Okay, one more night in Turkmenistan ... and then it's on to Iran ... and more timed stages. We all wish Clive and Ces well in the timed stages, but also in getting through Iran without incident. Quietly, we hope that they have no intentions of going hiking or back-packing in the next 3 days ... at least until they get into Turkey.
In the meantime, Clive's recent comment that it's "Boring and hot as well!" will probably continue to be the over-riding sentiment in Car 72.
For and on behalf of Clive and Ces
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Day 23 - Ever crossed a pontoon bridge?
Another medium-long dull day at about 370 km ... and reasonably uneventful. Well, uneventful compared with some previous days, but hardly a typical weekend jaunt in your old classic car.
First there was the 4:00am wakeup call ... but they're getting used to that. Then quickly fill up the 60 litre endurance tank with petrol and head off. They were a little concerned at the colour and state of the fuel ... which seemed to have some sand-like brown stuff in it.
Hmmm ... let's just blitz on and see what happens!
Some time later: They didn't have to wait long because Fugly just stopped on the highway. Immediate panic set in, because between the offending petrol station and the side of the highway, they had been calculating the "what ifs" relating to fuel. They were fairly sure that the small tank (the 40 litre one with good fuel) would not get them to tonight's hotel ... and there were no more service stations enroute!!
So it was bonnet up, laminated checklist out, as Clive and Ces both bend over and get to work. While Clive works on the inline filter behind, Ces works on the goldfish-bowl filter upfront. When the process has been completed, the checklist is ticked off and they're on their way again.
Next is the pontoon bridge where the fare is listed as TMM 20/USD 12. (The Manat is the unit of currency in Turkmenistan ... Peter)
Ehh, let's pay the 20 local widgets. Ces says.
He wants the 12 dollars. Clive responds
We haven't got 12 US dollars, he needs to take the local widgets. Ces responds rather firmly. Besides, why won't he take the 20 whatsits?
A few minutes later, Clive comes back and says He is taking the 20 whatsits but he needs the 12 dollars as well ... it's not 20 or 12, it's 20 PLUS 12 ... otherwise, he says he won't let us across!!.
Much to-ing and fro-ing followed, some strong language was used, separated by some periods of silence.
Eventually 12 dollars were found somewhere in the car (probably next to those keys in the safe place ... Peter) and they were on their way across the pontoon bridge. The episode was, according to Clive, quite an adventure and definitely eliminated any chance of them being bored on this particular day.
Now they're at their hotel, which is very basic but friendly. Mood of the evening is all's well that ends well.
For and on behalf of Clive and Ces.
PS: Photos will be received and loaded in due course (ie. within a week) but I know you readers need an image every now and again, so that you can sit back and let your imaginations take over, so here you are ...
First there was the 4:00am wakeup call ... but they're getting used to that. Then quickly fill up the 60 litre endurance tank with petrol and head off. They were a little concerned at the colour and state of the fuel ... which seemed to have some sand-like brown stuff in it.
Hmmm ... let's just blitz on and see what happens!
Some time later: They didn't have to wait long because Fugly just stopped on the highway. Immediate panic set in, because between the offending petrol station and the side of the highway, they had been calculating the "what ifs" relating to fuel. They were fairly sure that the small tank (the 40 litre one with good fuel) would not get them to tonight's hotel ... and there were no more service stations enroute!!
So it was bonnet up, laminated checklist out, as Clive and Ces both bend over and get to work. While Clive works on the inline filter behind, Ces works on the goldfish-bowl filter upfront. When the process has been completed, the checklist is ticked off and they're on their way again.
Next is the pontoon bridge where the fare is listed as TMM 20/USD 12. (The Manat is the unit of currency in Turkmenistan ... Peter)
Ehh, let's pay the 20 local widgets. Ces says.
He wants the 12 dollars. Clive responds
We haven't got 12 US dollars, he needs to take the local widgets. Ces responds rather firmly. Besides, why won't he take the 20 whatsits?
A few minutes later, Clive comes back and says He is taking the 20 whatsits but he needs the 12 dollars as well ... it's not 20 or 12, it's 20 PLUS 12 ... otherwise, he says he won't let us across!!.
Much to-ing and fro-ing followed, some strong language was used, separated by some periods of silence.
Eventually 12 dollars were found somewhere in the car (probably next to those keys in the safe place ... Peter) and they were on their way across the pontoon bridge. The episode was, according to Clive, quite an adventure and definitely eliminated any chance of them being bored on this particular day.
Now they're at their hotel, which is very basic but friendly. Mood of the evening is all's well that ends well.
For and on behalf of Clive and Ces.
