Day 94 Saturday 19/21/09

The Land Rover was in need of a service and the Syrian Land Rover agent would not touch it (Diesel and too old!). The hotel reception told us of an area near with lots of mechanics and so armed with a map we prepared to set off. Whilst waiting in the Land Rover for EP to emerge from the hotel, MC met another “overlander”. Brian, from South Africa and his wife Diana were driving “Cape to Cape”, from South Africa to Norway in a new Defender 110. They were looking for a hotel and had just been into the Sultan to enquire (where EP met them too). After a short chat we said our goodbyes and headed off to “mechanic land”.

We found the road with plenty of tyre repair shops and stopped at one for our puncture repair. As soon as the wheel was off we had gathered a crowd of onlookers including the occupants of an old Land Rover. MC went over to ask if they knew a mechanic who could service our vehicle. A discussion between them took place and one lad set off on his bike. He came back soon and took MC over the road to a small garage and told me that they would do the work for us.

After having the puncture repaired and the rest of the tyres checked (S£50 – about 75p), we drove round to the garage. With very little common language we got the engine oil, axle oils and coolant changed, the UJ greased together with the oil and air filter fitted that we gave them and the bill was S£2,800 – about £42.00. We again gathered quite a crowd with everyone very friendly and helpful.

After parking up the Land Rover we set off back into the souks for a haircut for EP, but let’s not go there!

In the evening we met up with Brian and Diana for a meal and a chat.