Comments on: Pains, trains and automobiles (travels in the heart of the Sahara) http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/ An audio adventure through Africa Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:11:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: bex http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-1029 bex Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:35:46 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-1029 Wow, a swimming pool - that would have been fantastic! (When we got to Terjit Oasis, we lay there in the pools for a good long while - could almost see the steam sizzling off us.) Yep, I'm glad we didn't try and cycle that stretch. And I agree with you on the train journey - it was a truly amazing experience. Cheers Luke. Wow, a swimming pool – that would have been fantastic! (When we got to Terjit Oasis, we lay there in the pools for a good long while – could almost see the steam sizzling off us.) Yep, I’m glad we didn’t try and cycle that stretch. And I agree with you on the train journey – it was a truly amazing experience. Cheers Luke.

]]> By: Luke http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-1020 Luke Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:45:12 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-1020 We had a similar experience in Choum as you did when travelling from Nouadhibou to Atar. It was the hottest place I've ever been, and after the sandy train ride from Nouadhibou, was entirely exhausting. Our taxi left Choum at around midday as well, and the heat was almost unbearable. I remember how empty the desert was around there - there were tracks criss-crossing each other and I don't know if you would have found your way if you had tried cycling it! When we arrived in Atar our hostel had a cold water swimming pool under a tarp - the best feeling ever was lazing in there for hours cooling off! The whole thing was worth it for the train journey - probably the most amazing journey I've ever made. We had a similar experience in Choum as you did when travelling from Nouadhibou to Atar. It was the hottest place I’ve ever been, and after the sandy train ride from Nouadhibou, was entirely exhausting. Our taxi left Choum at around midday as well, and the heat was almost unbearable. I remember how empty the desert was around there – there were tracks criss-crossing each other and I don’t know if you would have found your way if you had tried cycling it! When we arrived in Atar our hostel had a cold water swimming pool under a tarp – the best feeling ever was lazing in there for hours cooling off!
The whole thing was worth it for the train journey – probably the most amazing journey I’ve ever made.

]]> By: bex http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-436 bex Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:43:13 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-436 Thank you Johison Thank you Johison

]]> By: Johison http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-432 Johison Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:03:41 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-432 Wonderful views, is it the real stroy. may be africa is the nice place in the world. jetravail.com Wonderful views, is it the real stroy. may be africa is the nice place in the world.
jetravail.com

]]> By: bex http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-430 bex Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:33:15 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-430 Chris - here it is, the trucker's hitch (for southpaws), with Huw describing / miming and me typing: Hold the attached end that's dangling down with your left hand at the point where you want to do the hitch. About a metre lower down, take a small bite of the rope in your right hand. Bring the bite up level with your left hand. Then cross the bite of rope over the top of the attached rope and hold it there. Then, with your left hand, from below the bite, wrap the attached rope two full turns around the bite (coming from behind and below and going in front and above). You're now left with a big loop in the rope. Now, twist that loop two or three times and you're left with a small eye at the bottom. Now take the free end, make another bite and thread it through the hole at the bottom. Pull enough through so it can be hooked onto what you want then yank the loose tail. Alternatively, <a href="http://www.ehow.com/video_2355281_tie-truckers-hitch-knot.html" rel="nofollow">watch this</a>. Or use a ratchet strap :) Anything else? xx Chris – here it is, the trucker’s hitch (for southpaws), with Huw describing / miming and me typing:

Hold the attached end that’s dangling down with your left hand at the point where you want to do the hitch. About a metre lower down, take a small bite of the rope in your right hand. Bring the bite up level with your left hand. Then cross the bite of rope over the top of the attached rope and hold it there. Then, with your left hand, from below the bite, wrap the attached rope two full turns around the bite (coming from behind and below and going in front and above). You’re now left with a big loop in the rope. Now, twist that loop two or three times and you’re left with a small eye at the bottom. Now take the free end, make another bite and thread it through the hole at the bottom. Pull enough through so it can be hooked onto what you want then yank the loose tail.

