....shady spot where lunch is waiting. Sarah is going well in difficult conditions and arrives close behind. Before lunch we get a song of praise from some locals and I try a shot of a local bike, but when I pull on the brakes they fall off, not to the owners surprise. Over lunch I ask Roland who doctors make jokes about. "Orthopaedic surgeons", he replies, "They're just 'car mechanics' and 'carpenters'." I store this information meantime. Before we restart, some cyclists with more energy than sense play Malawi at 5 a side, in the road. Diplomatically, they loose 3-2.

Either the road is getting worse or we're getting tired. Every shade is welcome. After the next water stop I ride on with Rev. Dave who's a geologist and can explain the origins of these peculiar granite shapes which dot the landscape. He also notices the variety of birds (which I don't) and can name some of the fascinating trees. At Sun & Sand Resort Eric asks "Where can I die". Poor Helen G has sunstroke and is leaning out of the bus vomiting. Sarah is tired but elated. I'm pleased and admit that I've been keeping an eye on her. She asks if this at her mother's request. I mumble something about other important women in my life also having an interest.

Wednesday 16th. Rise for sunrise on the lake at 5;50. but by breakfast my stomach feels peculiar. Janet's tucking into sausage egg and chips. No thanks. On the tarmac road toward Mangochi I fall back trying to capture things on film; People washing clothes in a river, men making bricks, monkeys. Try carrying video camera in one hand while cycling along. Get a shot of Sarah and Kath just before they're overtaken by a man in flip flops carrying a woman and baby on his bike!

After lunch I emerge from the bushes to find almost everyone setting off and bike mechanic Bruce replacing Sarah's broken pedal. S, Janet & I set off last. Behind us are Discover Adventure's medic Joe Stych and no. 2 mechanic Jackie (who just happens to be a doctor) with two support vehicles, one with enough medical kit for minor operations and the other with spare bikes and parts. We pass Mairi plodding. I stay with her for a few miles but she encourages me to go on, which I do. What happened next was a hairsbreadth from tragedy.

Joe Cooney, riding a bit behind Sarah, saw a truck overtaking another truck, coming towards her. She got on the verge but thought "This is going to hurt". It did. Probably an overhanging load struck her right arm, which was broken. Bike helmet did it's job, breaking into several bits. Drs Joe & Jackie arrive quickly, get her neck in a collar, anaesthetise her and strap up her arm. She can feel everything but her neck is sore. (It transpires vertebrae C4 & C5 are broken). In a little less pain, Sarah eyes me with a wicked look and asks, "What's Joyce going to say?"

Mairi (nurse) goes with her to nearest hospital. I'll see the afternoon out but weight in my stomach is heavier. Very sober water stop. Tuck in behind Janet and let her break the wind for the last 25 km to Hippo View Lodge, Liwonde. (Yes, I did see two .....

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