Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
we have made it just.
Altay, China
What a day. People who describe Mongolia as a car-breaker are not lying! After the boot incident yesterday, the problems seemed to come in groups... The abs has packed up, we picked up a rather enthusiastic puncture and the car refused to start. Then, a few miles down the road, our rear left damper collapsed and started peeing oil over the brake. Oh and then to top it off, the car wouldn't start, and when we did get it going, it got stuck in sand and stalled again! Anyways, we camped under a beautiful sky last night with another team (who have 3 holes in their petrol tank) and fixed a couple of things, so we're limping to altay now to try and fix the rest. All in good spirits though after laughing at the other team for buying a litre of mayonnaise, thinking it was pasta sauce!
Khovd, Mongolia
going to try and get as close to Altay as possible. Roads are diabolical, already passed a team with a totally smashed alloy wheel and two with punctured fuel tanks. We got stuck in the sand for the first time this morning, and spent half an hour digging ourselves out. Then came two large river crossings big enough to get water inside the car! Then came our own inevitable breakdown... In the form of our boot flying open as the boot catch had fallen to pieces - although it was so rough we didn't notice for 5 mins! Its being held down with bungees now.
Khovd, Mongolia
reached Khovd after driving on some of the worst roads I have ever seen. Averaging 20mph maximum and having to cross several rivers. Reached Khovd just before nightfall, and got fed some grub. Heading off to sleep in our first ger now!
Bayan Olgii, Mongolia
finally in mongolia! What a place, absolutely desolate so far, but a lovely family has put us up for the night. Been fed the local food of a mix of mutton, pasta and potatoes. Nice. Out comes the vodka and its shots and arm wrestling for dessert...
Bayan Olgii, Mongolia
Sorry for the lack of updates, folks, Mongolian signal aint great! So here is a summary of the last few da.
Altai Republic, Russia
Waiting at the border now, should have opened 40 mins ago - there's a pretty big queue and we heard that the mongolians are not familiar with queues! About 10 rally vehicles all absolutely nose to tail...@
Altai Republic, Russia
Nuts. The Russian side of the Russia - Mongolia border is closed on Sundays. Just gonna have to wait until tomorrow morning to get through. Lots of other teams here though!@
Altai Republic, Russia
Nearing our final border crossing now! We're trying to replace the punctured tyre, but it doesn't seem to be a very popular size here! Reports say that Mongolia is going to be pretty hardcore, so we're gearing up for it and gritting our teeth. Camped up last night with the Scottish lads - its freezing in this part of Russia! The odometer has just ticked to 10000 miles as I write this - and we've felt every mile!
, Mana River, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
Not too far to the border now. Driving with 3 Scottish lads in an American ambulance - 6.5 litre diesel engine, what a machine! Probably not going to make it tonight, so we're going to pitch up when we're near and try it tomorrow - although it might be closed tomorrow as well... Hmm, might have to wait until Monday!
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