Alternatively, watch this. Or use a ratchet strap :)

Anything else?

xx

]]> By: bex http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-429 bex Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:22:38 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-429 Thanks for all the comments, folks. The flu is better and we'll be setting off (pre-dawn) tomorrow for a short day to an oasis. Then on towards Nouakchott after that... Harry, if you ever get the chance I really do recommend it. Maybe in January or something :) Marlene, glad you liked the sound! And thanks for the comment - yep, Mauritania is a surprising country. Laurence, thank you! Ohh, that is very, very cute. I bet Hugh is Huw and Leo is Bec :) Send them lots of love at the end of their canal expedition! We still have their drawings on our bar bag map cases and we're sending them something soon... Thanks Roy! Steve - heh, on balance, I think I'll try and stick to the drinking more than I can cycle in future. I suspect it's more fun. David and Val - Huw is well rested and just has an interesting looking eye now. And yes - the phrase "The Kindness of Strangers" (I've always meant to read it and never quite got around to it) often pops into my head these days! Mum - yes, we found the airconditioned bedroom (read the last paragraph again, before your glass of wine!) and it's been lovely... Glad you're back on the internet! Isabel - thank you, what a lovely comment. xx Thanks for all the comments, folks. The flu is better and we’ll be setting off (pre-dawn) tomorrow for a short day to an oasis. Then on towards Nouakchott after that…

Harry, if you ever get the chance I really do recommend it. Maybe in January or something :)

Marlene, glad you liked the sound! And thanks for the comment – yep, Mauritania is a surprising country.

Laurence, thank you! Ohh, that is very, very cute. I bet Hugh is Huw and Leo is Bec :) Send them lots of love at the end of their canal expedition! We still have their drawings on our bar bag map cases and we’re sending them something soon…

Thanks Roy!

Steve – heh, on balance, I think I’ll try and stick to the drinking more than I can cycle in future. I suspect it’s more fun.

David and Val – Huw is well rested and just has an interesting looking eye now. And yes – the phrase “The Kindness of Strangers” (I’ve always meant to read it and never quite got around to it) often pops into my head these days!

Mum – yes, we found the airconditioned bedroom (read the last paragraph again, before your glass of wine!) and it’s been lovely… Glad you’re back on the internet!

Isabel – thank you, what a lovely comment.

xx

]]> By: isabel http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-427 isabel Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:03:04 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-427 wow lovely story of your train ride and hard decision of cycling or not cycling, a pleasure ti read and beautiful to rediscover Mauritania through your eyes wow lovely story of your train ride and hard decision of cycling or not cycling, a pleasure ti read and beautiful to rediscover Mauritania through your eyes

]]> By: Sue Sumner http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-426 Sue Sumner Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:30:56 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-426 Wow! Want to know if you found your airconditioned bedroom - and en suite bathroom which I am sure you sorely need! Hope Huw better now. Nothing worse than flu in the heat. I completely agree with Val and David about being indebted to all those who have helped you. What it is to be a parent, let alone one with a mad daughter like mine and an equally mad boyfriend like Huw!! Wow! Want to know if you found your airconditioned bedroom – and en suite bathroom which I am sure you sorely need! Hope Huw better now. Nothing worse than flu in the heat. I completely agree with Val and David about being indebted to all those who have helped you. What it is to be a parent, let alone one with a mad daughter like mine and an equally mad boyfriend like Huw!!

]]> By: David/Val Williams http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-425 David/Val Williams Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:28:43 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-425 What an interesting and gripping story! It resonates well with the title of Kate Adie's autobiography "The Kindness of Strangers" which we have on our bookshelf. We are so glad that you (belatedly) took Shikali's advice and, as concerned parents, we are indebted to him and the good people of Choum for making you so welcome. Hope Huw has recovered from flue and injury and that you are now both suitably rehydrated and recovered from this latest and difficult leg of your travels. What an interesting and gripping story! It resonates well with the title of Kate Adie’s autobiography “The Kindness of Strangers” which we have on our bookshelf. We are so glad that you (belatedly) took Shikali’s advice and, as concerned parents, we are indebted to him and the good people of Choum for making you so welcome.
Hope Huw has recovered from flue and injury and that you are now both suitably rehydrated and recovered from this latest and difficult leg of your travels.

]]> By: Steve T http://www.listentoafrica.com/blog/travels-in-the-heart-of-the-sahara-or-pains-trains-and-automobiles-06082009/comment-page-1/#comment-424 Steve T Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:47:31 +0000 http://www.listentoafrica.com/?p=3217#comment-424 "Never cycle further than you can drink" seems to be the saraha rule (not like "never drink more than you can cycle" as a rule for the pub?) Love the soundtrack - you can almost feel the crisp white sheets smoothing away in the background... “Never cycle further than you can drink” seems to be the saraha rule (not like “never drink more than you can cycle” as a rule for the pub?)

Love the soundtrack – you can almost feel the crisp white sheets smoothing away in the background…

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