Into the Hidden Land

Published in 1970, this book describes the author's trip by car and caravan from the UK to Ethiopia, with his wife. A part of the appeal of his trip was to be the first (and likely only) person to drag the unwieldy bulk of a caravan so far over such inappropriate terrain.

Of course they succeeded, but the caravan in Ethiopia (well actually Eritrea, which was a part of Ethiopia at that time), and the caravan that departed England were not exactly the same thing. Copious welded repairs, additional steel brackets and strengthening plates were necessary, and the caravan also spent some time on the back of large trucks and a train, but not to take away from the author and his achievement.

The book is presented in two parts - the journey to Eritrea, and the sights and sites of Ethiopia after they had settled in a little. With their second hand Mercedes-Benz 220, it was a journey of 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometres), the route being UK - France - Spain - Gibraltar - Morocco - Algeria - Tunisia - Libya - Egypt - Sudan - Ethiopia (Eritrea).

Other than the obvious mechanical issues, getting stuck regularly, and the usual border control issues, they had plenty of entertaining occurrences to share. It is a short, quick read, but an enjoyable one.

3.5 stars, rounded up.