Jaiselmer

Arrived here Saturday pm after nearly blowing up the engine in desert of Rajesthan. THis fortified city is an astonishing place situated as it is in the desert. Party last night and we got a prize for "old but cool" We got thunderous applause well it seemed it. Driving 2300 Km without a windscreen was a cause for much amusement and awe.

Now Monday waiting for taxi to station to get flight wed back to uk

Best wishes to all other Rickshaw Runners and safe journey home

Sorted - last day

Saturday and we are here in Jaisalmer although there were moments when we thought we would never arrive.

Last night we stayed in Pokeram Fort the hereditary home of Indian Royalty for thirteen generations. The present Duke was at home and welcomed us with open arms, he even delayed the opening of the fort until had had a long lie in and we had finished our breakfast!!.

Yesterday our tuc having been sorted by a passing mechanic(for a smile and a handshake) was going great, today it was rubbish, requiring a rest after every 5K, sometimes less. Thanks to Top Boys for the spark plug - it seemed to help for a bit- so 100K took over 5hrs.

However we have made it and after 2500K, probably a bit more (speedo broke in Nepal) we are going to have a look around the ancient city of Jaisalmer and perhaps have a few beers.

This is not the safest thing that we have ever done but OHM has protected us (OHM, a hindu symbo; for good luck tied to the front of Geordie Jogger).

 

To all those following us  - we are both well and going sight seeing.

Uttar Pradesh, India

Saw taj mahal very impressive. 2moro jaipure. Roads we have been told is good but indian def of gnod not same as ours

So we have had to treat ourselves

 20th September, - -Agra. After a night in a rather inaptly named resort near Kanpur we have arrived in Agra and along with a few others we have treated ourselves to some western style acomodation.

Staying in a superb hotel with all mod cons and a pretty good restaurant we are recovering from a night in the worst hotel of our trip so far.

Last night we were in Barah, it took an hour for the beers to arrive from somewhere down the road and another 2 for the food to appear. The "resort" is a mickey mouse affair and if anyone ever goes there they are surely going to be disappointed, does Mickey know they use his characters in their inducements? 

Today we drove the easy 260K to Agra and there we had our brakes fixed, pity they were not fixed before we set off!!!!

En-route we shared the dual carriageway with Tata lorries which were driving the wrong way down, and  cars, donkeys and pretty much anything else. A strike action closed the road for an hour and as a result we were drenched in a rainstorm(remember we have no windscreen), when we got to Agra we paddled through the lakesized puddlea axle deep and more in places The hotel is good though and the company great. Tomorrow is our rest day, we are going to see the Taj Mahal. 

Bahraich sat. Had to get...

Bahraich sat. Had to get roof rack welded before settiog off. Border crossing torture. Need more welding done on engine mounting which f 2 days has been held together with rope and a prayer@

Brian has gone and got it fixed for now, welded the sub frame and the engine mounting back together and repaired the broken support for the roof.The whole thing was done with remarkable efficiency and cost us Rs 650. While he was at it he tried a #sweetie# which turned out to be chewing tobacco Yuk!

Tomorrow pray for dry weather - we stil have no window and the glass was left in Nepal - by accident or design. Time for another beer

Still in Nepal

At Narayanghat which is about half way through Nepal. Monsoon sarted with vengeance but only after we had checked into lovely hotel with pool and gardens. a big change from last night when we shared bedroom with Ghecko and lots of beetles. Toilet cistern dropped of wall when i pressed lever water everywhere. Slight engine problem but Brian drained carb and cleaned air filter. Rained as as we had no windscreen had to drive with poncho and goggles but it was ok.

Tuesday Lalvandi - Ihadtoask

Road from Darj was very cut up and doing 12 KPH max then down a scary hill with lots of harpin bends. THen off to Nepal border when the windscreen came loose,shaken by a big sleeping policeman . Tried to fix it but the breeze with out it is so cooling and the visibilty beter. Crossed border and went 20 K to a town and were shown a hotel by a very nice old neapalese manwher we had another fine meal $60 dollarsb for room and meal  and beeeeeeeers. Not saying how many but I kept tabs on brian

Set off for day three at 7 and have travelled 300K which is good progress. THe people are so polite and interestedin what we are doing they wave and shout as we pass. Its quite humbling. It ishot and sticky. so humid thattoilet paper turns to paper mache when you touch it but I wont persue that avenue of cvonversation further. We have chevked in to very modest "guest house" but has all facilities including TV. The owner very helpful and kind.

 Our Rickity shaw is safetly behind a cage and we are looking forward toafamily curry with our host.

Early start tomorow

our tune

                                                          The Rickshaw Races With apologies to all Geordies and Geordie Ridley especially We went to the Rickshaw Races

T'was late in the afternoon

On a sunny day in the Himalay

Thought there's no more monsoon

We took a bus from Baghdogra

an she was heavy laden

away we went along Gangtok Road

those two old men from Blaydon

  Oh me lads, you should have seen us gannin

Passing the folks along the road

And all of them were starin

All the lads and lasses there

They all had smilin faces

Gannin alang the Gangtok Road

To do the Rickshaw Races.

  We flew past the Darjiling line

And crossed to the Napali State

But gannin ower the bumpy road

We knew we were too late

The lasses lost their rucksacks

and the Tuks had broken braces

I got two black eyes and a broken rib

In doing the Rickshaw Races.

  Oh me lads-----------

-----------------------

Gannin along the Kathmandu Road

To do the Rickshaw Races.

  Now when  we got it all back on

Away we went again

Headed off for Lucknow town

to meet some fowke from hyem

Then we went to Agra

and sought the Taj Mahal

T'was when we knew that our rickshaw

was always our good pal.

  Oh me lads---------------

------------------------------

Gannin along the Bikanar Road

In search of the Jaiselmer castle.

  The rain it poured down all the day

We thought the monsoon had ended

The tuk got stuck in thick brown clay

Our money it was spended

With a couple of pulls from two old mules

 the lads were up and moving

so that was when we saw the end

and then we started boozing.

  Oh me lad------------

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Gannin to find the train back home

To see them all in Blaydon