Sundowners drive was dedicated to our newly graduated Junior Level drivers who had recently completed the intensive six week long Desert Fellas Basic Off-road training program.

In the spirit of celebration, this was meant to be an easy, enjoyable drive, which ended with a barbecue and spectacular views of a desert sunset. Well that was the plan…

At the meeting point our recently graduated Juniors could hardly contain their excitement for their first Junior level drive. After the safety briefing the convoy drove off in single file along a dusty gravel track before entering the soft white sands in a part of the Al Qudra desert where they had never driven before. While the convoy warmed up at a moderate pace on small dunes near the entrance to the desert, we were greeted by some of Al Qudra’s resident wildlife in the form of a few gazelle and a very photogenic one horned oryx.

The lazy first leg of the drive came to a close with a technical crossing that usually claims a few victims. The Sundowners convoy, however, were determined to be the first group to make this crossing without a recovery, and their intense focus and good convoy discipline paid dividends.

After a leg stretch and a sip of coffee at Moon Lake, we proceeded to an area where the terrain was conducive to high speed side sloping, and took full advantage of it. Unfortunately, all this high revving action proved to be a little too much for one of the vehicles in our convoy, which started to overheat. It was going to be a while before the engine cooled down sufficiently to move again, so we left our friend to chill with his car while the rest of the convoy pushed on to the exit, with the promise to return shortly afterwards.

The drive  to the exit point provided our drivers with a great arm work out as they dodged grassy outcrops and had to make a series of tight turns to stay on track. At the exit we bid farewell to those who had to head home, while the rest of the convoy made its way to the barbecue spot. On account of a few recoveries and a pop out along the way, the romanticized sunset went by unnoticed. At the barbecue spot, the Sundowners convoy rendezvoused with a group of Desert Fellas who had opted to drive there directly and participate in the barbecue.

Since it was already quite dark at this stage, a small group of experienced drivers headed off to meet our friend with the overheating car and assisted him to get safely to the main road, before returning to join the group at the barbecue spot.

The spectacular moonlit ambiance, great company and variety of delicious food  was more than adequate compensation for the missed sunset. The pièce de résistance was Hussam’s version of a popular Egyptian dessert called umm ali, which he prepared over smoldering charcoal. By the time dessert was ready the crowd had thinned considerably. The few remaining Sundowners ate enough umm ali to make up for all those who had already made an earlier departure. We then had to rest another hour before we were able pack our cars and head home.

Sundowners was all that it promised to be – a fun drive and a great evening out under the stars.

Thanks Hussam and Martin for keeping the convoy moving with your swift recoveries and pop out repairs. Johann I hope that the radiator repair is a simple one and that you and Old Squeaky are back on the sand in two ticks of a gazelle’s tail.

See you all on the sand soon.