Firstly a big, big thank you to Sebastian (Inga's brother) and Niel for babysitiing Cathey for the past few months - and SA dentist below them! (We have been storing her at their place in Reading due to space and security reasons) Also a huge thank you to the 2 of them for helping us out working on Cathey and also for all the ideas and suggestions. Also thanks for putting us up over the past 2 weekends in Reading. It has been really good for us to be able to work out there on our preparations and don't worry, we will be back soon! [Cathey is temporarily down with us in London for a month or so]

She still looks much the same. We have added a bit of chequer plating here and there, mounted gas cooker to rear door, installed rear mud flaps plus rear folding access step. www.all4wheelsgear.com Internally we have repainted rear ply wood with white gloss which visually made a huge impression plus coated the roof and sides with foil lined bubble wrap insulation. Also fitted some carpeting to cab roof on top of insulation. Also fitted Engel fridge. www.mps4x4store.co.uk

Next weekend we will start on the mechanical side. No major worries except brake fluid leak to inside of front left wheel. [Had a full diagnostic check done by Scorpion Racing and thankfully no major surprises. A few minor faults that we were aware of, minor wear and tear as expected on a vehicle of this age as well as the brake problem mentioned above. Currently in at Scorpions having brakes done, wheel bearings adjusted, engine manifold to exhaust "blow" fixed etc..]

Still havent mounted roof tent although we have now aquired a nice side awning too. Just waiting on fitment of roof rack which has now been ordered from Brownchurch. www.brownchurch.co.uk

Other preps like passport applications and medical vacinations ect have started too. Still aiming on leaving mid dec to end jan. Cant really see us being later than then. Haven't completely finalised our route yet either but we're still looking at starting in Morocco and somehow crossing the Sahara towards Sudan and then down the east coast. Hopefully we will have our own web site up by the end of august (now done :-) by which time we would like to have Cathey almost ready as we are planning a 10 day jaunt to Scotland & maybe Ireland!

ps filled up Cathey yesterday for the 1st time since Bristol with over 1000 kms done - not too bad!

Till next time

Rob & Inga

PS: APOLOGIES TO NIEL FOR SPELLING HIS NAME INCORRECTLY IN PREVIOUS POSTINGS (LOOKING BACK IN PHOTO ALBUMS AND POSTINGS I SEE I HAVE SPELT IT 2 DIFFERENT WAYS, APPARENTLY THE CORRECT SPELLING IS:........ KARL-HEINZ!!!