PS: Photos will be received and loaded in due course (ie. within a week) but I know you readers need an image every now and again, so that you can sit back and let your imaginations take over, so here you are ...
 |
| This may very well be the same pontoon ... it's in Turkmenistan. |
Friday, 1 October 2010
Day 22 - lotsa zzzzzzzz's and late breakfast in Samarkand
Clive and Ces are relaxing in Uzbekistan ... but really impatient to get to the next timed stages ... scheduled for Iran. They are currently chilling out but bored in Samarkand. Apparently fuel has been a serious problem ... shortages across Uzbekistan and difficulties buying at just any old service station. When they have bought fuel, it's has had a very cloudy colour and has been fouling the spark plugs. Much of Day 21 was run on 5 (rather than 6) cylinders. But other than the missing cylinder, the car is running really well.
Tomorrow, Day 23, Clive believes that they will be crossing over the border into Turkmenistan. He's correct, and therefore he can expect much hanging-about sometime during the day. But then the distance is only just under 400 km so they can accommodate a delay. In addition, the hanging-about will be very pleasant in the 28C temperatures (rather than the -10C of Mongolia).
Less pleasant is the evolving stratification of the participants. As the days pass, a non-Darwinian unnatural selection is taking place. An aspect of this has already been alluded to on the official website, relating to the hiring of transport planes to leapfrog a couple of days' driving to Almaty. The upper end of the stratification would seem to be modelled on the officer class of the old British army (ie. class distinction).
Tomorrow, Day 23, Clive believes that they will be crossing over the border into Turkmenistan. He's correct, and therefore he can expect much hanging-about sometime during the day. But then the distance is only just under 400 km so they can accommodate a delay. In addition, the hanging-about will be very pleasant in the 28C temperatures (rather than the -10C of Mongolia).
Less pleasant is the evolving stratification of the participants. As the days pass, a non-Darwinian unnatural selection is taking place. An aspect of this has already been alluded to on the official website, relating to the hiring of transport planes to leapfrog a couple of days' driving to Almaty. The upper end of the stratification would seem to be modelled on the officer class of the old British army (ie. class distinction).
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Day 21 - to the beautiful Samarkand
One assumes that today is another uneventful day. I hope that Clive and Ces are not staying in an Intercontinental Hotel again tonight because, if they are, they'll be bored as usual. And that would mean bored all day tomorrow as well since it's another rest day. However, my guess is that they're in a very average hotel since we've heard nothing over the wires.
We might hear some news tomorrow if Clive can find an internet connection. How hard can that be? After all, Samarkand was where the very first paper mill (outside China) was built in the 8th century. So it's not exactly nowhere.
Clive has some work to do on the car to sort out the wobble. He had given his spare king-pins to another car who couldn't continue without them. That other car, in turn, had loaned his spare set to the race leader. Apparently the whole topic was getting a little sensitive and political until bad luck intervened in a good natured sort of way. The bad luck was that Clive's king-pins did not fit the other car, and the good natured outcome was that the king-pins were returned to Clive. Conveniently, for Clive, any sensitive politics would now only be between that other car and the race leader. Phew!!
Otherwise, a set would have had to be couriered to Iran.
We might hear some news tomorrow if Clive can find an internet connection. How hard can that be? After all, Samarkand was where the very first paper mill (outside China) was built in the 8th century. So it's not exactly nowhere.
 |
| Not a bad place for a RestDay ... I wonder if Clive and Ces will go out and explore. |
Clive has some work to do on the car to sort out the wobble. He had given his spare king-pins to another car who couldn't continue without them. That other car, in turn, had loaned his spare set to the race leader. Apparently the whole topic was getting a little sensitive and political until bad luck intervened in a good natured sort of way. The bad luck was that Clive's king-pins did not fit the other car, and the good natured outcome was that the king-pins were returned to Clive. Conveniently, for Clive, any sensitive politics would now only be between that other car and the race leader. Phew!!
Otherwise, a set would have had to be couriered to Iran.
And we thought that this was just a whole group of pals having a jolly good romp across Asia.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Day 20 - It's ok, I've left the keys in a safe place!
As Peter has already mentioned, we had another huge transit yesterday (Tuesday). About 750 kms which was fairly uneventuful, apart from the 5am start. Uneventful is definitely a blessing during these long transit days.
The car developed a very scary wheel wobble at around 50kph which was easily fixed by travelling at 100+ although this was an issue in the towns! We thought it was the king-pins playing up, so last night upon arrival at the hotel, we tightened them and went to bed with fingers crossed.
However before going to bed, there was the matter of dinner. That was a complicated affair with a choice between chicken with potatoes or nothing with nothing. The chicken was lovely ... well, it did kinda look like chicken! It reminded me of a Frankie Boyle joke where the diner asked:
"Is there a vegetarian option?"
to which the answer was:
"Yes, f*uck off!"
Another early start this morning but a short day to the Uzbekistan border. All started well but the wheel-wobble was back with a vengance so I am no longer sure about the king-pins. I've tightened all the steering system, so we'll see tomorrow. For now we're in another Intercontinetal Hotel so all is very nice.
Getting here was an adventure, especially at the border when Ces asked
"Clive, where are the car keys?",
"It's ok Ces, I've left them in a safe place!" I replied sheepishly.
