Some photos from along the way

As you may imagine, when driving through a large number of countries (it probably doesn't matter which ones, unless one is Belgium) you are likely to see some unsual or interesting sights. When Team Steel Camel's wheels were rolling through the Bamako Rally we saw some odd and memorable things, some of which we were lucky enough to catch on camera and wanted to share with you here.

We have left out the ones with one or the other of our thumbs on the lens, and picked a selection for your viewing pleasure...

Ah yes, the sturdy camel. Graceful in its every movement. Reliable and hardy enough to get you across the harshest, most barren environment. I think this was in Kent somewhere actually...

Just another sunny day in the Atlas mountains. And yes, there may have been a quick pit-stop for a snowball fight.

The calm, endless desert, nothing for hundreds of miles in any direction...

...except some land mines. Naturally. The desert wasn't always suffering from sandstorms, or confronting us with warning signs for land mines. Having camped out under the biggest sky you can see, it can be both awe-inspiring to see the morning view, and worrying to see how close to the edge you had parked in the pitch-darkness...

The desert throws up many challenges, some that even the mightiest 4x4 would struggle to stand up to. That's why choosing old bangers was the only way to go. Surely, lighter cars would sink less in the sand?

We came across some vehicles that, whilst basic, still paid attention to the finer details. Where would we be without some classy hubs?

Having made it, a touch over 5,000 miles to a little village in Mali - Dinfara - we were not expecting the welcome we received; an entire village out to greet us. There was music and dancing, and warm and inquisitive smiles from the children. In support of Team Zissou we asked that the profit from the sale of our car went to the projects being undertaken in Dinfara - a new school roof and a clean water well. With the sale of our cars there were sufficient funds to complete both projects, with a little left over.