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| 11: 45 7th August |
| My apologies for the lack of posts over the last three days- I have encountered a few technical problems of my own. The three travellers have now finally reached the territory of the former Unspeakable Union of Still-born Republics, and are now in the fine (ex-Polish, it has to be said) city of Lviv in Western Ukraine (click here for a guide to the city and some photographs of the place). Recent text messages give a clue to the problems they have encountered, although it seems as though these hardships are merely strengthening their resolve. As soon as the gearbox was fixed, the dynamo core burnt out, and Mission Control in Walthamstow is to organise the emergency shipping of a new one tomorrow. In the meantime, Steve and Bill appear to have gone sightseeing in Kiev. Sadly the two other cars in the convoy, a jeep and a Rascal Romahome, which houses Pandora's People have decided to press on, but the Pro-Racing Team, possibly this one, have joined them. The current unknown whereabouts of Dick Dastardly, the Anthill Mob and Penelope Pitstop are giving cause for some concern. |
| click here for earlier reports |
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| 11:45 10th August |
| A slightly worrying hiatus has developed in that the dynamo I have arranged to be shipped out to L'viv has still not arrived.WAREHOUSE ENTRY CLEARANCE DETAILS, NECESSARY FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FROM THE RECEIVER says the UPS website, but Customer Services say that isn't a problem and we need do nothing. It's to do with barcoding problems in Kiev, apparently. Clearly this is annoying. Dynamo was in kiev last night. Still not here this evening. So stuck in lvov for another night. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Need to escape soon. reflect Bill and Steve in their latest text. An article has appeared in the Sutton Guardian, using one of my photographs from the launch, and an interview with Steve's wife. Click here to read it. |
| 11:45 11th August |
| With a little luck, the dynamo will shortly be released from Ukrainian customs. A series of telephone calls between me, Bill, Steve and UPS appear to be resolving the issue. Either that or the local mafia is cornering the market in second-hand Morris Minor parts. The limited delights of L'viv are beginning to pall. Bill told me over the phone that "we've visited the Catholic cathedral, the Orthodox cathedral and the Armenian cathedral. We've run out of sects". I had to ask him to repeat the last bit... |
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