"After minimal custom formalities at the Senegal/Gambia border I changed vehicles for the last 8 miles into Basse. About half way along the dirt road we hit a bump and the front wheel fell off. Fortunately we were not going very fast and no other damage was caused. There was littleA myself and the other passengers could do except sit around in the hot sun, 'till after about half an hour a truck came along and gave us a lift the rest of the way.
 
Though Basse was a town that had seen better days and seemed to have little of special interest, I found it a pleasant place to be in, even though it was dry and hot. It was good to be back in a country where I could speak English again, and be able to talk with the ordinary local people. Also, being so far inland it would seem they got few other visitors, and as a result I was not seen as a source of income, to be bothered like in the area nearer the coast." - MH