Having slept better last night, we had breakfast and got packed up in good time. By 8:20am we were on the road and heading for the Kenya/Tanzania border.
Our first stop of the day was at the village of Bissel, where we managed to buy some fruit and vegetables and more importantly stock up on drinking water. After the well stocked supermarkets of Nairobi, it was our first foray into the small wood and corrugated iron shops that line the main road through the villages. The shopkeepers were really helpful if slightly amused, clearly white people don't stop too often, let alone ones on bicycles.
With our water sacks filled we continued on the once again hilly road. To add to our animal count, today Debs spotted a male and female ostrich and I nearly caused a crash when I spotted some gazelle and didn't inform Debs that I was slowing down!
As before there were no shortage of Masai to shout hello to and we were once again followed down the road by smiling waving children. What we could have done without however, was the the mile and a bit of off road where some resurfacing was taking place. If the bumpy surface wasn't bad enough, the dust whipped up by the passing vehicles made it quite unpleasant. We possibly could have ridden on the road as people were walking up and down it, but we didn't fancy tyres full of tar and chippings. This came as a bit of a shame as the road up until then had been brilliant and we had just enjoyed a lovely milky coffee in a small café.
After a short break for lunch, to recover from the awful road surface, we found ourselves heading down towards the border town of Namanga. Spotting a camp-site we went to investigate, but after being quoted a silly price and not really liking the set-up; lots of men, restaurant closed, no flat ground etc, I made the decision to move on. One which I fortunately didn't live to regret when we found another site just a little further along.
We are camped in the compound of a tourist wood carving and craft centre, where apparently cyclists on the 'Tour d'afrique' have stayed. If it is good enough for them, then it is good enough for us! If we were here a few days later we would also meet some other cyclists who are on a tour with a company called 'Escape'. As they are coming here from Tanzania, there is every chance we may bump into them tomorrow; let's hope not literally!
Forgoing the cooking tonight we have had a decent meal in the restaurant and after saying I am not buying any souvenirs have bought a batik painting. At least being on fabric the picture can be folded and won't weigh me down too much!
Apparently the border is only 2km away so we should be in Tanzania quite early. It is farewell Kenya, for the short while we have been here, you have been very good to us!
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