We can only echo what so many others have already said : WOW! You are triffic! And you seem to never say never to anything!! If it's there, you do it / eat it / smoke it / see it. Well done.

Hope the European weather won't be too unkind to you - we have had buckets of rain in Cyprus this year. It's doing it as we speak ...

Bright Blessings and may your Beast take you safely to your final destination ... Portugal!

OUTSTANDING! Well done on getting to Cairo. Now you can relax after dark Africa? Enjoy the rest of your fantastic journey.

CONGATULATIONS / 100 DAYS CAPE TO CAIRO !!!! You are both a very brave and determined couple. Our admiration is boundless as is that of your friends and family. You have created a legacy of extraordinary memories from an adventure that most people would only dream of undertaking. Now relax and take it easy for the "beyond" section. Looking forward to your return some time in the future. Regards

Hi Dad & Marina. Thank you for the updates. You guys are seeing some really amazing sights. I have a new understanding of the expression "deep, dark Africa"! Sorry about all the punctures Dad, I wish Trev & Kev were there to help you. I love your beard, you look like a real explorer! Enjoy your adventure, take care. LOL Debz x

Hi John and Marina. We have loved following you wonderful adventures. Great pictures and blogs. Continue to take care. We have just returned from a fabulous weekend diving in Rocktail and Sodwana, just awesome. What a lot Africa has to offer and we have only glanced a tip of the iceburg, unlike you. kind regards John and Mary Richardson

Are you amazing, or what?! Pancakes for tea ... gods!

I've taken the liberty of reading out an extract of your travellog at our writers' group today - the bit about the Lallibela churches - and all present (32) were enchanted. I think you will do well with your book!

Please, please take care of yourselves. You are precious to us!

Hi Guys,

A good an wise decision to push on to Axum - for god's sake do not take chances in these areas. Why not suggest to some of the local indigenous that they emigrate to RSA like everyone else in Africa - that way all future travellers will not be hassled. Thanks for a great and interesting blog - more photos please if you can. Cheers. G and L

Hi John and Marina. Just caught up again. Sounds like things are going well. Have you seen any Ethiopian marathon runners training? As you know they and the Kenyan's are the most proficient athletes at this distance (and the shorter runs as well). Anyway, weather improving. Was extremely disruptive. Beverley was covered in piles of snow and the place was turned upside down - chaos. Am going to SA on Tuesday and will miss not going for a few beers and dinner with you. Will have one for you in your absence. Enjoy and look forward to your updates. Cheers

Dear John and Marina, I am just catching up with everything after my time away and have loved reading about your Ethiopian adventures esp. about the Bahir Dar section. It looks and sounds like a magnificent area and with so much history as well. I hope that the beast's wheels, engine, etc remain stone free and intact and that you will continue your journey safe and sound. I am looking forward to your Lalibela phase, I have always found any pictures and information about that area fascinating. Our very happy news is that Andrew received very decent matric results and so we can all relax a bit and plan his gap year this year, knowing that he has been accepted to do journalism at Rhodes next year. Andrew's mom is very relieved.

Lots of love to you both. Di

Hi Marina and John

Thanks for keeping us updated, both are looking relaxed (John you could be Father Xmas this year for your grand children :) ) let us know when in April you will be in Beverley.

Lots of love

Luiza

Dear John & Marina

We have been following your trip with great interest. We now want to wish you a good continuation and no more car failures. Happy New Year. Our "Nero" is still dancing and onto his 6th wedding ceremony while South Africa is burning. Bon Voyage from Anna, Franco, Heinz

Good to see that all the problems with the vehicle now behind you. Lots and lots of rain and thunderstorms in JHBG. Goint to watch final cricket test at Wanderers on thursday and let's hope for a favourable result. Was waiting for your blog and thank god it arrived - we were suffering from withdrawal symptoms !!! Keep going and take care and remain in good health.