25 January - Update from Jos

Finally some news from Jos. His phone is playing up, so we got this one via email. Here it is:

I stayed with the big pack today of about 14 people and we reached Aswan in 3h45 from Idfu averaging about 30 kpmh. Road very busy and not as scenic as yesterday. Aswan is quite big & busy and it is the 1st night we sleeping in a proper campsite with grass and proper showers.

My cycling legs are improving and feel generally strong, my bum has survived the 1st few 7 & 8 hour days. had quite bad flu in luxor but dosed with vitamin C and now fine. We reached our 1st 1000 km today, can quite believe it and getting in daily routine now. Wake at 5am breakfast at 6am and start cycling at 7am. lunch is normally halfway, so on a easy day it is at 10am and camp at 1pm or so. then it is pitching tents, washing clothes, clean bike etc. Super is served at +- 5pm and in bed by7pm. As I expected the camping bit is the most difficult to get use too. showering with wep wipes is notquite the same as the shower at home. You need to be very organised to you can spend most of your time looking for stuff.

We board the ferry t/row morning to cross the Aswan dam to arrive on Tuesday at Wadi halfa in Sudan, from there 2 days of 150km and dessert before our next rest day in Dondola, not sure about cellphone reception till then but will try and keep you updated.

Enjoyed Egypt, especially the food and the journey along the nile but will not miss the 5am calling to prayers, especially sleeping in a tent and the constant hassling on the streets of tourist town and constantly trying to rip you off.