Onto our third Stan!

Arrived into Dushanbe, Tajikistan last night - border crossing was reasonably painless. We have successfully navigated our way through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Pamir highway starts today - google it - it looks amazing!!

Shipping issues

So we've been in Baku since Saturday night. After dropping dad off at the airport, we headed into town and checked into a hotel at around 3.30am. Since waking up on Sunday morning (now Wednesday) we have been trying to negotiate our way onto a boat to Turkmenistan. Not wanting to grease the palms of the local 'fixer' we decided to try on our own. There are now around 40 teams camped at the port and with 2 new ferries off the water with engine problems it's a complete guess as to when we might get on one of the remaining boats!

There are worse places to be stuck, Baku is a pretty cool city and although the car can't leave the port, we are still free to wander around the city.

Fingers crossed we make it before our Turkmenistan visa expires!!

Black Sea Sunrise

Waking up to the sunrise over the Black Sea was pretty special this morning!

Anyone for a Singalong?

Well Spotify just crapped itself on us, so we officially have no music. Also the 2 koalas hanging onto our aerial seem to have caused too much drag and ripped it off, so we also have no radio! Anyone for a singalong?!

1st stop

First stop in Roubaix, northern France. Managed to find a pizza shop open for some food and now off to bed. Gareth still going strong!!

Back in Blighty and the countdown begins

We arrived back in the UK to a glorious rainy summer's day on Saturday.

Picked up from the airport and whisked to St Albans where family awaited, we were introduced to Gareth the Agila. We had seen photos online and even Skyped a couple of times, but nothing was quite like seeing him in the flesh.

A quick look under the bonnet, twisted a couple of things that looked like they should be twisted and kicked all four tyres just to make sure.

Almost 5 minutes after meeting him, we confirmed that he will make it to Mongolia. He will!

7 Year Itch First Blog

So with less than 4 weeks to go before we leave Australia team 7 Year Itch is finally getting round to our first blog post.

What's in a name ... 7 years after meeting in Glasgow we got bored of London and buggered off, spending a few months exploring India and south east Asia, finally settling in Melbourne. Now, another 7 years later we're off on the next adventure - the Mongol Rally!

With a to-do list as long a Mongolian Death Worm (yes its really a thing - look it up!) we are feeling suitably under prepared. To take our mind off what really needs to be done, we met up yesterday with some other ralliers based in Melbourne for a few quiet beers!


Needless to say there was a lot of talk of visas, the ridiculousness of what we are all about to do, as well as whose car was ultimately the shittest. As we are in Australia and none of us have seen them, we didn't really come to any sort of conclusion. But the beer was tasty!

Until next time, wherever that may be ...