Upcountry

So I've gone 'Upcountry' as the Gambians would say. A rapid ascent of about 1 metre per mile along the south bank of the Gambia river. However, Gambia is so narrow I've had to be careful not to accidently stray across the border into Senegal. For anyone who doesn't know why Gambia is so ridiculously long and thin, here is a synopsis of Britain's colonial logic.
- Race for Africa begins at the Berlin conference
- France begin colonising the whole of West Africa
- Britain see an opportunity to annoy the French by doing the bare minimum to colonise an area right in the middle of France's existing colonies
- Britain sends the navy up the Gambia river and claims sovereignty as far as the river is navigable and as far as Britain's canons can fire (20 miles to each side)
- Britain then offers France the 'opportunity' to have Gambia, in exchange for a much larger French colony such as Gabon
- The French tell the British to get stuffed and stop all trade with Gambia
- Britain pays no interest in Gambia until independence

I've also learnt that Gambia has no atms outside the capital and I've survived wild camping without any unwanted animal experiences. I've had a rack built to support my panniers that have been disintegrating under the repetitive bumping up and down. I've also learnt that the old president was universally disliked.

P.s. I'm sure Mick Comben will correct me on the history!Read more