FINISH LINE CELEBRATIONS!

FUN IN THE FINAL DAYS...

R.I.P. Matilda

Three days ago, our car Matilda succumbed to the elements and died in the middle of a huge sand storm.

Her front left wheel and suspension completely sheared off. Our convoy mates were valiant in their attempt to resuscitate her, with their arms bleeding from sand cuts in the height of the storm. We sold her to a local and are now completing the rest of the adventure in our convoy's cars, disappointed but not defeated!

We are now expecting to arrive by Sunday - the remaining cars are sharing breakdowns but we're all determined to finish - even if we're the first Mongol ralliers to arrive riding camels and yaks!

More photos added below - and now for a quick tribute to our convoy mates

When it's time to fix the cars, that means it's time for the boys it's time for crack o'clock...


Below: Taxistan have caught up with us! Their London taxi does travel considerably faster and we can confirm that you can fit 11 people in it quite comfortably...


When camping in sites with pit toilets, the best approach is to take a car airfreshener, strap it around your nose and then tie a buff around your face before entering the dreaded outhouse. We all agree that bush camping is much more convenient!


Sardi getting to know the newest mascot Dave, who has now been siliconed to the front of Top Gun's car, much to Ben's joy...

Anyone for ping pong?

The above are just a few photos taken over the last few days of our convoy mates that really do just speak for themselves....

Scroll below to previous blogs for more photos that we've added.

Our next post will probably be from Ulaan Baatar - the finish line!!!

The final frontier! Heading to the finish line now!

WE MADE IT TO MONGOLIA!!!!


Above: the mechanic's family who we stayed with - great hospitality and a toasty warm home!



Above: the head of the family who we stayed with - a true gentleman

Above: gorgeous little girl who we read Dr Seuss to - pity we couldn't take her with us as a third driver but she couldn't see over the steering wheel...

Above: Sardi makes a friend!

We've made it to Mongolia!
And we've made it through all our border crossings without paying a single bribe! Our convoy's theme song "Highway through the danger zone" made it as far as the chorus when we entered Mongolia before Team Top Gun broke down. A challenging week now lies ahead as we head to the finish in Ulaan Baatar.

We are aiming to arrive at the finish by Tuesday, 26th August - depending on how Matilda goes!

Trouble finds our convoy

Last night we camped in a designated camping site in picturesque Altai mountains where we enjoyed the company of many other Russians also camping at the site. Unfortunately we awoke this morning to discover that 3 of our cars had been broken into and only Matilda had been spared. The list of items taken was extensive, including cameras, video cameras, phones, ipods, cds, watch and wallet - a pretty brave effort considering all our tents were 2 metres from the cars. The day has been spent filing police reports and reorganising ourselves. We are extremely thankful that our camping neighbours were quick to step in and translate to police. We are also relieved that no passports have been taken and this little set back won't compromise our convoy's ability to finish the rally in any way! Mongolia or bust baby! We cross into the final frontier on Tuesday!

The nation of Taxistan

Today we visited a country not previously on our planned route - the country of Taxistan. Karen had been phoned by a team who were stranded for 5 days in No Man's Land between the Russia and Kazakhstan borders due to Russian visa errors.

Our 4-car convoy loaded up with food and water supplies and exited Kazakhstan to enter Taxistan, a country with a population of two English lads, one shoddy table and a London black cab. We negotiated with both of the population to acknowledge our entry by writing an official statement in our passports. In return, we offered border bribes of water, iced vov biscuits from Sydney, Elvis playing cards and boomerang to annoy the guards with. The Russians were not amused by Taxistan's insistence of playing 'God Save the Queen' as each of the 4 cars crossed into Russia - cheers lads and bravo!