UPDATE : 6 APR

I am having a lazy, relaxing day next to the pool at the hotel in Lilongwe. We arrived yesterday and leaving t/row and crossing into Zambia in the afternoon. So only 4 countries left. We clocked 7000km this week, so less than 5000 left. There only 34 riding days left, so the daily distances increase especially in Botswana & Namibia.

The week out of Arusha was definitely the most challenging of the trip so far. We cycled 7 days continuously over very rough dirt roads with serious climbs and descents and thick sand. So it was a bit of everything and +- 100km a day, so spend 6-7 hours on the bike every day. The route took us down the middle of Tanzania with spectacular scenery and completely unspoilt at there was almost no traffic or development.

The most spectacular day of the trip for me was the last day in Tanzania. After climbing 600m we descend 2400m along the rift valley with unbelievable scenery.When we crossed into Malawi it was like going back into time.No shops, sim cards or cold drinks. Not sure if it because it was Easter weekend or lack of vehicles but Malawi's roads most quite so far. The 1st night in Malawi was a horrible experience, being surrounded by hundreds of kids staring at you, it was like being back in Ethiopia. We cycled to the lake the next day & had a nice rest day at the lake, from there we went inland to Mzuzu and then straight down to Lilongwe. I was quite surprised how hilly the inland route was, most days close to 2000m climbing but at least it was much cooler than at the lake. had rain quite a few nights and the day out of Mzuzu. Although Malawians are very friendly, my most favourable country is Tanzania.

I have been cycling very slowly with my heart rate hardly going over 60%. Me & Gerald decided to up the pace the last 2 days to start preparing for the long stretches in Namibia & Botswana. We have cycled less than 1000km om dirt roads, so our mountain bikers will have to peddle extra hard to keep up with the racing bikes from now on.

Some stats:
Flying objects swallowed: 5
Punctures: 6
Average soft drinks a day( cokes etc): 8
Weight loss: Plenty & still counting. person lost more than 12 kilo's
Calories burn a day: 5000-6000

The camping conditions are improving as we are using hotel grounds etc for camping. The food remains terrible. The daily menu consists of porridge in the morning, stale bread & tuna salad for lunch and stew (carrots & 1 or 2 pieces of meat) for supper. We are eating at restaurants along the road as much as possible. At least we can also now buy dried fruits, peanuts , chocolates etc to supplement TDA food. In Mzuzu 3 of us went for supper at hotel, we consumed:

6 beers
6 steaks ,1st fillet & then a big t-bone
6 desserts

The people at other table starred at us in disbelieve. The business lounge/ Locker 9 is still going strong and David has rejoined us with fresh supplies, incluing biltong

Had 1st case of malaria in the group this week but there have been no accidents and I haven't loss anything for quite a while. last major loss was my laptop so that why you are not getting a smart word document

Would like to thank NBC again for their support and assistance while in Tanzania, all of you for your support. can't belive I will be in Cape Town in 6 weeks.