Mali, EPISODE THREE

Another 5am rise and ready to inflate the balloon when Pam, Salihou and Emilie arrived at 6. This time conditions were better and we bundled Pam into the basket. Off they went at 20 knts. I took the trouble to pack things away before setting off in pursuit driving Pam’s car. The hope had been that they would fly over the town, but the direction took them down the road towards Kayes and we were alongside them as they slowed nicely for a landing on the tarmac. Salihou and Emilie were offered a flight, but as both declined, I replaced Pam and we had a lovely gentle low level flight over flocks of sheep and yet more thorn trees to land after a total of 35 mins since take-off in a clearing, relatively clear of thorny scrub. We had lots of help packing away and Pam went off to hire a donkey cart to transport the balloon back to her place. Chris travelled with it, the basket fitting perfectly into the cart. Pam returned me to the Enterprise and I drove slowly back to town to await arrival of the donkey cart. The remainder of the day was spent resting at Pam’s place, and it was very hot with little breeze to cool the interior of the Enterprise. We packed the balloon back in the box in the evening and had showers for the first time since arrival to wash off all the red dust and sand. Pam’s place itself was very basic with no mains drainage, water or power. The water came from a well, the power was solar and the toilets were of the ‘long drop’ type. We were living in comparative luxury. We were able to fill our water tank at the mains hose by the town water tower (partially treated).

It was a 6-hour drive Diema – Bamako with a lunch stop in the shade of some tall mango trees, surrounded by a small flock of sheep and a calf. There were lots of little birds and bright butterflies. This camp is close to the Martyr’s Bridge over the River Niger on the opposite bank to the town. Tomorrow we intend to visit the Burkina Faso Embassy for our visas, and try to apply for Nigerian ones (90 days) now in case we decide to continue in that direction.  It may take a few days to find out if we are likely to be successful. Will let you know when we are setting off for the border.

We have just come back from a walk to find the nearest supermarket for shopping tomorrow and strolled along the river’s edge passed a small fishing community and lots of little gardens growing lettuces, tomatoes, spring onions and cabbages. There are also some big fancy houses with beautiful gardens.