Awoke to the mournful wail of Egyptian music. Well, it might be Sudanese, I'm no expert and I certainly won't be buying the album.

When I say I awoke, it was about the umpteenth time I had woken. The metal deck, cold wind, chatting arabs, call to prayer, sunglasses digging in my side and the ships hooter didn't help the sleep process. I was lucky though. At least I had thought to bring a sleeping bag. Bill had a towel as he was expecting a shower in his cabin. Rick and Ian had similar. As Rick said 'I bet Palin didn't sleep under a towel on the ships deck'.

I seem to have network coverage out here. Can't imagine why, we must be 100 miles or so from Aswan and probably similar to Wadi Halfa. There is literally nothing out there to warrant a phone mast.

The mournful wailing is still going on. The sun is now well above the horizon on the other side of the boat. It should warm up soon. I'm guessing egg and bacon is not on the menu, in fact I've no idea if there is any breakfast on the menu. After last nights tepid chicken in dysentry sauce, I'm wondering if I should risk it, or take my chances with malnutrition.

I bet Thomas Cook would struggle to sell this Nile Cruise to punters. I would say I'm looking forward to getting to the other end but I'm not sure there is much in Wadi Halfa to look forward to. Hopefully a car breakers yard so we can find a leaf spring to fit a Bristol VR and also hopefully a shower.

They are moaning at me now for hogging the toilet roll. A chap needs a pillow though.