Apart from having almost every roadside cafe worker trying to charge us double for our food & drink (something we've had to quickly wise up to), the people we've met in the desert have been extremely helpful, and the value of waving and smiling at people and greeting them has on occasion been invaluable.
On Monday morning, we quickly put away about 55km at a good pace. Then we started to struggle a bit. Usually there is (apparently) a decent northerly breeze that should have gently assisted us in our journey. Not on the afternoon of Monday 15th Feb 2010 though. In the blistering 39 degree midday desert heat, and heading into what I can only politely describe as a "strong wind" I can comfortably speak on behalf of my companions in saying that the realities of this soujourn began to hit home. Even in downhill stretches, it was like riding a bike through treacle. At one point we were all laid out at the side of the road for about an hour just to try to regain a bit of energy.
We hammered into the wind for maybe another 25km at a snail's pace and found a roadside cafe where a family took pity on us and gave us some bread and cheese. I then introduced myself to the group of policemen that had come to see what was going on... We were extremely relieved that they were happy for us to camp next to the police station!
We awoke the next day and got back on the road at 7.30am (with police escort). The wind picked up again and when we finally got to Hurgada we were absolutely shattered. We got talking to a local businessman, who said he could find us a reduced price appartment. $35 for one night not bad at all...
He was only one of the many people that have helped us along the way, but I am now too tired to even try and mention them all here. Back on the road tomorrow (Wednesday) as we need to make the ferry from Aswan(another 400km+) down the Nile to Sudan on Monday 22nd.
Looking forward to a good night's sleep... in a bed!
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