the freedom of riding without all my luggage. I stop for photos and take in the sights, sounds and pleasant smells of the area.

Rounding the far end of the lake there’s a small water crossing which I take with ease and hit the ‘main road’, still on dirt, and head back to camp.

I enjoyed it so much I decided to do it again, you know, just in case I missed something. The locals must think I’m lost, I don’t care and do the whole thing again, this time taking the time to film a bit of the ride on my phone!

Back at camp Sitting by the pool with gorgeous red and yellow songbirds, or indeed birds of paradise, flitting in and out. A couple of vultures eyeing up Tim’s spindly legs for tea, sit in a tree above camp. We decide to eat fish in the restaurant tonight so no need to prepare food.

Lazy afternoon in the burning hot sun keep the temperature down with infrequent dips in the pool, it’s going to be back on the road in the morning when things will all change once again.

We decided that Dakar wasn’t the easiest place for visa applications and opted for The Gambia instead, apparently you can get bacon there, that would go well with a couple of bottles of red wine now wouldn’t it. !!

I may just treat myself to a haircut too, I had a chop at it with my Swiss Army knife but it needs another set of eyes and bigger scissors…