I'd actually locked them inside the car! One broken rear quarter light later and we were away .... luckily it's a nice temperature here (about 25 degrees) and the broken window is on Ces' side!
 |
| Exhibit A and Exhibit B - door handle that fell off in Mongolia ... and keys that Clive put in a safe place!! |
We're a little bored (Clive, that's twice that you've been bored in an Intercontintal Hotel ... Peter) and waiting for the next time trials to start on Day 26 in Iran ... then we hope to start moving up the leaderboard. Each day, cars break and some have even caught fire (Car 22 was burnt out) ... while this gets a notice on the board, it's not the way I want to get to the top of the board!
That's it for now, I am off for a beer with the huge wad of money I've been given. It makes me feel like a millionaire, but is worth only £30!
 |
| This is only enough UZS to buy a round of drinks! (UZS is symbol for Uzbekistan Sum, the local currency) |
CD & Ces
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Day 19 - another long day ... 734 kms to Shymkent
It's past midnight in KZ without any word from Car 72. However, I notice from the official classifications that Clive and Ces have registered at the finish control, so clearly all is as well as can be expected.
I do not hold out much hope of frequent updates, except tomorrow when they have only 200 kms to cover. And since they will be sitting at the Kazakhstan-Uzbekhistan border for hours and hours, Clive will have plenty time to craft a creative SMS update.
And then they have a night each in Tashkent and in Samarkand ... such legendary places are definitely worthy of a photograph and a despatch ... unless of course, 100% of the energy in Car 72 is required to ensure that the 1938 Chevy gets through to Paris.
Finally, I leave you with an image of the countries through which the P2P will be passing in coming days. It's challenging enough to be doing Kazakhstan - Uzbekhistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Turkey. But if they stray a little, especially to the south, they would have Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria to add to those other well known tourist destinations.
I do not hold out much hope of frequent updates, except tomorrow when they have only 200 kms to cover. And since they will be sitting at the Kazakhstan-Uzbekhistan border for hours and hours, Clive will have plenty time to craft a creative SMS update.
And then they have a night each in Tashkent and in Samarkand ... such legendary places are definitely worthy of a photograph and a despatch ... unless of course, 100% of the energy in Car 72 is required to ensure that the 1938 Chevy gets through to Paris.
Finally, I leave you with an image of the countries through which the P2P will be passing in coming days. It's challenging enough to be doing Kazakhstan - Uzbekhistan - Turkmenistan - Iran - Turkey. But if they stray a little, especially to the south, they would have Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria to add to those other well known tourist destinations.
 |
| The path of the P2P over coming days ... not a relaxing part of the world, is it? |
Monday, 27 September 2010
Day 18 - I'm bored!
Clive sent a brief message today saying that there would be no update, because nothing happened, because the day was really boring, and because he spent it filling in time. So much for the anticipated excitement of spending the day lying by the pool with a beer in his hand!
I assume that the boredom is a consequene of having 2 rest-days back-to-back. Once all of the repair work has been completed, there is nothing to do ... clearly culture and sight-seeing are not on Ces' laminated check-list.
By the time he sent the SMS (5:30pm KZ time), Clive was having a medicinal gin and tonic, which was to be followed by an early night, in turn followed by a 5:00am wake-up ... and finally a return to the adrenalin of survival and competition.
Tomorrow night, they will still be in Kazakhstan, but then they have a couple of nights each in Uzbekhistan and Turkmenistan, followed by 3 nights each in Iran and Turkey. It will be interesting to hear about their interactions with the locals in those countries, and whether or not they're as amicable as they were in Mongolia.
Apparently the hotels for the next umpteen nights are also really grim ... they've been advised to use their own sleeping bags. Hmmm, Clive didn't explain whether those sleeping bags were to be put atop the beds, on the floor of the bedroom, or down in the garage next to their car. I guess they'll make that decision when they get a first sighting (or whiff) of the hotel each evening.
One thing is sure; he won't have to fill in time again for a few weeks.
For and on behalf of Clive and Ces.
I assume that the boredom is a consequene of having 2 rest-days back-to-back. Once all of the repair work has been completed, there is nothing to do ... clearly culture and sight-seeing are not on Ces' laminated check-list.
By the time he sent the SMS (5:30pm KZ time), Clive was having a medicinal gin and tonic, which was to be followed by an early night, in turn followed by a 5:00am wake-up ... and finally a return to the adrenalin of survival and competition.
Tomorrow night, they will still be in Kazakhstan, but then they have a couple of nights each in Uzbekhistan and Turkmenistan, followed by 3 nights each in Iran and Turkey. It will be interesting to hear about their interactions with the locals in those countries, and whether or not they're as amicable as they were in Mongolia.
Apparently the hotels for the next umpteen nights are also really grim ... they've been advised to use their own sleeping bags. Hmmm, Clive didn't explain whether those sleeping bags were to be put atop the beds, on the floor of the bedroom, or down in the garage next to their car. I guess they'll make that decision when they get a first sighting (or whiff) of the hotel each evening.
One thing is sure; he won't have to fill in time again for a few weeks.
For and on behalf of Clive and Ces.
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