Headwind Hell

Optimistically I was advocating for a 100 km+ day to get us to Iringa in 2, rather than 3 stints. There was a bit of uphill in that so it was going to be an ask. Starting early, no breakfast included in the accommodation, meant no reason to dally. Right out the gate, there was a blustery headwind. In these conditions I put my head down and just ground it out. It never eased up and when we rolled into Makambako at the 56 km mark mid afternoon we'd both had enough. It took 3 ATMs before I found one that understood Visa properly and spat out a wad of Shillings. Getting a beer and a feed helped restore a more normal tempo, with the previous day's mishap a thing of the past. We both had some leg pain from the ride today so hoping overnight recovery would be sufficient. Makambako really championed the tuk-tuk fleet. They'd been a presence since entering Tanzania which didn't feature the same, overloaded and batterred, Toyota Sienta runabout craze as Malawi. But here there was a tuk-tuk lane bollarded to prevent cars and trucks from entering, and only just wide enough at the bollards for a tuk-tuk to pass through. Naturally a ride was required. Heading out to get some fried buns, for an on the go breakfast tomorrow, I noticed the street intersection had turned into kitchen street.Читать далее