Just out of russia.10days from ub.Chilling out at the beach in finland-Lada is a bit tired.Can't wait to get back home.

Corkmongolia have reached ub.Tough going in northern mongolia but the Lada is built of pretty tough stuff.Having a well deserved pint in dave's bar.

87: heading for altai to camp and wait for the Mongol border to open monday morn.met some Mongol rally teams-looks like border's going to be busy.

In Novosibirsk.watching the eclipse at the beach then heading for the Mongolian border.the place is full of astronomy types from the us saying complicated eclipse related stuff.

Off again after a break in almaty.met a canadian guy who's living there brought us to all the best spots and to the Lada parts shop.new rad cap and a few other bits so running a lot better now.roads pretty bad.mozzies everywhere.almost 11 thou km clocked up.

50: just woken up by the sound of cows being herded through campsite.heading for almaty.so far kaz is good.people nice,roads not too bad.lada needs retuning for every tank of juice.otherwise going well.

Ashgabat.5*hotel.well deserved.Lada can rest tomorrow.we're not going anywhere.ashgabat is weird.wide streets,monuments everywhere but no people.curfew at 11 so must go stock up on beer.

43: heading for the turkmen border.stayed in a motel last night.toilet was 5 doors down and still smelled too close.people are amazing-have never got this much of a welcome anywhere.heading for ashgabat for a much needed day off.

Nearly at Mashad.turkmenistan tomorrow.dying for a beer.Lada not liking the heat and hills.fuel 10 litres for a dollar.illegal to sell it to foreigners though,so gets interesting at stations.like an oven.heat doesnt even let up at night.