Well we did it! Arrived yesterday afternoon in a thunderstorm and headed for the Mongol finish line. Met all our buds from the road and had some food before being directed to a little known hotel but we find ourselves in a penthouse apartment on the 11th floor for the price of a budget hotel. Had a great night at the party yesterday but paid for it today. As a result seen nothing of the city but about to host an F1 party in the room.

Only 83.2km to UB! Started to think about our entrance music- it's a toss up between indiana jones lost crusade or back to the future theme tune! Witnessed a horse race this morn- it seemed like the 10 year old riders had grown up in the saddle. Going to crash mongol rally finish line and celebrate tonight with some orange juice and lemonade. Wont be seeing you before 12 tomorrow.

Sat round the camp fire on our last camp trying to sum up this journey but that is pretty much an impossible task. 13 countries, endless cities, some incredible and interesting, others instantly forgettable, roads that will destroy any vehicle, but, the people throughout have been nothing but stunningly nice and friendly. The people we've travelled with have made our journey far more enjoyable and the van has been a revelation. The engine is running on rubbish diesel now but it has never skipped a beat. Hopefully this isn't tempting fate but it does feel we are nearing the end. The plan is to make Ulaan Baatar tomorrow afternoon and get on it. x

Waaaaaaaahhhhh hello tarmac!! Camped in a great spot amongst some rock formations last night, lit a fire and hit some attractive 250 yard drives with the big bertha. Woke up and left late which is our new habit and arrived at the beginning of the brand new road with no holes in about an hour later. The fire engine has lost a shock so we're fixing that quickly in Arvayheer before pushing on towards ub maybe arriving tomorrow afternoon. Er yes!

Had a slice of luxury in Bayankhangor last night. Hot shower, bed and a big meal with a load of ralliers. Big river crossing yesterday, bit touch and go at one stage. Spirits are high- only 519kms until finish line. Had a tempting 2000 dollar offer for the van- we have put him in touch with dulguun!

In the one yak town of altai, about to set off. Slept in a bed last night which resembled a damp trench and rocked like a boat in gale force winds. Visited a graveyard of mongol rally cars last night- it seems that alot of skodas have bit the dust. Anyway, after last nights noodles and ketchup and a mongolian version of sting-roxanne we feel ready for any roads, whether it be full of camel dung, pot holes the size of monaco or just plain rutted. Current William hill odds for UB arrival 6-1 for saturday. (blog from Tuesday sent Wednesday)

Quite a day yesterday on the graveyard road as so many cars started to come a cropper. We lost a front tyre to a bent rim, both rear brakes got stuck on and left me with no braking. Woke up to a puncture this morning from a huge bolt which was stuck in the tyre. Onto the good roads now though and should make Altay today and check straight into a hotel. The van will be checked in to a mechanic as well to fix the exhaust and tires. Just packed up and ready to hit the road x

A good morning has quickly gone down the drain. Caught up to one of the Italian Pandas that we're near who had ruined his suspension. Quickly discovered that we had bent a rim on one of the front wheels so had to downsize back to the smaller ones and we'll see if we can get it fixed at the next town. The Panda is in real trouble and the fire engine has had to put on a new fan belt so it was a triple breakdown. Heading for Altay about 400km away won't make it today but should be tomorrow. The word is that the worst roads are to come for about 100km. This journey just became a bit more real

Every town we reach is a real acheivement now. Made it to Khovd about half an hour ago. Theres a rally camp here so we're catching up with some of the people we've met and having some lunch and a shower. Last night we stayed with a Kazakh herdsman in his house. They fed us and we slept on their floor. The hospitality they showed us was absolutely incredible and they asked for nothing in return. We pooled some presents together with the fire engine crew and handed them over to say thank you. 3 river crossings done and the exhaust has come apart twice but we're trying to fix the hole with a baked beans tin. Good spirit still in our strange convoy and we'll find another great camp spot in this stunning place tonight x

Just reached Olgii this morning and have stocked up supplies and fuel. Camped with about 10 cars last night and we all headed off this morning at various intervals. Whittled down to us and a 1968 fire engine with three germans inside and we're staying with them for the forseeable future. Came across a brand new tarmac road for about 20km which was a pleasant surprise. Back on the rough stuff as we head out of town x