I still remember with a smile the town of Uralsk in Kazakhstan, where we had done the service on Mahangu in a Toyota garage in 2013. The mechanic told us with a conspiratorial smile that yesterday a couple from England were also in the garage to have the service done on their car. Then he continued: «And SHE is the mechanic; the guy has no idea about cars!». He was even more astonished when I told him that it was the same with us …

In the meantime, I know Mahangu a lot better than on our first trip. I know he has a 6-cylinder diesel engine. I know where and how I have to switch the 4×4 drive on and off. And I also know where each of the filler necks for the two tanks of 90 liters are because I am the one who refuels! That is already something!

I am happy to leave other things to Brigitta. Whenever a screw is loose somewhere – not with me! – then she picks up the right spanner. And if a cable in the engine compartment is poorly insulated or fastened, she also manages it with flying colors. Just like when she contacted Res Böhlen, our mechanic at ORB in Thun, to clarify what the frayed cable was all about. Now it has been professionally repaired by her!

PS. Res explained to Brigitta that the indication from the left and right in the engine compartment is always in the direction of travel. I would have known that if she had asked me – smile!