The public beach is where the people of Nouakchott hang out in crowds on a weekend. There were numerous games of football going on and a game of quoits with bananas and packet of biscuits to be hooped.

After a long sleep and a meal in the Spanish restaurant again last night, I was ready to travel on to Nouakchott today. Although I'd done this journey before the experience was different again.

The evening was quite incredible. Perched on top of the iron ore, and lit by a full moon and a sky of stars, I had the most wonderful experience of adventure and exhilaration.

Being able to stay in Jed's home is a real privilege. The house is one of the regular accommodation units provided to workers at the mine.

The journey today was late in starting but did ensure that I got to ride with Yussof, a famous experienced driver in the area. We set off down the road towards Atar and the gorge when a tyre punctured.

This morning a driver in a pick up picked me up at 6:30 from the Auberge. I was really touched when Zaida got up too to make me crepes and tea for breakfast.

Oudane is an ancient desert trading place and the site of the ruins of an old city. I loved exploring this site - totally alone amongst the ruins for the whole day

This morning I took the local minibus to Atar at 08:00 from the road junction. Again the scenery on the journey was incredible.

This morning I was the last to leave the camp and walked up the valley of Terjit towards the oasis. The valley is deserted, the tourist stopping places empty and the river bed dry.

Today I accompanied a group of French film makers to another valley. I travelled with them by pickup to the village in the next valley and whilst they were filming was able to explore the smaller settlements in the area and the oasis further into the escarpment.

Some of the journeys I make turn in to epic adventures in themselves. Todays' was one of them.

I spent today, getting to know this interesting town. Along the main street, I met shop owners and stepped into the local school to meet Jumila, the Director. I spent most of the day in the market area of the town.

I set off this morning in a minibus to the desert town of Tidjikja. The ticket was booked the night before for 1300Rp and I was joined by two young French travellers.

We set off at 08:00 in a shared minibus for Nouakchott. The buses leave from the main road and a ticket cost 700Rp. The place was bustling with sellers, travellers and locals walking about - a feast for the eyes in this new country.

I had booked a bus ticket last night from the Supra@tours office on the promenade. The bus was due to leave at 08:00 heading towards the Moroccan border town of Guerguerat