The Countries

TEAM RURAL CHIC

The Countries

PLYMOUTH DAKAR 2005

We have included this section to give any interested people a rough insight into the countries we will be going through. Everything written on each country is of our opinion so don't get upset if you don't agree!

Country No. 1: The United Kingdom

Yes, our green and pleasant land is where we are to leave from on February 18th 2005, and what a rich variety of things our country has to offer.

The UK is a vibrant mix of many cultures, which has helped to developed us into the well educated and upstanding citizens of the world today…...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mark1968/images%20Camping/map-england.gif

http://www.davidwalliams.com/full/lbcharacters/vickyfromthesun.jpg

Left: An image of the typical British Citizen of the 21st century.

Above: Map of the British Isles (minus various parts which didn't fit)

With the British stiff-upper lip, and the challenge of escaping the shores of the UK without having the car stolen or vandalised, we endeavour to reach Portsmouth to complete the first (if not short) leg of our journey.

Country No. 2: France

http://www.vdiest.nl/images/Europa/France/france.gif

If all goes well we should arrive in Caen in Northern France on the Morning of the 18th of February. Here is where the challenge begins. We have to cover around 400 miles in the first day arriving in Bordeaux for the first nights sleep. We get to drive through a sizable amount of France and get to experience not only its good food, but also a lot of its cheap beer come the evening. The drive down the west coast of France is generally a very pleasant drive, where we shall pass through the famous Le Mans (and perhaps test out the Fiats handling on one of the chicanes), we then drive through the Loire valley, passed La Rochelle and down to Bordeaux. Along the coast line of this part of France are huge areas of sand dunes, which, if not impressive, can act as a good test area to prepare for the latter stages of the rally.

On arriving in Bordeaux we will probably sleep, although there are a fair few things to look at, such as the three Unesco world heritage sites, or the Pont de Pierre.

After the completion of France we should also have passed through Biarritz (perhaps some attempt at surfing? Ha Ha!) and passed over the Pyrenees mountains to reach Bilbao and Spain!

http://www.circaterras.com/Assets/BordeauxPontDePierre.jpg

Right: The famous Pont de Pierre in Bordeaux.

Top left: France divided into their départments.

Country No. 3: Spain

http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Spain/spain-map.jpg

On arriving in Spain, we intend to reach Madrid for our second night out. This is around another 440 miles. We are of course assuming that the Fiat has made it this far. (or it seems a bit pointless carrying on writing about the route)

Spain is where the land starts to become more arid, and hopefully the weather will start to warm up slightly.

Madrid, being the capital city of Spain should be a good laugh, and a source of much drunken banter with other teams should we meet them. Madrid and Spain as a whole has tons of history and impressive places to visit, for example the castles built by the Moors, as well as many cheap tapas bars to drink in, with the excuse that you are actually there to try the local tapas. By being in Madrid we are hoping to avoid the onslaught of ‘British Pubs’ which have flooded the countries coast almost as quickly as the British people who frequent them (see Vicky Pollard photo above). The point that I am trying to make is that Spain is a country which is almost as nice as France, and ignoring the reputation it has gained in certain areas, there are many impressive things to see and do.

Left: Map of Spain

Below: Palacio Real (Madrid)

http://enciclopedia.us.es/index.php/Madrid_(Madrid)

More info. Visit: www.aboutmadrid.com

Country No.1 (I suppose): Gibraltar

Ah yes, after around 1600 miles of hard driving, and drinking our way through western Europe we should arrive back in Blighty (well kind of), actually we will have arrived in Gibraltar, a small part of the former empire that we have barely managed to keep!

My god, isn't it impressive! Now I realise why we gave up half of the World…..in order to keep Gibraltar! (oh and the Falklands) But joking aside, (as that is a joke, I don't mean to offend any locals or anyone else for that matter) This is are final European destination before we leave for Africa, and in actual fact it seems rather nice to be able to have a pint (rather than a 570ml) of best bitter before we leave for another continent.

http://www.elknet.pl/gsi/tapety/gibraltar.jpg

Gibraltar is of course a part of Britain since 1704(much to the annoyance of the Spanish). It remains really what it is generally described as…’a piece of rock’. However it is a very useful piece of rock of around 2 square miles supplying a home to the British army, as well as a very useful strategic position. It is also festooned with monkeys that steal anything and everything if you're not looking.

