Day 73, 7688km, Niger Delta, Mali

After a leisurely start exploring Segou and sampling the food on just about every street corner I got myself into a sticky situation with the army/police by trying to take a photo of a dam across the Niger river which had hundreds of fishermen hanging from the frame throwing nets into the thundering sluice outlets below. A spectacular sight that almost cost me my passport, fortunately I'm a natural at playing the ignorant tourist, a title I lived up to shortly after by sitting down for lunch on an ants nest and putting new meaning to the phrase 'ants in your pants'. Either the resulting acupuncture, my new riding position or my effort to put weight on my body by doubling my food expenditure to £3 per day, must be working because my right cheek problems have improved. I'm now camping with a fishing family next to their rebellious teenage son who relishes playing his Mali tunes at top volume. Much to their amusement I've been showing the kids a few English dance moves, I'm afraid though after 125km in the saddle today I may not have done our fine dancing nation justice!