Nigeria. A land of contrast.

Nigeria I'm told, is the 8th wealthiest country on the planet.You will need to check that. I am not the Discovery Channel. Yet,I guess, in my own way, I am. Of a fashion :)

Abuja is only twenty odd years old. Purpose built to be Nigerias new capital. It's new found wealth,born of huge oil reserves. A capital city to reflect and represent that.

The roads are good, the water is always available, as is electricity. When it does fail,lots of diesel generators kick in. All privately owned by the given business. There are western type food chains. Small, but modern shopping centres, bars and all you'd expect say in Europe. Most are high end. The prices being at the least, the same as Europe. At the least. Bottle of beer...? Upto £5 !! Small Pizza and Fanta ?? £10 .All are crawling with security. Scanners and metal detectors at the entrances. And the Army and Police are never far away. :)

Outside of the bad. Which I'm coming to. Almost all the Nigerians have been very respectful. Very. Always calling me ' Sir ' or even ' Master '. Upon arriving anywhere, I receive,  ' Sir you are welcome '. All the time. Did you expect that ? I didn't.

Nigeria, on that front, it has been a absolute pleasure. I hope to return to Abuja. They always like a white man to front a business. It gives them more credibility. So you never know. I'm interested.

But it's definitely not all roses and cottages. That's for sure. Illegal road blocks !!! Huge tree trunks in the road. Planks of wood with six inch nails in them. Men sometimes armed with rifles and machetes. Looking to get money. But you don't see white men. Ever!! They are in Abuja or Calabar. So when I turn up, they shout at me. Annoyed I've slipped through their road block. I do it by waiting for a truck,van or finally,a car. And fly through at the last second, on the blind side.

A blog is a quick snap shot. I can't share everything. But Nigeria is certainly not all bad. I've liked the mentality I've met and the majority of the people.

Road Signs. Imagine trying to drive around your own country without any road signs ! There are non here...zero. ..narda...non. 600 km in two days. And a mixture of the best roads in Africa. And the absolute worst. No GPS, no map and no bloody road signs. Imagine that! !!! Make it easy for me Nigeria. ..Cheers !!

Long story short. Between yesterday and today, I've covered around 600 km. Not much ?? Well today I went totally off the grid. Really for the crack. There was a proper road. But I just wanted to cut across country. And off my home made map. Just going on less than a dust road. Much less. Close to just guessing really. Following my nose. Through bush villages and jungle. Thick jungle now. Everyone just gob smacked. But for some reason the illegal road block men, cheered me. Three separate road blocks. I salute them and they salute back. No idea what it's all about. But it's worked so far. :) Fingers.

Until, I came across a dried river. Completely in the middle of nowhere. No idea even now. All dirt dust and rock. And as I entered the river, half a dozen men jumped up. They were all digging. No idea again. All were shouting and un be known to me, they had a Bamboo blockade.  But...here's the but. They ran to lift it. And were prepared to help push my bike,up the dried river bank.

As non were armed and I was. I actually stopped. Not a great move maybe. But we spoke, middle of the jungle and their English was good. And that's rare in Nigeria. I explained my story. They seemed to like it a lot. Asked for a gift. I said I had my own money problems. ( I'm at £500 and it's going fast.) But gave 50 Naira. About 20 p. We all shook hands, which is done over hand and a mutual finger click. And I continued along the tiny dirt track. ( Lucky. )

After several hours I hit tarmac. No idea where I was. But logic said I was going in the right direction. Not one minute later, my chain came off my bike. Stretched loads by the past 100++ km of off roading. It was hanging.

A lad pointed me to a hut which fixed the usual Chinese bikes. I was instantly surrounded by a good dozen men. The atmosphere was mild aggression towards me. I kept my cool and was polite. But didn't show the worry I had inside. The eldest and largest began to grill me. Quickly telling me. ... " your people colonised us ". He wasn't a happy bunny.  ( My knife strapped to the inside of my left arm. )  I said I was old, but not that old and wasn't there. And asked how he was. He said..." ahhh but you received some of the benefits. .."!!

I did consider mentioning my country had also been colonised, by the Romans ( Italians), the Normans, ( the French ), the Vikings, ( the Danish).....and of course three Germanic tribes. The Angles, the Saxon and little known Judd. ( Poor Judd never get a mention. ) But the moment didn't seem too right for a history lesson.  And just said "...well its getting poorer now....if that helps "  To  which he said " good ". And offered me water.

Bike wise. O have a guess....I broke the frame! !! Luggage rack that is. A number of bolts rattled free too. And the rear suspension bottoms out a lot. I actually don't think the shocker has gone again. Just that with the weight of all my kit and the limited travel, the tyre sometimes hits the fender. Photos below.

