Day 229 – 233 Sudan 5/5/2011 – 9/5/2011, Khartoum. Getting ready to head home and meeting some terrific people along the way.

Rather than sightseeing as it's far too hot, we have largely been trying to organise flights back to the UK, easy until you throw two bicycles into the mix. A combination of Friday being a holiday in Sudan and then running into the weekend in the UK, has meant that getting an answer as to whether we could take the bikes has taken a while. Finally on Monday we were issued with our tickets and we will be on the flight at 4:45am Tuesday.

Our time in Khartoum has been memorable, not only for the stifling heat! Through staying at the 'Blue Nile Sailing Club' we have met some terrific people. Thanks to Hugh, an Englishman from Sheffield and Fatih, a Sudanese/British national we had amazing experience visiting the Dervish ceremony at Hamed al Nil Tomb, Omdurman.

We were joined by the lovely Diane, Hugh's friend, and eventually ended up having a hastily put together, but no less welcome, meal at her apartment. In truth we were supposed to be eating out, but we had rather underestimated just how closed the city is on a Friday night.

To Fatih we are especially indebted, as he has helped us get boxes for our bikes. When he was unable to go with us because of work commitments, he sent two of his staff Alaa and Osama to help us negotiate the chaotic Omdurman souk. With their help we had one bike boxed and left with packing for the other. Since then he has regularly checked that we are alright and is kindly going to give us a lift to the airport. He has also most importantly helped us get the photos to Abdulfadil and his family. Mohamed Abdulfadil (Abdulfadil's oldest son) has been to collect them from us as he is studying at the university in Khartoum. It is great for us that the family will have a record of our visit. They especially, have made our Sudanese experience all the richer!

We should also make a quick mention to the guys from the Sailing club who shared their breakfast with us and to the Sudanese reggae musician who took us out on his boat. Although, despite being a nice gesture, the sickly sounding engine made us wonder if we were going to be stranded in the middle of the Nile!

Our stay in Sudan has been full of amazing experiences which we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We wish everyone we have met all the best in their ventures and 'Inshallah' we will meet again someday. For now though, the relative cool of the UK beckons, plus a beer wouldn't go amiss!