After nearly ten years in the UAE, the time has come to say good bye and wish you all the very best for the future.
Off roading, and AD4x4, have been a big part of my life here in the UAE. It is safe to say there are not many places on the planet that afford the unrestricted desert playground we have here. Although that playground is rapidly shrinking
Teachers
I have been privileged to have been taught by some of the very best Marshals – Urs, Frank, Desert Hawk and WaqMaster come to mind. Nobody subject to an Urs newbie trip would ever forget it.
Everyone remembers their first side-crest. In my case it was after a morning Intermediate trip, ending in Khatim, when Waqar suggested a ‘private drive’ back to Sweihan. I swear we side-crested every dune between. That memory will never leave me.
Cars
“Desert Ready” said the advert for Frankenstein – my Jeep XJ which took me from ANIT to Marshal. I spent more time under it than I did driving it. On the plus side, I now know Mussafah like the back of my hand. The stories are legion: the time we lost Shaidi’s starter motor in the desert when trying to get Frankenstein going. The time I got stuck in a Sweihan bowl - only getting out through a two hour winching exercise by Chief Khawi and Mood. And so on. The AXA recovery service was properly abused!
Then came my Toyota LC, tricked out with a steel bumper, RadFlo and supercharger. I would have kept this car forever. I wish its new owner, AD4x4 Newbie Francois, the best of luck. It will serve him well.
Events
Three DesNavs, numerous GPS Hunts, two Jeep Jamborees and one Dark Sky fun – great fun all. I do hope they continue. I still remember trying to keep up with Malte on DesNav 2011 only to come over a dune to find him chasing one of his wheels down a dune. Good times.
Leading
I focussed on leading Newbie and intermediate trips as I think those are the best fun. It’s great to see those that you have taught at Newbie and Intermediate progress through the grades.
Comrades
It has been fun to progress through the ranks with friends. Scotchyl, Thom and Kaylie to name a few – all of whom have gone on to senior marshal grades and are now passing on their hard won skills to others.
I have not mentioned so many friends (Piotr, Denise, Zeebzog , Mr Magoo, Oliver, Smiley, Berhart, Tiliki…. and the list goes on and on). But this is the beauty of AD4x4 – you post a trip and you just don’t know who you will meet perhaps once – or perhaps for the first of many many times. Viva AD4x4!!
Take Care
Dave aka DesertDawg
