This island stay is certainly conducive to deep sleep and beautiful scenes. This morning I woke up to the most incredible sunrise over the sea and total solitude on the beach. I was filled with an incredible sense of gratitude and expansion.

Today I just walked on the beach for miles; its endless, empty except for the few cows and flocks of birds.

This evening I walked the length of the beach and could have walked all around the island - the beach is unbelievable. Clean, fringed by palm trees and mangrove and full of different birds. I saw lots of herons and eagles just on this one walk. The sunset was amazing.

I took a shared taxi to Bissau from the garage in Ziguinchor for 4000CFA. The driver needed to navigate a potholed road, swerving on and off the tarmac to try to keep it as smooth as possible for the passengers.

I took a shared taxi to Bissau from the garage in Ziguinchor for 4000CFA. The driver needed to navigate a potholed road, swerving on and off the tarmac to try to keep it as smooth as possible for the passengers. There were numerous police checks along the way, all of which the driver managed smoothly.

I really enjoyed my short stay in this town on the banks of the Casamance River.

When exploring the village, I came across the entry to the meeting place of the local king. He resides in Oussouye and makes himself available for the local people from 06:00 to 18:00 each day.

The walk back to Abene was along the unspoilt and clean beach. It was clear to see how precious this coast line is to preserve and how challenging that will be for the local people going forwards.

I stayed at the wonderful home of Regula Trutmann, a Swiss / Senegal artist; painter, sculpture and puppeteer. Her home is a labour of love - personally designed and made in the local materials.

Today I have been shown the range of projects that Saikhu, my host, is eager to develop within his village community. As one of the active members of the village association, he has been working to develop the facilities of Tujering area.

I've spent today exploring reserves and parks to see more of the wild life of the Gambia.

I mastered the local transport network of the coastal region and headed first for the Senegambia Beach Hotel.

Today I travelled from Albreda to Tanji village on the Gambia coast. This involved a succession of transport legs

Albreda village is the jumping off point to Saint James Island, the small island with a long history as an important trading and administrative post due to its strategic location in the middle of the Gambian River.

Frequently my days end and start with deep rich conversations with other people staying in the guest houses where I'm located. Today was no exception. Meeting Cecelia and Sandra, two intrepid experienced world travellers, was a joy and totally enlightening. A fantastic start to the day.

Crossing the border from Senegal to Gambia on the route from Kaolack to Farafenni could not have been smoother.

Last night I returned to Tambacounda and stayed in the La Basseria hotel again. There is something quite reassuring about returning to a town and hotel that you already know.

I have spent a fantastic two days in this national park. I'd recommend making the trek out to it.

At 7:30 this morning, I saw a group of young boys from the neighbourhood, place plastic containers in a row in order of arrival at the gate, in readiness for breakfast provided by the hotel.

I did a day trip from Diourbel to Touba, the second largest city in Senegal and the home to the largest mosque in West Africa. I was curious to learn more about this holy city.