TERTIUS

We miss him. He carried three girls safely over 8000kms through 6 African countries and in 17 days. Not a single burst tyre. Not a breakdown. Not a leak. Not a hitch or a squeak. Sometimes driving straight through the night. Over dunes, dirt roads, crumbling tar and potholes, through sand and mud and water and wind and freezing Namibia weather. Over lake Kariba. Through sleepy little villages and past baobabs the size of Narnia. The Silver Bullet. The Christmas Tree. The Sand Cub. Tertius, the Toyota Etios. After the trip we returned Tertius to Toyota, reluctantly, sticker free, plus a full valet. He looked so different. We don't know where Tertius is now. Last we heard he had rejoined the fleet at Toyota and for all we know he's transporting people to and from the airport, waiting languidly in the parking bay for some business rep in a grey suit. It's sad to think that he's been on such epic adventure, seen so much, and is now shoved back into the ebb of corporate life, much like the rest of us. But if you see him on the road (BW12HW GP), now void of all stickers and charm, do give him a little nod. And know that he gave us an amazing experience. He carries the soul of Africa in him. (And we're pretty sure there's still a bit of Etosha in his engine.) Dankie Toyota. Dankie Tertius.