Postscript

Well we have finally handed over King Juan Karlos to the charities here in Mongolia. By the time that you read this blog, the car will have been sold and the proceeds go to the Mongolian charities. There will be no shortage of takers and we recknon that the car will sell here in Mongolia for about $3,500. So that will make a big difference we hope, and King Juan goes on with a family here in Mongolia.

Over the last week we have travelled out of UB, it may be the capital, but we simply couldn't stay...the pace (or the food) would have killed us. We have been to some incredible places across Mongolia, and will post some of the incriminating photos when we get back to the UK next week.

Looking forward to catching up on our return.

P+S 

 

 

 

 

The end

Well we made it to Ulaan Baator. The finish line...what a disappointment. Never mind, the journey was great and the people that we met along the way were fantastic. Karlos stays here in UB (after a little local sightseeing). Not sure that it was a good decision, because we get the sense that the car donation thing is a bit of a scam. Shame. We would have preferred to sell the car ourselves and donate the money...this is not an option that we now have. The Just Giving donations are out of the organisors control and is safe. We will continue raising money until the end of September. Thanks for all your support - dontations, tracking and messages.

Love, P+S

 

 

  

Crossing the Border

The team are doing incredibly well. After a mere 20 hour wait at Border Control, they have now got all the relevant bits of paper and are IN MONGOLIA!!! They are making great progress and expect to be in Ulaanbataar by 7pm this evening (about midday UK time).

At the big puddle

Well Karlos an his crew are at the big puddle...actually the largest freshwater lake in the world. Apparently, even though it is the 24th August Lake Baikal is officially in the middle of autumn. God help them when the winter comes!

Great trip so far, met some fantastic people on the way. On the way from Krasnoyarsk we stopped for the obligatory cuppa. Met three families who were by a lake (is there a pattern developing here?) for their sunday picnic. Picnic in England conjours up images of sandwiches, cake and tea. But no, this is Russia. Picnic means barbecued wildlife and beer plus a large bottle of vodka and whisky. Well we exchanged some gifts - we acquired a watch, a child's soft toy and a piece of ribbon (?). I am sure that he is still looking for his watch now he has sobered up. I do hope that they like the replica minature London bus, telephone box and Houses of Parliament.

We are ahead of schedule and plan to look around Lake Baikal and then explore the remaining miles to Ulaan Baatar slowly. We have about 600 miles to go.

See you soon.... 

 

     

 

On through Russia

Peter and Simon are both ok and knocking the miles down through Russia - about 1100 now completed.

Karlos doesn't think much of the M53, in many places it is just a large stoned track.. Karlos is managing ok, but has a few more noises, had to replace two wheels now and had the tracking sorted as he was all over the place.

Fuel expensive here, now costs ten pounds to fill the tank.

Had the tent out again last night and washed ourselves and karlos in the fresh water lake..

Kazakhastan

Border crossing was easier than expected - with a little encouragment - three Mongol Rally T-shirts! Good people!! We had urgent maintenance done on the car - see the uploaded photos for more detail. This was serious work. On our way through Kazakh to the Russian border ....then the long trek across Russia.

Having a great time in Almaty. Missing you all! P+S