I'm after some thoughts as I plan my trip to Mauritania either in the Autumn 09 or more likely Spring 10

I have a XT600e which is fully farkled and ready go with a big tank and Michelin Deserts.

Wife/2 kids/self employment means the maximum I want to spend away is 4 weeks

So I am thinking.......

1 week - UK to Southern Morocco by Diesel Estate Car with XT600 on a trailer
2 weeks - Doing a big, quite adventurous route around Mauritania, travelling very very light
1 week - Southern Morocco back to UK

By using the car to get there at 50mpg, I will only pay for diesel and can camp and cook enroute as I go (essentially living rough). The car has already done 130,000 miles so another 6 or 7000 miles won't matter. I don't see much enjoyment in riding an XT600 to the start point.

Has anybody done anything similar - I wonder how easy it will be to leave a trailer and Uk registered car in Morocco for a fortnight whilst me and the bike shoot off to Mauri.

My reason for doing it this way is to maximize time in Mauritania and minimize costs - I would literally only spend money on petrol/diesel, ferrys and food once I hit the road, camping very rough all the time - I would hope to do the whole trip for under £2k

All thought/advice gratefully received - I did a London Cape Town trip in 1995 and just skirted around Mauri and have regretted not venturing inland ever since.

And if a similarly minded person would like to share a berth on the trailer< I'd be really happy to share the adventure

cheers

Dick