Ovorkhangai, Mongolia

since leaving Bayankhongor we broke the complete exhaust system off, which is now strapped to the roof. Broke the fuel pump assembly again which brought us to an immediate stop, only to then find we were lost so had to camp there. This morning we finally fixed the fuel pump after 2 attempts and had to drain the tank which was still full of water. Eventually found the right track (we were very lost!) and the car is now running well, though noisey. We're dedicating this leg of the rally to Ian Morris whose donation of parts to help fix our car has kept us in the rally. Until next time... John

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 08:45 UTC 24th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

Bayankhongor, Mongolia

the road from Khovd was bad, dusty and full of surprises. Took an old Mongolian lady to hospital in Altai after she was in a car crash (not with us), had 3 more punctures and got stuck crossing a river and had to be towed out by a local with a tractor. Car still running but not well as fuel now full of water! Once we fix that problem we will continue eastward. Until next time... John

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 03:23 UTC 22nd August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

Khovd, Mongolia

10km from Olgii our newly fixed rally car broke down again. Same problem as yesterday (broken fuel pump housing) but this time we fixed it ourselves with some wire and a large slice of luck. It at least got us going again until we finally limped into Khovd late, spending the nignt in a ger (traditional round tent). Re-built the pump housing and now back on the road heading east. Until next time... John

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 07:42 UTC 21st August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

Bayan Olgii, Mongolia

arrived yesterday being towed by an ambulance. Left the car with a mechanic who was finishing for the day. Returned this morning and the Punto is fixed. We are back in the rally! Until next time...@

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 10:20 UTC 20th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

, Mongolia

couldn't get car started and we've just got a puncture while being towed to Olgii, so it's not been a good day so far....and it's only lunchtime! Scenery is nice though! Until next time... John

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 06:55 UTC 20th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

, Mongolia

after an 8 hour wait and bad mannered officials we finally left Russia. We were met at the Mongolia border by a guard that smiled and said "hello, welcome to Mongolia". I was speechless! Got through ok but all rally cars are held in a compound overnight....along with us. With 12 other teams we had a Compound Party, and we were eventually released into Mongolia late morning. On the road now though we're currently stopped because the car has just decided to stop. Sean, with the help of other rally teams is trying to fix it. Watch this space! Until next time... John

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 07:41 UTC 19th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

, Russia

been waiting at Russia customs for 5 hours and now all the officials have gone to lunch. 10 other rally teams also here so we've been playing cricket.... England v's everyone else!

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 11:57 UTC 17th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

Barnaul, Russia

after leaving Semey we drove straight to the border. Apart from being asked by a Kazakh customs official for my wrist watch as a 'gift for Kazakhstan' (he didn't get it) the crossing was hassle free taking only 45 minutes. Lucky? Or has some of that Italian charm rubbed off onto us? Either way we're through and on our way to Barnaul. If everything goes well we should be at the Mongolian border tomorrow. Until next time... John@

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 11:19 UTC 14th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

, Kyrgyzstan

with Tajikistan behind me i can claim to have survived the Pamir Hwy, it's a pity the cars exhaust can't! It now sounds like a proper rally car. Once we left Tajikistan the roads improved so we've made good distance in the last 2 days. Now in Bishkek, crossing into Kazakhstan later today. Until next time.... John@

John Keogh
Of Carry On To Mongolia
On the The Mongol Rally 2011 03:02 UTC 11th August 2011

HIGHLIGHT ON MAP

, Tajikistan

after leaving Samarkand we entered Tajikistan a few days ago and met the worst roads on the rally so far. Drove the 3372m high Anzob Pass, made it through the Tunnel of Death, and now following the Pyanj river on the Afghanistan border. Last nigt in Kala-i-Khum. Will follow the border until Khorog then through the Pamirs. Until next time...