For anyone as anal as me here arw some statistics:
Overall 38 days from london to Ulan Ude
9,985 miles
31 days driving average mileage 322 miles oer driving day
3 days over 500 miles, longest day 525 miles
Used 1015 litres of fuel (it is possible I forgot to record a fill up)
Consumption, 44 mog or 10 2 litres oer 100 km
26 nights in hotels / hostels
7 camping
3 air bnb
1 on the Caspian Sea ferry
1 Turkmenistan immigration
3 ferries, cross channel, Dardanelles and Caspian Sea.
Highest point in Pamirs 4,650m
21 countries.
This marks the end of an epic adventure. We have visted places we would never normally go to, met some great people locally and fellow ralliers. Some of the spots I would not go back to, however, it had also given me ideas to plan other trips. To mis-quote from Jaws - "we're going to need a bigger car". I have my eyes on a Toyota Land Cruiser!
James has been great travelling companion, navigator, co-driver and a god send on managing air bnb, maps, Booking.com and research. Though there is some sense of an anti-climax having finished. Sometimes it is better to travel than arrive.
We fly to Moscow tomorrow then back home on Friday.
Thank you everyone who has supported us via Cool Earth and those of you who have continued to read my ramblings over the past 6 weeks. Look forward to seeing you all soon.
We handed over our trusty steed to the clutches of tbe shipping company and russian railways. Feel a bit sad leaving her behind. She has done so well to get us here without any real issues. Overall by the time we dropped her off we had traveled 9,985 miles.
Will next see her in Harwich.
Sight seing in Ulan Ude is not up to much.
Wenr to 5he only Buddhist monastry that was sanctioned by Kenin!
Peaceful.
Then back for a carwash.
The carpark attendant at our hotel thinks ita Christmas, the car needs to be empty for shipping. We have donated; jerry cans, spare food and othe extra stuff. On the way to the rail head there is a donation point for camping gear so will also do that.
Finished! Arrived in Ulan Ude!
Visited tbe modern art gallery and an orthodox church. Compared to othwr Siberian cities this is a bit disapointing. Hopefully dinner will be better thsn lunch.
Last day into Ulan Ude tomoroe, then sort the cat to have her shipped home all being well.
Rolled into Irtusk at mid day today. So far not living up to expectations, but we have found the modern art gallery.
On the final stretch. Over 500 miles today which leaves a shortish day tomorrow into Irtusk so we can do some sight seeing.
Last night's stop
Pushed on to Krasnoyarsk today. Road was generalky good but somw horrible delays through roadworks. Scenery is very northern European.
Krasnoyarsk isa bustli g city with a very picturesque river. Beers un a riverside bar rhe dinner.
