Not a new find.

Now here’s one you won’t have seen before. We thought this was a new find, but further research revealed that it had been discovered by András Zboray back in 2004. However it’s location has remained a fairly well guarded secret and it was only by chance that we stumbled across it. Not only is it fairly undamaged, but it also has quite a lot of original paint still on it. One can only speculate as to why it has been overturned. Possibly to make removal of the axles easier - either to repair another truck at the time, or to liberate them for another use after the war. Anyway. What we are sure of is that it is 1942 Ford 4x4 chassis number C01 05159, if that means anything to anyone.

Another wreck and again it’s a Ford. What is so nice about these is the evidence of hastily welded on bits to take machine guns and sand ladders. It looks like these were cobbled together from bits of steel lying about on various workshop floors in the back streets of Cairo back in 1941. The upright tubes are just bits of pipe. Maybe gas pipes in civilian life, but welded onto the tub of the truck to take a Vickers, or similar. The sand ladder brackets were clearly too low at the first attempt, then lengthened a bit later on by about 3 inches. I assume they were lashed in place with rope. Sam found a genuine LRDG sand ladder that would have been fitted into these carriers in a shop in Siwa. A lucky find - especially for the shop keeper who had his best sale of the day! He was using it as a shelf.

A good start.

Breakfast in the Desert. Hot eggs and foul (pron. ‘fool’ - it’s brown beans). Over dinner last night we discussed the Willy’s problem and narrowed it down to the 80 octane petrol. That plus the dirt is the most likely cause of the poor running, so once we struggle through this tankful we shall move on to the 1000 litres in the Iveco truck. Over and out. Packing up camp! Picture is dawn over our camp.

Great Save.

Despite not having our Jeeps yet, we all had a great day in and around Cairo today (6th April) guided by Cairo resident, team member and LRDG expert, Sam Watson. Our friend Darrell Hardman lent us his impressive fleet of Land Rovers and we visited Patrick Clayton’s Villa (Google him) in the leafy suburbs of Maadi. From there we went out into the desert on the edge of Cairo to Wadi Degla, where the LRDG practised their tactics. All that is left by way of evidence is one flattened and rusty jerry can, but it was a great day and many thanks to Sam and Darrell. All for now ...... more curry downstairs.
Pictures show Clayton's Villa and Wadi Degla.
Thanks for the comments Andy and Affer.

Red tape.

It was a frustrating day yesterday waiting outside the Port Gates to see if we could release the Jeeps from the port. The ship, Cap Harvey, did not dock until late the night before despite various assurances that it woas due in Alexandria on 31st, 2nd, then finally 5th at 06.00 hrs, eventually 22.30 hrs. giving us Thursday to try and retrieve them. Everybody finished early on Thursday in preparation for the ‘weekend’ – Friday.
Needless to say our attempts achieved only partial success. We have the paperwork in place, but if we had managed to get the Jeep out, it would be too late to complete customs. Slightly deflated we headed back to Cairo to be uplifted by meeting the rest of the team, sharing a beer or two and then a marvellous curry here in Mena House.
We are all moved to be in the same Hotel used by Bagnold and the preferred spot for pre and post drinks for the LRDG.
Pictures show; a wise local coping with the sun,Mahmoud frantically working in the minibus, Bob and Jason killing time and the whole group, plus guests Darrell and Sue.

Paying attention at the back.

Greetings from Cairo! We were privileged today to deliver a talk on our LRDG Expedition to Year 7, 8, 9 and 11 Students at Futures International American School in the Maadi Region of Cairo. My friend and our guide, Mahmoud Marai sorted this out as it is where he teaches. I sat in on his Chemistry lesson which was very orderly, but with debate and questioning encouraged. When the lesson finished the attentive students listened to me ramble on about the war time history of their country and Jeeps, whilst Mahmoud forwarded the pictures on his laptop. The talk was well received, with many students coming up afterwards, shaking my hand and thanking me for the talk. All of them spoke perfect English and were polite and interested. If the rest of our time here is as enjoyable and rewarding we shall all have a great time.