Well, some African roads may be a little bumpy. This definitely applies to the road up to Livinstonia in Northern Malawi.On the way back to the main road our car started to demonstrate that his treatment is not too appreciated. As we ignored it, it began to protest more seriously with heavy noise.
Finally we found a broken suspension pipe keeping usually the rear wheel in its position. Slowly we moved on, accompanied by the continuous protest of the ill-treated wheel. Back to the tarmac, we stated that also the brake pipe was broken (we still have 3 other wheels to brake as long some brake fluid remains) and driving resembled to navigating a small boat in a medium hurricane. Nevertheless, we managed the 20 km to a small village with one of these specialised workshops repairing all makes of cars.
The guys removed all broken parts and carefully put them in the sand. The broken pipe had to be reinforced before welding: they cut a piece of pipe out of an old bike frame and forced it with a hammer in our broken pipe. Then some welding, some more hammering and bending – and the masterpiece was ready to be built in. It really was a masterpiece.
Slightly similar procedures with the broken break pipe: A new one was found within no time in a corner of his workshop. The required length was measured; finally it was cut, formed, hammered and bended until it perfectly fitted into the whole system. To avoid any leakage a lot of threat was used and the whole lot was fixed. And really the brake works again. So we went back on the road.
Later the suspension pipe was replaced in Lilongwe by an original piece – one without bicycle frame and welding; the break pipe we try to leave for the road worthiness inspection in Swizzyland.