Above: The rock of Gibraltar

http://www.eastlancscamra.org.uk/webpics/pintber.jpg

Left: ‘Imperial’ pint of bitter. Alan Partridge would be proud!

Country No. 4: Morocco

If we arrive in Morocco, we would have done so through Ceuta, which is a Spanish bit of territory. (much like Gibraltar for us really, not that I’m calling the Spanish a tad hypocritical) Anyway, Morocco is our first serious challenge, as this is where the sand will start. Morocco was once part of the French colonial empire until the 1960’s (Battle of Algiers-quality film to watch about the fight for independence in Algeria). Anyway it is now an independent country with an amazing history. We should be driving through many amazing places, such as Fès, Rabat, Marrakesh and the Atlas mountains.

With all the Medina's, Souks and impressive Mosques the country has to offer, as well as its ancient manufacturing skills such as copper beating, carpet weaving and hide/leather preparation, this country has huge amounts to offer any holiday maker or traveller.

Of course lets not forget that Morocco is one of the best of the ‘Maghreb’ countries for any driver to get used to the conditions before the tarmac runs out.

http://www.projecttrust.org.uk/pics/maps/morocco.jpg

http://www.rediscover.co.uk/Images/Morocco_north/Fez_view_zoom.JPG

Above (top): Map of Morocco

Above (left): Picture of Fez

Country No. 5: Western Sahara

http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/amed/images/wi-map.jpg

I think the Polisario Front would be proud of me. The reason being is that Morocco seem to think that Western Sahara is theirs, and the Polisario think the opposite. So, as you can see I have taken the Polisario side by calling this ‘state’ a separate country.

I am writing this section and all following sections which a huge amount of assumption that the car has not fallen apart, and has got us to this stage or maybe even further. This country really is the ‘arse’ of Africa, by which I don't mean it is a horrible place but... due to the continuing conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front (although under cease-fire) no one has bothered to build decent roads or any other such delights, instead they have helpfully littered the place with land mines to keep us on our toes.

The sad fact is that this country could have been developed by the people who should be living here, unfortunately for the passed 35+ years they have been exiled into Algeria, where they still live, in the middle of nowhere, trying to get their rightful land back.

http://www.friendsofthewesternsahara.org/sahara_sand.jpg

Country No. 6: Mauritania

After driving through the Western Sahara, we should finally reach the boarder of Mauritania, home to what I think is the only country to have land-locked, hole digging crocodiles. It also pays tribute to the longest train in the world and a huge amount of iron ore production. Apart from that it has lots of desert.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapimages/africa/mauritania/mauritania.gif

Above: Map of Western Sahara

First Right: Polisario Army Advert

Far Right: Picture of flag

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Left: Typical example of the dangerous and unpredictable Mauritanian crocodile.

Right: Map of Maurtania

After the ‘boarder formalities’ (petit cadeaux’s all round) and the drive across nothing but sand (which is now a slight lie, as rumour has it they have build a road) we should finally reach Rosso, which is the boarder crossing (by boat) into Senegal. Going through Mauritania is going to be the most desolate and hard-going part of the trip, but I’m sure the Fiat will make it, as long as we stay away from the ferocious crocs!

Country No.7and 8: Senegal/Gambia

If all goes very well we should arrive in Senegal, however I’m not expecting it to go ‘very well’ due to the huge amount of hassle the Senegalese Boarder police are famous for dishing out.

Well anyway, once we are in to the country, it is supposed to be a truly amazing place. Once again part of the former French colonies, Senegal was one of the homes to the famous French Postal pilots who navigated their rickety old planes from St Louis to South America. Here we shall spend a few days.

http://www.informatuttonet.com/atlante/mappe02/senegal.gif

Once we get flushed out of Senegal by the friendly authorities, we shall enter The Gambia, our destination. This country, and Senegal is where Black Africa meets Arab Africa, and the change is as impressive as it is sudden. Out of interest the boarders of The Gambia (which was part of the British Empire) were laid out by the distance the gun ships of the River Gambia could fire, thus protecting all boarders of the country. I’m also told by a reliable source that The Gambia was known as ‘the white mans grave’ in colonial times due to the huge problem of malaria in the country.

Below left: Banjul with cars that made it!

Below right: Map of Seno-Gambia

http://www.interimtour.org/Gambia1.jpg