© Jean L Hays
Spain and the crowds who lined the route from Paris to Andalusia were behind them. Although a novice, John knew after the first gruelling 250 kilometres in Morocco they’d be lucky to get the car through the next two stages. The temperatures over 130 degrees had made them all boil. They’d used all their water. They’d need more to survive the 400 km to Ouarzazate. There were rumours that water in Errchidia was expensive during the race.
They travelled slowly, nursing their head and their block. Mile after mile of dry desert.
“What on earth?”
“Drivers who buried their head in the sand.”
In response to the photo prompt provided Jean L Hays for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers where all are welcome to join in the 100 word flash fiction challenge. To read other entries follow the link on Rochelle’s site by hitting the blue frog.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Oh hilairous and relates to a theme I’m about to post!
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All your photographs are fantastic Cindy. Wild life photography is definitely your forte. I now want to go to Kruger NP. Glad you got a laugh from mine.
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Fabulous and hysterically funny! You wrote a great story about the “ostriches!”
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So glad you got a laugh and enjoyed it Sharon.
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The last line matches the picture so well. Made me smile. Inadequate preparation = heads in the sand. Well done.
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Thanks Norah. Yes I couldn’t get ostriches out of my mind from the time I saw the picture.
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Yes. Amusing! 🙂
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Quite the ending there! Funny 🙂 Wonder if the race was abandoned midway because they were unprepared.
My Fictioneers’ Story
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I’m sure those buried were unprepared. My two chaps – I don’t know if they made it or joined the large number that didn’t.
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Dear Irene,
So they weren’t drivers at the end, but ostriches? The race sounds grueling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes the Paris- Dakar race is the most difficult race in the world. In 2005 only 40% made it to the finish line.
Cheers Irene
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Lol. Great story.
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Thanks Raewyn.
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Great end to a brilliant little tale! Love it.
Visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Glad you enjoyed it Keith.
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Is this Paris-Dakar inspired?
Good piece.
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Most definitely yes. Thanks
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I do hope they make it – I could feel their pain!
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The Paris to Dakar race is the most gruelling car race held. Their pain would have been immense.
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Haha! Clever.
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Thanks Tiffany.
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Irene, I really enjoyed this one. I instantly thought of Paris-Dakar, but the ostrich comments from others threw me off… what am I missing re: ostriches? I assumed the head in the sand comment had to do with those who weren’t prepared for the race, not birds… but now I’m thinking I missed something? Clever and fun story though! It fits the prompt so well!
2nd Paragraph… shouldn’t it be “TheY travelled slowly… nursing their headS and their block” (what is block?)
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We have a saying here which I assumed was probably world wide but is obviously not. If some-one ignores the signs of impending doom because they are frightened we say “Don’t be an ostrich.” because rumour has it that (curtesy ten-ashx
Apparently this was a myth perpetuated by Pliny the elder in 73AD and over the years we have accepted it. http://cindyknoke.com/2015/07/02/high-plains-kickers/
You are right it should certainly have been They. Thanks I have corrected that. The head and the block refers to parts of the car. The head is where the valves are located (full name cylinder head) and is essential for the running of the car. The block is the engine below the head.
Glad you enjoyed the story Dawn. It was fun to write.
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Thanks! I know the reference, but thought I’d missed something more dramatic. It was a very funny and entertaining story, and sometimes the comments throw me off! I try not to read the, because of that.
thanks for the explanation, Irene. 🙂
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Oh that last line…Perfection and amusingly so!
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Glad to bring a smile.
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Delightfully funny, that last line is like a punchline! I liked the story, too and could picture the race and the heat.
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Glad you found it amusing Charli. It was a fun story to write.
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Ah that did remind me of the Ostrich in the sand too. But could not work it in. Nicely done.
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Thanks. I couldn’t get the ostriches out of my head.
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It takes a lot of planning and preparation just to survive to the finish. Well done.
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Absolutely. It must be such a buzz for those that finish. Thanks
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Ha – Ostrich-head racers…Love it.
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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Heheh, best to be prepared because head in sand–not so good. Great story, very funny.
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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Ha.. yes I think this fits well to the picture
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Thanks Bjorn.
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