Sounds of the wildlife made it impossible to sleep much longer than the sun, and the heat soon came sneaking into the tent as well. We haven´t been using our sleeping bags for the last few nights, as the climate is getting warmer and warmer. After breakfast and coffee we soon got company from some local shepherd kids. They stood completely still just outside our camp for 45 minutes watching us with big eyes. As we packed the car we gave them honey and our kettle, both objects demanding thorough instructions for use. We are not sure if they understood any of it, but after trying the honey, the youngest one of them showed a happy smile. 

The last 40 kilometers into Kayes took much longer than ecxpected, as the tyre that Cape to Cape fixed last night punctured again. This happened in the middle of a village, and the locals swiftly gathered around to look at their peculiar visitors. Finally making it into Kayes we stopped at a tyre repair shop to have both wheels fixed. We also made a visit to an ATM to obtain some local currency, Johan traded his cap for a water melon and we had freshly butchered lunch at a hotel.

The Mali people are by far the friendliest we have encountered so far. At every village we pass, people smile and wave at us. We feel very welcome here and are privilegded to visit their country. We pity the rest of the participants that decided to turn around in Morocco. Everyone in the group that continued agree that the real african experience didn´t really start until after we passed the morocco-mauritanian border. 

The drive to Diema was only 350 km on paved roads, and we made it there just after sundown. This days camp was set to be at a local British missionary´s, running a school and learning centre for kids and adults. An enormous crowd of kids greeted us when arriving, and we got a proper introduction to African drums, dancing and hospitality. 

All teams put whatever food they had on the table, and we even got to taste the local beer. Next stop Bamako, so there is no need for saving anything. The party lasted long enough, and we are very grateful to our hostess. Pam Young, who has lived here for ten years and basically runs the place on her own, will come with us in our car to Bamko tomorow, along with Andy who´s here to help. Johan had a long talk with him after discovering a dusty Triumph Scrambler that he had driven here all the way from England. 

Another day has gone by and we are now only 350 km from Bamako, our final stop on this journey.