Joni and I have talked about driving to Europe from first Banjul and now Freetown for years. We never had the opportunity until now. Sadly because of the current decline of business in Sierra Leone and more serious a blatant breach of trust between Joni and her local business partner.
The main plan was to leave Freetown August 4'rd hoping to stop over in Kindia and Kankan (Guinea) arriving Bamako in Mali late August 6'th. Then spending a week touring Mail seeing Mopti, The Dogons, Djenne and whatever comes up ending back in Bamako before making a big rush West through Senegal to Banjul.
After a short brake to visit old friends, pick up Pat Walmsley and get an oil change for the Patrol, we go to Dakar for a few days to visit Jutta Siegert. Then to St. Louis for old times sake.
Mauretania
Morocco
Spain: Ceuta Jerez, Sevilla, Badajoz, Madrid, Barcelona, Andorra
France
Italy: Como
Austria: Roland Ulreich
Check republic: Prag and Krakow
Germany: Leipzig and Dredsden
Danmark: Nykoebing Falster, Koebenhavn, Vejle, Skagen
Sierra Leone: It rained almost all the way to Pamelap.
Guinea: Mostly transit to Mali. We revisited Kindia and the waterfall was more beautiful during the rains.
Mali: Djenne, Dogons and Mopti lovely. Western Mali challenging, very bad roads.
Senegal: Pleasant revisit of Sali, Goree and St. Louis
The Gambia: Nice to visit old friends.
Mauretania: Great experiences Atar, Tirjit, Chingetti and Benechap.
Morocco: Western Sahara interesting, but long. Berber towns very pleasant. High Atlas breathtaking. The coast great expect for Casablanca.
Ceuta: Very easy border crossing
Gibraltar: A pleasant day.
Spain: Good rest in Madrid, but unfortunately got robbed by a "policeman", Barcelona and Cadaques great.
France: Pleasant as usual, cruised up the coast to Italy.
Italy: Ligurian coast pretty. Alps and Lago Maggiore very nice.
Schweitz: Bernadino pass spectacular.
Austria and Check Republic sadly had to be left to another time.
Germany: Basically transit to Danmark but nice stays in Heidenheim and Schleswig. Germany seemed cleaner and neater than I remember.
Denmark: Finally arrived Vejle after 8 weeks on the road.
We could easily have used another month.