Things we have learnt from Billing Aquadrome, Land Rover Enthusiast show, 21-23 August 2006:

1. We have a very waterproof and gale resistant dome tent (pitty it's not going to Africa) don't know if you heard about the rain storm on Sat. but it was pretty epic! Gazebos trashed left right and centre, and a few roof tents & caravans taken out by falling branches!

2. Very impressed with our MSR primus stove - courtesy of Ing's Dad - which we used for boiling water. Boiled kettle in no time at all (a minute or 2) and used very little gas. I recon it will give the Kelly kettle a run for its money! We ran it on Coleman White gas, but will also work on petrol, diesel, paraffin, kerosene etc so very versatile. We are definitely taking it with as our backup/quick cuppa stove.

3. Very impressed with Engel too. Supplied by www.mps4x4store.co.uk. Ran it on Fri evening and most of Saturday (even started to freeze) with very little impact on auxillary battery even with little or no driving to charge.

4. Off road course was way more extreme than I would have thought! (went through it twice in a "camping neighbours" series III ex MOD - quite an experience I can tell you with long sections wading through the deep lakes and mud pits - glad I didn't put Cathey through all that unnecessary punishment as I doubt it would have done her any good (apparently although fitted with snorkel she is still not entirely wade proof)

Also very enjoyable braai on sat with Bruce & Sarah & Roelf & Joanine & quick beer on Sunday too so was good to meet them!

We did pick up a bit of kit but nothing major - mainly camping gear: folding plastic basin, washing bucket, braai stand/grid, toaster for gas cooker, folding table, utensils, rechargeable electric camping lamp, recovery bow shackles, new waterproof seat covers (Sorry Matthew but the old ones HAD to go - legendary though they were!), NATO style black water jerries (7.50 each - good price!)

Our major purchase was moulded floor acoustic (& thermal) lining system for Cathey which will cover bear metal interior floors, seats, gearbox etc & cut out some noise and heat from engine. (If interested look at www.wrightoffroad.com) Quite excited about this and should make a big difference to Cathey's looks and comfort levels.

Also have ordered our roof rack finally (yay!!!) from Brownchurch. Should be ready in a weeks time and will be fitting rooftent, side awning (which we are picking up this weekend) & highlift + our new spotlights at the same time at Brownchurch www.brownchurch.co.uk. So hopefully she will look the business at Salisbury!!!!!! Lastly ordered our GPS too www.blokesstuff.com. Should be arriving next week!

Cathey is still in Scorpions having brakes et al fixed over the weekend and won't be ready till Mon. So no work on her for us this weekend. Oh well, more to do next weekend! We too have altered our route after much research on www.horizonsunlimited.com. Still going via Morocco and proceeding along the same route as far as Niger where we will turn north (?) through Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan etc as the Niger, Chad, Sudan route is a definite NO GO! Quite a long roundabout route to start off with but should be worth it!

Back soon

Rob & Inga