Day 145: Cotonou

Workshop day. 

A shock absorber needs to be lubricated and the car needs to be checked before we set off for Nigeria and Cameroon.

The shock absorbers themselves are ok, but the seals are torn. The bushings on the lower suspension are replaced. The warehouse above is being replaced, one had moved. The diesel filter is replaced. The brakes are checked and one or two fluids are topped up. The rear left leaf springs are readjusted. 

We see Lio and Domi drive past us in the roundabout and they turn around and take the opportunity to have “Pedro” treated again. 

People are sent out or called up to procure or deliver spare parts.

Busy work.

Wolle is in contact with Swen Weigler, who did the technical conversion and he thinks everything is ok as far as he can see in the photos.

But you have to be careful that a screw or split pin isn't left behind at some point. Or the brake is brought together again by force. Or the filter in the diesel filter sleeve is missing – yes, really!

Wolle takes the opportunity to repair our power station. That means: The chief mechanic knows someone, Wolle and an employee go there in a mototaxi, we wait and don't know anything specific and at some point, after several inquiries in the late afternoon, the electrician comes and the error is still there. So he takes the power station with him again and we arrange to meet him tomorrow.

Sitting around and breathing bad air on one of the city's main arteries.

And stay afloat nutritionally with something from here and there.

A nasty long day. From 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The whole thing at well over 30 degrees and 84% humidity.

Everyone is tired, the mechanics and us.