Bit of a long one today. I'm in a town called Aplapum. A bush town. No roads or banks or anything. The very basic Guesthouse costing 2,000 N.Electicity after 7pm. Stand in a bucket and throw water on yourself, for your ' shower ' ! ive eaten chicken and rice. With pepper sauce. And enjoyed it. Very spicy.No white men in these parts. That's for sure. Meal was 500 N. Restaurant owner very pleased I complemented the food so much. They expert white men to be eating something else.

Lots happens I can't put in this blog.
Photos of the village bush track. Good 100 km worth. Will check exact distance. I think further. Women washing clothes and child in the river. My bathroom and shower buckets. And me dripping with swet and really cool helmet hair. ( dont be rude.) Writing this and going to sleep. Will upload in Calabar. Via wifi, when I find it . Phone has gone all bold on me. :)

But I am doing all of this for wounded servicemen. Men and women without arms. Without legs ! Can you begin to imagine ? Sat in wheel chairs. Abandonded by the polititions who sent them to war. " NO MONEY FOR YOU "!! all whilst they write a cheque for £12,000,000,000... in so called ' aid '!!!  Get your priorities right.!!!! Stop giving money to India and China. Who both have space programmes. British tax payers money should be spent on the British. .....

....or is it correct that we leave our servicemen in with no legs,no dignity,in wheel chairs ??

Help me to help them. X

Please click the HELP FOR HEROES LOGO AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. please make my efforts worthwhile.

Calabar tomorrow and get the Cameroon Visa. Should be in Cameroon in 48 hrs.

Please make a donation. Click the Help for Heroes logo.

Thank you.

Will x

Sahara Desert Part Duex

Salada madi cum

Through Agidir and Guelim. And now in Tan Tan Plage. Chipping away at the 1, 200 km of desert region. Met Tash, an English girl, who just married a local guy. Who works at the camp site. Between them I sorted out some bread and fuel. And got the low down on black market petrol from Anglers.

The desert road is almost totally straight, so not too exciting. Two days ago I put my i pod on, whilst riding, for the first time. I'm sure I look like the Sheik of Cool, as I ride along, singing and boping in my helmet and enduro suit. Infact, entertainment is when I see some camels !! And they seem to look at me all confused.

Back in the north of Morocco, I'd see Police at most roundabouts. But they always waved me through. Now, there are very official check points. With a mixture of Morrocan Army and then Police. All armed. (This region has had issues in the past.)

They now always pull me over and ask for my passport. I need to print off and fill in something called a 'Ficshe'. (Might not be spelt correctly. )
It's a bit like a questionnaire for a dating show. What's your name, where do you come from, where are you going. And do you prefer brunette or blondes ? That sort of thing.

The desert is still a mixture of rock and sand. Not quite the Lawrence of Arabia set, you might expect. Temperatures and humidity are all tolerable. But I have noticed the bike is rusting at an unseen before rate! ! Any exposed metal and it rusts. I think the Sahara is like a microwave ruster. :(  so I have baby wiped the bike. Honestly, I have.  To remove all oil, I have a slight leak, so the sand can't stick.

I need to Google " cado " or " cadu". I'm guessing it means " can I have your cash buddy ". As ever kid I pass says it to me !!! Lol.

Presently being entertained by a four year lad. Who is pointing at bits of my bike. Wanting to know what it's called in English.  Nice just to be ' talking ' to someone.

Going for it tomorrow. Making good head way towards the Mauritania border.

Not much to report. Apart from sun, sand and dating questioners.

Find me on Facebook . London to Johannesburg. "Like" and get updates and more sarcasm.

Will

Training on sand

Trying to do this blog on my new phone.  As when under way, this is the way I will be doing it. Hopefully !

Well,  we have had a set back with one of the sponsors. Which has left a gap in the budget. I am putting in £5, 300 but now need to find an additional £1, 800. No mean feet. So far I have begged and borrowed a further £1040. And an army mate has sorted £500. So we are on a tight, tight budget.  Back on track.

( I haven't accounted for gettting back though. )

Been on tour with The Extreme Stunt Show this past two weeks.  And found myself near a beach. So thought I'd start to learn ridding on sand.

I gave it a few steady runs on the wet sand. And into some seaweed covered rocks. And was just getting into it. When the Police arrived. !!!! So not wanting to interupt their duties.  I pretended not to see them. And went like the desert wind.:)

The Biker Store called last week.  One of their customers is a TV Producer. He has kindly offered to do an interview to promote An Idiot Got Bored.  The Slow Way Down. ..( The Angrier Pants are on. ) !!!!

This will go on YouTube and also on this blog.

Hopefully the donations will increase and maybe a Camping and Sat Nav sponsor may want to get involved.  Hint hint. ...

Ok. I'm going to see what this looks like. Share this page and please make a donation.  Every penny is going straight to help wounded servicemen.  Most of whom have loat arms and legs.Click here to donate to Help for Heroes. London to Johannesburg on a 125 .

