A quick recap of our desert training adventure...
The Dunes -- Sadly we were split up on the dune training day as our 4x4 axel was about to break (nothing to do with us bashing it around the dunes the previous day). All went really well although we seemed to jinx the cars we rode in and spent a lot of time learning how to use the shovel to dig out the tires!
The desert party -- as a farewell to Rissani a big party was thrown for the TOTAL Gazelles in the desert. Highlights included line dancing under the stars,
We Are the World with all arms locked and lots of swaying, and the song and dance that greated our slow cooked lamb meal.
The challenge -- we won!! Actually we came in second but that was because we got stuck in the sand for 20 minutes... It was great fun working on the challenge with Cat and Claire. Who would have thought a "balise" (in this case a shovel stuck in the sand) would bring us such pleasure...
The return -- hairpin turns in the pitch dark with cliffs on the right and no guard rails. Enough said... The situation was lightened by some liberal use of the "talky walkies" as the convoy took turns singing their national songs... Not sure if
She'll be coming round the mountain and
Wham! rap qualify as national song, but we did get some positive feedback!
Next step -- buy sleeping bag, tent, etc... About 10 days until departure!! Off to bed now - getting slowly used to the 4 am start times!
The article notes that the rally will be 70 team (actually it is about 100) who will spend 8 days in the Sahara in Morocco covering 2,500 kilometers (we think this may be more as it probably does not include the drive from Paris to Sete for the ferry). Apparently a psychologist will be accompanying us on the rally! We can't wait to read what he writes!
Line dancing under the stars...
