Happy Birthday Carpet...

Today was a stand down day on the trip as our quest for the Saharan sands was about to be realised... Erfoud is known for its proximity to the first dunes of the desert and for the plethora of fossils which are to be found in the area. Not a local retailer can be found who doesn't peddle stuff made from the million year old remains of the sea creatures which used to live here. The landscape scenery is however breathtaking and a bit like T E Lawrence we set off into the desert to spread the word to our little foreign friends about all that is good about Britain.

Unlike Lawrence, we only got 10ft into the Saharan sand. When Paul fell off his bike the rest of us decided that a few photos would suffice and with the help of an amiable chap who then surprisingly flogged us some fossils we took the snaps then headed back through a blast furnace of heat to the welcoming arms of the hotel bar and pool. The dunes of the west Sahara, sculpted by the wind, are stunning and there is a surreal feeling of being on a different planet when surrounded by them. 

The idea of spending two nights in one location, and one with a bar at that, is

looking ever more like a move of genius. An afternoon spent observing the local wildlife seen here in its Bedouin tent gave us an insight into the lives of these nomadic people. This chap certainly seems to be well fed and is content noisily sleeping away the heat of the afternoon. The religious no beer policy doesn't seem to apply to this bloke.

We celebrated Carpet Mark's birthday today and he was underwhelmed by the lack of cards and presents bought for him by his biking friends.

A bit more video action for those of who who like their RLB on the move...
RLB6