Will

Mighty Van Van goes on a diet

So....the bike has gone on a crash  diet ....

Suzuki have taken the mud guards, side panels and tank off. Another great job done by Tom and the guys at
Suzuki Haslemere..Click to go to  Tom in service dept.

They are now on their way to be painted white. Courier collects on Monday. £11 to the other side of the country. Not too bad! The bike will be a blank canvas then. As the graphics will be going on. Including "London2Johannesburg" and the Union Jack blending into the South African flag.  Should look very cool. And with the "text2donate" number on the side,hopefully some well earnt donations should go to our wounded servicemen.The charity I am doing this challenge for,is called Help for Heroes. They do amazing work for wounded servicemen. If you who I am trying to help by doing this 20,000km challenge. Dont leave it up to someone else. Please donate,the "others" never donate!!! It's up to you. Click donate,quickly and safley....Click below..
 Donate to Help for Heroes 

Dave Lythcoe is going to work his magic on the might Van Van. With his spray gun. Really looking forward to seeing the bike done.  Easy day today, Mount admin is about covered, for the time being. As soon as the bike is finished,it will be Press Release time and lots of Public relations work. All to raise awareness of our wounded servicemen. Who serve our country with such dedication,humour and ability. Over one £££thousand pounds now. Can you please donate to my challenge.Click here to go to HELP FOR HEROES donate 2 seconds is all it takes..

Time to get some work, so I can pay for this challenge!! :)

An Idiot Got Bored. The Slow Way Down.

May the blog be with you.  Right,I am on a budget to do this challenge.  Which is polite code for I am skint.!So I have been on e Bay (scam bay),and found myself a pair of BMW Pro Rally 2 trousers.  With the body armour that molds to you,as it heats up. Price...a fiver!! £8 including the postage. Not pretty,but it's a case of function over form!!. Result!!!

Ok.More excitement climbing Mount Admin today.It takes allot of research to do a challenge like this.And as often is the case.You end up where you started,as there are so many opposing views.Pop the kettle on,as admin will rock your world.!!!!!! Look at the stuff  I've had to do. No more pubs,clubs and going out for me. No,no,no...all you need is endless hours reading about Carnet de Passage's and Temp Import Permits!!
Lock yourself in,as this is bl*%dy exciting stuff.

One BIG subject for Africa is a Carnet De Passage. And I've read all manner of versions of whether you need one or not. And all manner of magical figures of their cost. So whilst this subject wont having you taping your foot with fulfillment.It's something you need to know,if you are going to Africa.

For the most part,from those who have been,you don't need a Carnet de Passage (CDP),for most countries. You can pay on the borders and use a Temp Import Permit. (TIP). The official line,is that you "should" have a CDP. The RAC are the only organization that provide CDP's in the UK. You can go to ADAC in Germany,but I personally haven't tried.

For those of you thinking of getting a CDP. here is the reality,not internet make believe. Rachel is the girl to ask for at RAC Carnet Dept. 08000 468 375. You will read on here that Paul is the man. He's gone.Rachel is the new Obie One.CDP,you can either put a cash deposit down or use an insurance indemnity.The CDP for West coast of Africa,works on a %% of 150% of the bikes value. (lol mines a 2003 Van Van) With a £1000 bike value as the min.So it would be a cash deposit of £1500.(Ahum...please look above and read bit about "skint") I cant afford that. So I am going down the Indemnity route. Insurance Indemnity for me is £200. A RAC Deposit is £350. 25 page CDP is £195  and £12 for something else. Total for a bike worth a grand is £757. Thats the bad news. Good news,upon returning your CDP and bike to the Uk,I get £456 back.The CDP only costing £301

At that price,there is no competition between CDP and TIP,based on those figures.
I have asked Rachel if they will sponsor me the CDP, (hey you have to ask). And she said to put my case forward nearer the time. As a CDP quote is only good for 3 months. And they take about 4 weeks to process. ( Yaaaaaaaaawn)

Wemoto,the parts company.Have sent me an e mail today,my new shinny bits are in the post. o Ive waffled on too much.This story needs some porn. I mean another photo.

Tomorrow I should find out what level of support BCB Wales are providing. I've got everything crossed there. BCB make some top,top kit. On the good news front. Just had a lady called Debs contact me from an advert I placed on Freecycle. She has some fabric panniers and top bag for me.Its called "free" cycle and we love it!!! No doubt will pop some pics up tomorrow. Need to sort a sponsored Spada Sting and a good jacket now. I'm getting there.I am doing this challenge for wounded servicemen. Most of whom have lost limbs.Please spare a few $$$ ££ or Euro ? Or are you tight? Click to donate. Donate to Help for Heroes

Is anyone reading this? Or am I rattling onto myself? I guess i will never know....