Heathrow.

What larks in the Motherland.
Single lane traffic queing up at railway crossing suddenly turns into 2 lanes when cars hare up the outside. This turned into 3 lanes then one of many clapped out Ladas that somehow go faster than the latest BMW's, Audis etc tried to make a 4th lane but ended up playing Roly Poly down a ditch!! Gave us all a giggle...
He even managed to climb out and rejoin traffic!
Brilliant!

Heathrow. The eagle has landed.

Found the CDPF compound yesterday and handed the car over. A strange feeling that was having lived in and relied on the old girl for what seemed like an age. But the staff there were very hospitable and sat us down giving up food and beer for breakfast. Which sat better than expected. One can a piece was enough though. We chatted heartily with them for a good couple of hours discussing border crossings, the Ukraine, routes and the crazy roads here. After unloading the vehicle and several photographic opportunities we were taken to a hotel where we shall be based untill our flight home. Having been invited by our new friends to Dave's Place that evening we showered once again (more cold water) we met up and had a meal in the hotel.  read more »

We're here. In UlaanBataar. But what a mission to get here yesterday. After leaving the last town before our destination. We discovered tarmac. Lovely tarmac. Which we were adamant couldn't last. But it just went on and on. Our hopes risen we pressed on using fifth gear, a treat in itself, and discussing what wondrous food we would consume that evening. Then fifty miles out, Mongolia threw it's final coup de gras. The black top ended. Our dreams dashed we pushed on across country following the remnants of a road. Darkness fell and a refuel in the dark required leaving our moods rather sanguine. Getting lost once more we ended up following other cars as we knew we were close. Driving over a mud built carrier we stupidly had assumed was there for a reason. We were in. Albeit a little later than planned. With a bed for the night and a cold shower we finally retired at 2 this morning.

WE'VE MADE IT!!! :-D we pushed real hard, found tarmac stretching over 200 miles. Easily long enough for us to believe it would glide us all the way into the capitol... Shame on us for thinking this, the strangest of lands would for once do the sensible thing. The road suddenly ended and threw almost 170 more miles of the hard stuff as a final test it seemed which we had to negotiate the last 100 in darkness! A couple of pitch black wild goose chases and the city appeared. We're starved and exhausted and once again BLOODY ELATED!! More about the city later when we peel our strained eyes from the windscreen! :-D...cut to commercial!