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Tunisia June 2008 - 'deep penetration' trip
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Alex E
Holy Bratwurst!
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Club Tropicana (the drink's aren't free)
Posts: 655
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So I’ve finally got around to collecting some of my photo’s and thought I’d give you a brief tale of my experience... (photo's will follow)
DAY 1 - I set off full of fuel from home at 1am to pick Matt up for 2am Wednesday morning. It was pouring down with rain and on my journey of 35 miles I avoided a dead cat and 2 fallen trees (what a start!)
Arrived at Matts only to find he bought the whole of Morrisons and a spare Defender to fit inside an already loaded double cab, alas we managed to cram it all in and away we went.
After a few hours of driving we thought that we could make Dover on one tank of fuel so risked running out, after no services for a fair number of miles we realised that we weren’t going to make it and after a little panicking we managed to find a garage to fill up and proceed to catch the 6:45 Dover – Calais ferry without even showing our passports.
We landed in Calais and drove non-stop (apart from re-fuelling) to Milau which with no traffic and an average speed of about 58mph! we arrived in the hotel at 5:30
Once checked in we then went to park the truck in the secure car park only to find that we were 4 inches too tall. A quick removal of the tent ladder meant we were just under the door and off for a wash.
We had a good meal (despite the flies) in the main tourist area around the fountain and then off to bed.
Day 2 - we checked out of the hotel and set the sat nav to the Milau bridge, after a zillion photo’s of the road up to, under, and around the awe inspiring bridge, we went to the tourist centre on top of the hill, for a brief walk around where we encountered our first issue, the remote alarm key fob had decided to stop working, luckily the car was un-locked and we had the spare set of keys!
We left the tourist site and finally wasted the 5.5 Euros to cross over the bridge and headed for the mountains, (a good few squiggly roads on the basic Garmin road maps). Again the views were fantastic and after a few hours of driving we found a remote pizzeria set at the bottom of what looked like king Kong’s stomping ground. We deciphered the menu and decided upon a pizza each, only to be told that they didn’t have any – pork chops it was then!
Once lunch was over we drove to Montpelier which was fairly plain, then toward Marseille where we found a very large fort and eventually a camp site for the night, once the tents were up we decided to sit with a refreshing cold Magners and cook our first meal of the trip whilst being eaten alive by mozzys having their first meal of our trip.
DAY 3 – Was an 8am set off to meet the rest of the crew at the rendezvous, and after packing away the tent we were then locked in the campsite as they wouldn’t open the gate until 8:30. After much Frenglish and us thinking of taking the barrier with us, they finally took the funny money and let us on our way. Once we found all the others we took our tickets and headed for the boat. Once in the port we spent most of the time rushing to a stop, and laughing at the over loaded vehicles on show.
Once on the boat we spent the rest of the time drinking copious amounts of alcohol and wondering whether this med cruise was actually a train.
Day 4 - The start was a bit manic with us all rushing to a halt trying to get ourselves, and our vehicles through the farcical customs system. After much frustration Chris and I were left at the front of the queue with no signature, and no one willing to serve us so we decided to block the hole exit until they came to us, needless to say it worked like a charm and we were swiftly into another queue! This may all seem a pain in the arse, but the end result was well worth it.
We finally got out of the port and on our way into Tunis centre where many cash points were visited with us all trying to get some even funnier money. Once the only working cash point in Tunis was found and raided, we went on the open road to our first hotel.
DAY 5 – a 2am arrival meant that some sensible ones went for an early night, whilst others decided to wait for the sun to rise (with a beer, or two). The late arrival meant that none of us had seen what terrain we were in, and only a couple knew what to expect.
Once all together and loaded we headed for the first bit of off roading, which consisted of a rocky mountain pass, Iain and I walked the pass moving boulders, removing a spiky bush and making sure it was safe (ish). Nearly a mile was clocked up when a tricky section was successfully driven, and then a un –passable section was discovered, we deliberated bridging it, but eventually decided that as we had been in France for some time retreat was our only option. We eventually spent the day driving south east ending up on our first wild camp. We did some clearing of a fallen palm tree to make fire and started dinner.
