TRAVEL 03/08

A move by a transport truck cab MB Front Handlebar 811th The complete adventures, or how it should be.

This time ...... all started quite differently, which I am invited to have a truck, DB 811 fully take furniture from Portugal to Gambia. I bought this 811 in Freiburg, a Lebanese car dealer and then went to Nuremberg to the sample and around the tires for the wheel of the Terrano Marianne and Nunu) (to be found. The 811 is gone to Nuremberg rather well and I thought we already got some way to Gambia. Had one months MOT and I have secrets and to trust in my grandfather that he had accompanied us safely to the Gambia. 

Until Tavira (Portugal), I learned a little about the car and noted that he spent quite a lot of oil and the oil pressure is no longer the most stable. Once the engine is at operating temperature, oil pressure drops by Max at 4 kp / cm ² and have done so in Spain and Morocco! how is this going to be first in the desert? where oil is no longer cold and so far there were only little things to make were: a hole in the tire, new battery, dipped and then, when we are rid of Portugal, close to Algeciras, a flat tire. An inside rear tire blew through the hopeless superiority easy on and we were forced to Jarez (because of the delicious sherry come from driving), where we then resolved to assemble because of excess weight in the suitcase on the rear axle, four new tires. Of course we had to wait until the next afternoon when our tire size is not standard anymore, but at noon the next Spanish guys in an incredible speed times have just changed four tires and found that we very soon the second tire on the same axis lost had. 

But I anticipate a little, for I was to write as many boxes and other things, especially people for whom I am going to move, waiting for me and as I was then finally arrived (of course, I alone have almost up to the door found) I was taken by Nunu received and escorted to the house.There waiting for me, other than expected, a huge pile boxes, no, but a huge mess, all gave a great effort to master the chaos and helped with all the boxes, cans, boxes and bulky things for a household in these containers, 20 store ". After two days was then stowed everything and everyone was relieved when it finally went from the court. Lot it was beyond the motorway to Spain to translate the ferry to Tangier, Morocco. But the forced us right tire burst to an unwanted rest, which we used for the thawing meat which was still in the freezer before frying, so it was not bad. Indeed, when the last three of the cutlets in the pan before roasting, and lay down, the phone rang and the tire company said in order to say that the new tires now were ready for assembly. 

We were grilling the chops ready in peace and then off to Jarez assembly. An egg-dance with an old tire on an overloaded rear axle, but everything went well. New tires on it, yet quickly loaded the phone, and then paid nothing as gone back to the highway ..... with the feeling that now at least to keep the tires up in Gambia, although that is indeed not sure ...... many miles and many "driven." Once in Algeciras, we still get a ticket for the next ferry, there was a misunderstanding with the ticket for the truck, but everything went still and we were the last on the ferry ... .. Africa finally in sight. But the disappointment did not last long in coming. Had arrived at Moroccan customs, we got the first lesson in Africa, "quiet" when the fact was clearly not the truck freight papers, it was clear that we can prepare ourselves for a longer waiting period. 

The Nissan Terrano times went to check the roof and the truck was parked in front, ready to be unloaded again if it had to be it. The officers then took first in the Terrano in the Marianne, Nunu, the two twins, and Bassiro and Ramatulai the two dogs had their travel home. After the trailer was controlled, was one of the official from the cab and was examined at the buttons on the front passenger area find a pistol in shape. Then the chaos was perfect at once. Nunu was immediately led away in handcuffs and confiscated our passports and we were suddenly all criminal arms dealers .......... The details of the whole action, I will spare you that you read this now, because to describe it is almost impossible, unless one has experienced such a thing before. -I just know that I did not want this experience to do, but what can you say against the anxiety of a young man has with his wife, two children and all household a route through Western Sahara before him and his family Protect like? -- 

In the Clock Night at 5:00 in the morning we were, Marianne, the twins and I returned back to our car, without our passports, of course, but we could finally make a bit of my eyes, finally we were "arms dealer" and dangerous. Nunu was because of his unspeakable stupidity to the Moroccan state power to get to know from the inside. Sometime on the day Marianne and I got our passports back with the statements that we were now free, and with the "arms" have nothing to do what we do not much easier, because Nunu had to remain in custody and was the morning after discount placed, to be presented to the judge. And then the circus came really get going, because even though our truck was driving on suspicion of firearms by a modern scanner, passed the customs officials that, even now know what everything in this container in there. 

So I had to open the truck and some Moroccan Customs workers began from the contents of the container in the parking lot before the custom to load. A truly perfect chaos. Of course, even had a dog that can smell the weapons, to sniff through all the chaos and the end also marks a suitcase.  In any case, no further weapons were found and the customs officials were disappointed and I am relieved. Then eased the situation and we were able to remember the customs formalities for the truck to make. Terrano should in the meantime will also seized again, as he was so used to the exercise of a crime, but this idea has yet quickly shattered. 

