Virginia Simpson

Virginia Simpson
Of Look No Andes!
On the Mototaxi Junket 2009
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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On the Road

Morning All, sorry for the radio silence but typically we didn´t leave on Wednesdy! There was a lot of hype and a street procession in honour of us - the mayor was dragged out to meet us all, his english was limited to ´Where are you from?´. Hugh said he was from Chelsea and sang them a round of CFC´s finest anthem much to my horror but the locals loved it and he´s now a national hero! We then spent the rest of the day locked in the secure school grounds waiting for one last bit of paperwork which we did get but it was too late and dark to start.

We finally got moving at 4.30am yesterday and started racing towards our first destination Ayacucho... sadly we over enthusiastically raced up the wrong mountains and lost three hours... I have to say luckily neither Hugh nor I were map reading at this point. The heavens opened, we got soaking and freezing cold before we realised we were in the wrong mountain range... When we did hit the right part of the Andes it was beyond stunning. Still freezing cold and terrifying in places because of sheer cliff drops to one side, dodgy road surfaces, no barriers and trucks were hurtling towards us but we are all OK. The day was filled with a mix of rain, choaking dust, scorching sun and muscle strain but we made 300 km to Ayacucho by 8pm which was our aim for the day. Shattered but after a good nights sleep we are off again......  

Virginia Simpson
Of Mad Minx
On the The Mongol Rally 2008
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SMS Update

we've made it! 8900 miles/ 14300 kms. 20 countries. 4 flats. Broken exhaust. Broken gears. Car and noses full of dust. Rescue missions. 47 degree heat. Hijabs. And best of all meeting some of the most wonderful people across the world. We've had an amazing adventure. Thankyou all for your incredible support. Were now off to find ourselves a COLD beer. MadMinx & Toolkit

Virginia Simpson
Of Mad Minx
On the The Mongol Rally 2008
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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SMS Update

Amazing few days. From horrendous rocky tracks, fording rivers & off-road routes that we thought would defeat poor Minx, she pulled through (with a few battle scars!) to then chew up some great distance on real Steppes grassland tracks.. speeding along, dust plumes in our wake! Proper Rallying stuff. We finally reached 'real' roads; still only dirt but feels like we have broken the back of Mongolia off-road & daring to think UB in our sights..

Virginia Simpson
Of Mad Minx
On the The Mongol Rally 2008
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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SMS Update

Five AM starts testing! Pasta and mystery tinned fish also straining on the group. 13 hours driving yesterday and no flats or major dramas except for grounding the car on what was a flat road. It was it was! Lots of camels and yaks. Love the friendly people. They look at our gifts of pencils in bemusement. Can't smoke or drink those! Driving through tosontengel now. The girls have yak hair

Virginia Simpson
Of Mad Minx
On the The Mongol Rally 2008
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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SMS Update

travelling with purple beetle 'bud' which has only two gears and requires a push start. Not easy on sand! We hit a rock y'day and jammed exhaust into gears. Gears fixed. Exhaust now miraculously higher but now sending fumes out sideways. Continuously getting bogged but Mongolian horseman are coming to our rescue. Ginny has food poisoning from local yak cheese. Tough travelling but were hanging in there @

Virginia Simpson
Of Mad Minx
On the The Mongol Rally 2008
HIGHLIGHT ON MAP
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SMS Update

Unfortunately after many thousands of miles in convoy 'Bataard Tomato' died and abandoned today - along with owner Andrew - in middle of idyllic Mongolian wilderness! He will attempt to return to Olgly for assistance + reassess. We are now pushing on thru stunningly beautiful + remote central route in convoy with 'Buds Big Adventure'... miracle if the cars make it thru this wilderness!