DAY 6 – this consisted of driving on corrugated roads and rocky plains, and HobGoblin having the first casualty of the trip (his front passenger tyre)
Day 7 – Much time had passed since the first reason popped into our heads about coming on this adventure to drive in sand, today was the day. We parked up to let our tyres down and off we were to start playing, needless to say after a few hours we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves with the rope having the time of its life and the first taste of the intense 40+ temperatures. Today was the day we discovered the dunes and our second wild camp!
Day 8 – Once awake, as this was a 2 night stay we de-rigged some of the weight from the cars as discocuzzy and I decided to trek over to the fort and try our hand at the bigger dunes, with the temperature getting to 48 and the crests of the dunes becoming invisible, it was clear to us that care needs to be taken, once we got out of the big dunes we decided to drive back to the fort where the others had been watching us sweat from a comfortable distance, holding freezing cold beverages! We then spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the local area where we found a desert fox! As we were sweltering hot we decided to go back to the campsite we passed the previous day and take a dip in the natural desert spring, 2 cans of traditional ring pull fanta and an hour long soak made all the heat disappear which re-freshed us for our gruelling night of cooking a meal, drinking and having fun.
Day 9 – We packed up camp and headed for a well earned night in a proper air-conditioned bed and cold shower, we headed for the direct off road approach which was scuppered by the constantly moving surroundings, the road that used to be there was now covered in serious sized dunes and as we had to cover a lot of ground we opted to stay out of the 48 degree heat. So we stuck to the roads which eventually opened up across the salt lake and into the hotel.
Day 10 – Today we were off to Rommel’s pass, a steep 40’s concrete road which climbed up from the salt flats into the safe territory of the mountains, we spent a lot of time out of the cars absorbing the amazing views, taking pictures and throwing stones into the water hole far below (discocuzzy - 2 Alex E – 0) Once at the summit we entered the cave, I walked 100 paces in one direction and couldn’t see the end of it, then 300+ in the other, after being in the cold for a while we decided to go back to the opening to let someone else have the torch, Paul & Bob were next in and they found that the tunnel continues further into the sandstone than we anticipated, (a further recce is needed on the next time I go!)
Once all accounted for we got back in the vehicles and headed into the maze they call Tunis with pin point accuracy, parking outside our hotel next to 2 armed guards.
Day 11 – Boarding the Ferry was much easier this time with minimal delay, we had another smooth crossing, and some more cold drinks.
Day 12 – getting off the ferry was also no hassle and after meeting up to say our farewells Matt and I drove home.
From door to door we did 3010miles. (morocco was 4960miles)
This was an experience I’ll never forget and I’m already saving for the next time....
I thoroughly recommend visiting Milau, it’s a great town, the hotel as secure parking (not that it looks like you need it) the bridge is awesome and they’re all good roads on the way down.
Best things I took were a box of McCoy’s, a box of chewing gum, Stagg Chilli & Rice, the rope of hope and a decent Fridge (sorry Matt your on the list somewhere lol).
A big Thank you to the Organisation team  and everyone who made the trip what it was, and if you’re still reading this you’ve either been to Tunisia or you’re thinking of going. Trust me you need to go! or have a VERY good excuse why not. I'm Powered by........Diesel 
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 Thu Jul 03 2008 7:24pm |
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DSL
Joined: 11 May 2006
Location: In the Dog House!
Posts: 9536
 
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Alex E wrote:we opted to stay out of the 48 degree heat
Wot no AC in the Defender!!!  Honda Dog U better DUCK!!!!!
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 7:35pm |
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DiscoStu
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Posts: 6345
 
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Alex E wrote:if you’re still reading this you’ve either been to Tunisia or you’re thinking of going. Trust me you need to go! or have a VERY good excuse why not.