He then got his necessary papers fairly quickly and then it went to the truck. Was a fairly senior officials had, for some unknown reasons at once my passport checked again, and as no longer find after hours of my passport, they said at once, we had messy my passport. After further hours of waiting with patience and practice, but then yanked gave me the yarn and sound, and threatened to call the German Embassy to report the case. Shortly thereafter, my passport yet reappeared, associated with the statement that the passport of someone being because Marianne has lost him well. All the faces were protected, and finally, the customs formalities to be re-addressed. Of course, now all other officials on duty who have inherited from the previous investigation of the truck, of course, nothing and therefore we should open up the truck and unload again. Perseverance brings good fortune ....... I myself refused to unload only a part or the container open again and Marianne talked with tongues of angels. 

Finally we could then close the container again, and yet the Ladezettel was created, paid the customs duty and then we got our pretty quickly correct papers ---- we were there! ! ! And now I'm sitting in a Moroccan Motorway break place  and write down what I've experienced so far and would well supplied. The waiters are very friendly, I've helped a truck driver to go to Kardanwellenlager. And I decided that I myself through the stress of the two will not affect leave in peace and do my thing. This makes the ride gets a different quality for me and now I finally get a little bit more contact with the population. When we arrived here at the rest stop, we met two nice truck driver and exchanged knowledge about the various forms and documents. Passes were presented certificates and many other things that has boiled up the kettle on and we got a real truck driver-tea. 

Around midnight a few photos were taken and then off to bed. Today Marianne is then again went back to Tangier to inquire about the whereabouts of their Nunu, as was getting the message No information. The next problem that will play on us is time stress, because the truck has driven through within 15 days by Morocco to be ...... to Mauritania. I think this trip is tested my patience and I have decided to pass the exam and not to lose the rest ........... ..... and patiently, I should be because the problems with the 813 should only begin when we had a few miles in Morocco had started the sounds I could not identify. Eventually, I became restless and even stopped at times look around and lo and behold, in a ragged rear wheel studs were simply demolished. I was quite comical at the idea that I had lost a wheel. At the first opportunity I then hochgebockt the truck and tightened all the remaining nuts and I inwardly cursed the workshop in Jerez (Spain). When all the lug nuts were tightened, it went calm. 

The engine has done a good job and I got more confidence in my vehicle. And then, just before Tarfaya, the big shock. I once stopped again to represent the legs and what to see my sore eyes!again a wheel nut which is located in the rim and on closer look I discovered that only two lug nuts were left. That's it for now. PAUSE. Tarfaya Marianne then had to go and fetch a mechanic, we had still not have a jack and not a wheel spider, so I could do nothing themselves. I made myself comfortable and waited for the Marianne with the mechanic came back, which also did not last all too long. Trucks jacked up and unscrewed the wheel. 

The brake drum had down also because the studs stuck in the drum, nor indeed canceled. The rim has suffered so much so that even a few pieces were broken. The mechanic and Marianne made themselves right back on track. I was alone again, but not for long because soon a dog came running toward me, sniffing for something edible, and his owner, a very old man came up to me and greeted me, told me something - and of course I knew nothing and answered him in German. Then he disappeared for ever on the Moroccan coastline. 

To even anticipate, the truck had a weight of 11 t. Is actually a 813 so a 7.5 tonne truck, it certainly went further, indeed was at one time to the good and more slowly, and finally he just stopped. So I had to look up and to get away. The mistake was easily found: the diesel filters were tight. In the tanks had the rust dissolved and clogs the filter, so it was swallowed diesel. But even those "little things" we have of course not deter them from continuing our path. I was only in the course of many times where I had to clean the filter, always wondered how much rust can build up in such a tank. 

But there was worse, because when we arrived at the border with Mauritania, Marianne turned down on the border, that a wheel had fallen off in her trailer and we almost had entered a car with trailer in Morocco, we should also leave with both again. Said and done, a Coke helped me to fix the wheel at least as long until we were through customs and out came from Morocco. Then came the piece of land between Morocco and Mauritania. Halfway in the thin aluminum gave up the ghost of Coke and I had to improvise again, this time with an old oil filters because it was easy in the desert. With a screwdriver, I separated from the filter screw caps and had a good washer. The then held until we were in Mauritania and were able to park the trailer. Then we went to Nouadibou, a port city with a good climate. 

There I met a very nice about Sweden who had lived there long. He told me no problem. On the very same day, a few hours and a few cups of coffee with milk later Nordin came and helped me get the parts that were needed to find and from there went to a garage who then just simply made a new axle bolts. All in all went very quickly and the next day, we were able to continue again. We also had, we had only 5 days visa to Mauritania. With a night drive, we made it until the specified date and Mauritania to leave. To be continued .........