After last week's photo shoot and Simon using a few contacts, it would seem the local paper(s) are interested in writing a little bit about me and having a few photos. So, I have no idea what to say or what to do about it, I guess I'll just try to do a little more than grunt back at her questions, but not bore her to death. Feels a bit odd to be honest, this whole outside interest. But if it all goes well I guess I'll get used to it. As soon as i know what it is going to look like, I'll post it on here so we can all look at it and not laugh. Maybe a little. Monday I'm speaking to the nice people at Touratech again, and finalizing my order for a couple of panniers and some big maps of Africa, so i can investigate where to go in a little more detail(and so I won't get lost when I'm there). Again I'll put up some pictures of the panniers when I have them. It is still not looking good about getting through from Morocco to Algeria, they certainly know how to hold a grudge. The border is still closed and has been since 2003 I think. Maybe even as early as 1994. Something to do with someone blaming someone else for an 'incident'. Now I know that people can cross the border and many do it illegally as the price of Diesel and Petrol is almost half price in Algeria, so you have people crossing the border, filling up and coming back to Morocco to sell the fuel to make a profit. As wrong as it sounds, I am severly tempted to go that way and try and sneak through, but there is the threat of pretty dire consequences. On the plus side though, it would make for a fantastic route, crossing the entire North Coast of Africa, instead of Tunisia, Libya and then Egypt. I think I will play it safe and cross from Italy over to Tunisia. But if the border opens between now and Christmas, then I'll cross from Spain. Something to keep an eye on.