 
Great, innit 
I'll never forget the view as I walked out of the hotel in Matmata Black Betty Tunisia 1 2 3 Power by 
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 7:45pm |
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simon
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Do you really need to know ?
Posts: 14278
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Nice diary Alex
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 7:47pm |
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discocuzzy
Joined: 02 Feb 2008
Location: surrey
Posts: 736
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Well done Alex, great rendition..DSL...the coolbox/ power supply combo worked an absolute dream, in fact the lads with fridges were so impressed that they are looking at using a similar set up as a back up.
Mailed Halfords about a group buy today and they are looking into providing some pricing.
Looking at an initial purchase of 5...you interested? "you cannot teach stupid people to do clever things"
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 8:39pm |
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Ent
Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Location: Up the Khyber Pass
Posts: 302
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Nice one Alex, top diary extract but what I need to know is how many pies per tank did BCB get through? Is that your head or as your neck been sick?
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 8:52pm |
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DSL
Joined: 11 May 2006
Location: In the Dog House!
Posts: 9536
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dc def interested!!! Honda Dog U better DUCK!!!!!
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 6:45am |
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Alex E
Holy Bratwurst!
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Club Tropicana (the drink's aren't free)
Posts: 655
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I do have AC, but why would i want to sit in air con all day? we only had it on when we were either going very slowly or when it was baking hot.
it was an experience to drive at 80mph with the front vents open, the windows down at 2am and still have it feel like someone's pointing a hairdryer at you. I'm Powered by........Diesel
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 7:53am |
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Bodsy
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Have Vodka Will Travel....
Posts: 5378
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Great report, more pics please
TDV6 HSE Black, Black Wheels /MTR's(in the shed!), Black RRS front/rear LR badge (tbf) Black Leather, Black Glass, Black TowB, Shiny Tasmods, Dull Mantec, White (& Orange) Reflective D3 Sticker, Black steering wheel badge, black air intake. Optima & Traxide dual battery setup.
Need black RRS wheel centre caps.
Now with added Engel.....
We D3, therefore we are..........
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 10:00am |
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Alex E
Holy Bratwurst!
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Club Tropicana (the drink's aren't free)
Posts: 655
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i've got to reduce all mine as i can't up-load them when they're in the original size.
Just sign up, pictures never do it justice  I'm Powered by........Diesel
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 3:29pm |
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DG
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff !
Posts: 13693
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Nice fella...... nice Powered by............................
.
I've been accused of vulgarity. I say that's bullshit 
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 4:26pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9630
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If anyone wants a very easy way to resize pictures, either individually or as a group or whole folder, then down load this. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloa...rtoys.mspx ( the image resizer is on a link on the right of the page)
One of the features is a very good resizer, you just right click on the album you want to resize, choose resize and then pick the screen size you are using. Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
Last edited by Gareth on Fri Jul 04 2008 4:59pm; edited 1 time in total
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 4:32pm |
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Alex E
Holy Bratwurst!
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Location: Club Tropicana (the drink's aren't free)
Posts: 655
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will do that mate, cheers! I'm Powered by........Diesel
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 4:58pm |
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Bodsy
Joined: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Have Vodka Will Travel....
Posts: 5378
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Don't forget to have the originals backed up just incase you want a big printed image in the future! TDV6 HSE Black, Black Wheels /MTR's(in the shed!), Black RRS front/rear LR badge (tbf) Black Leather, Black Glass, Black TowB, Shiny Tasmods, Dull Mantec, White (& Orange) Reflective D3 Sticker, Black steering wheel badge, black air intake. Optima & Traxide dual battery setup.
Need black RRS wheel centre caps.
Now with added Engel.....
We D3, therefore we are..........
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 5:00pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Joined: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bob the Builders 'ere
Posts: 9630
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No need Bods, it creates a resized copy of the original with a different file name.
Of course we should all back up our files regularly anyway  Silver TDV6 HSE
Pepper White Cooper S Convertible
Old English White MGB GT
Ex Military 109 Series 2a Soft Top
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| Fri Jul 04 2008 5:05pm |
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