10 days to go, Hilary looks more like a rally car every day! Visas are hopefully on the way, spares are mounting up slowly, and the music library is being burned. We still have no spare wheels/tyres though, have no maps, and have to somehow build a roof rack on a convertible!! Watch this space.
The launch party for the rally is at Hyde Park, North Carriage Driveway at midday on Saturday 30th July. Check the mongol rally website for details. It would be great to see any friends there for the moral support
Friday 29th July - The time has come, Hilary is as eager to get on the road as us. We are fully packed and ready for Hyde Park...ish! We are hugely stressed and in a mad panic, and we've still got an early start in the morning...so were going for a beer!
Saturday 30th July - Well we got underway on time after negotiating our way to Hyde Park (lets hope the rest of the journey is easier) Thanks to all those who came to see us off.
Monday 1st August 15.45 pm - Hi guys. We are fine and dandy. Hilary (our trusty steed) is coping beautifully . We have just passed 1000miles, safely negotiatting France, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Rpublic without a hitch until we picked up our first fine for travelling down a Prauge tramway in the wrong direction !!. Off to Poland and hopefully into Ukraine tonight with a bit of luck. Hope all is well at home will update soon
Wed 3rd August 10.56 - Wer'e 340km from Kiev, cruising with the Minors and in high spirits. The car is a dream. The police arn't interested. We managed to camp in some farmers field last night!! Moo!!
22.30 - Just woken from the dream. Hilary's undergarments are causing a problem. The transfer box sounds like a pneumatic drill. Found a cheap hotel for the night and will find a mechanic to fix her tomorrow, hopefully! MOO XX
Thursday 4th August 11.44 - Sitting in main Suzuki spares station for Ukraine waiting to see the manager. Transfer box has definitely gone and may take weeks to come. Might need to find a Lada ! Poo !!
16.08 - Has anydody out there got a transfer box?
Friday 5th August 17.00 - Lovely but lazy day in Kiev just waiting. Problems all sorted, hopefully. Transfer box arriving from Heathrow tomorrow and will be fitted by samaritan mechanic Igoron Monday when the harcore rallying restarts. Moo x
Mon 8th August - Good news, new transfer box arrived from London on Sat (Thanks to Sammy and Mrs Litherland for organising) and we finally managed to get it out of customs today . Should be fitted by Igor tomorrow and wer'e on our way to Volergraad. All is well having a great time. Mooo x D&G
10th August 6.54 - Were on our way at last, almost at the Russian border having driven through the night. We appear to have lost 1st gear entirely and have to pull away in 2nd. Confidence rocked a bit but wer'e smiling.
11.57 Have left Ukraine and are patiently waiting in 'No Man's land' waiting to enter Russia. It's a scorcher.
11th August 11.58 - Mechanic in Volograd says theres nothing wrong with our car, so he must be right! Onward to Kazakh with a clutch and 3 gears, of sorts Mooooxx
12.04 - Just bought 5 tomatoes 4 red peppers and a giant atermelon at the roadside for less than 50p. Its time to picknic with the Fiat force. Yumoooo x
12th August 19.05 - Up partying till 6am this morning with fiat force and 15 others at garage whiile FF car being repaired I don't think they want us to leave, everyone is still samashed. Good vodka though.
14th August 9.36 - Leaving Atyran for Aktobe in Kazakh. No first gear, clutch on the way out and losing reverse as I write. Whats worse, have you seen the size of Kazakhstan.
15.25 - In Kazakh, staying at an Italian guys hotel. The roads here are mental, not even built yet.
16th August 7.00am - Travelling through Kazakhstan with Fiat Force (only 5 gears between us), roads are atrocious, thinking of heading North to Russia for better roads. We're being constantly stopped by really friendly Kazakh's for a chat. Our car and all of our gear are absolutely coverered in dust, but we're still having fun.
18th August - Heading North in Kazakh in convoy with Fiat Force and Saints and Scholars toward Qostanay, the on to Russian border. Car running smoothly now but roof rack has ripped off car. Should have listened to John and fitted shakeproof washers.
Got a bit lost but all back together now, camping on a hilltop somewhere in North Kazakh, drinking beer and vodka.
19th August - Fiat Force has broken down again!! stopped by two random mechanic guys, taken to their house for shower and meal, we feel like kings. They filled us all up with petrol for free before saying goodbye We even got our picture in the local paper.
20th August 5.44 - Just slept in a random Kazakh house near the Russian border. It turns out that the guy is a customs officer so he'll help us through the border, sweet! He also bought us brekkie.
15.00 - In 'no mans land' again, between kazakhstan and Russia. One of our convoy, the Fiat's, steering has completely gone, as in it doesn't steer. We have no idea what to do. We can't even push it.
22nd August 10.14 - Heading for the Mongolian border, have left FF and S&S in Omsk getting thier cars repaired. Hopefully hit the border tomorrow lunchtime, about 15 hours.
23rd August - Now In Mongolia, car losing power, but pressing on. Almost there !!
25th August 7.25 - In a town cal Khovd. The fiesta is getting new tyres and exhaust. Crossing the rivers is proving V tricky but rewarding. Everyone wants to buy Hilary 1000$.
26th August 17.39 - Now in Altai, just spent 10 hours towing Wrongolia boys up2181m mountain. Hilary struggled but instant hero status means it was worth it. Beer's on them tonight!!
27th August 1.47 - Waking up in Altai. Will leave the Fiesta boys after farewell beers last night. Will ride solo to the finish line 1000km is all that can stop us now! Woo Moo!!
14.30 - Nearly there. About 650km to go.
28th August 14.08 - Just leaving Arvikheer now. Last 450km leg into Ulan Bator. Car won't start with key but when it's going it runs like a dream. Nothing stopping our progress bar one flat tyre! x
