DSCN0069 Leaving home: Friday 21st July 2006. From left to right: Jim, Edith, Dave. Date: 14/09/06 Leaving home: Friday 21st July 2006. From left to right: Jim, Edith, Dave.
DSCN0078 First new country! Date: 14/09/06 First new country!
DSCN0091 Applying official rally stickers at the launch: Hyde Park, Saturday 22nd July. Date: 14/09/06 Applying official rally stickers at the launch: Hyde Park, Saturday 22nd July.
DSCN0093 Fellow rally cars on the start line. Date: 14/09/06 Fellow rally cars on the start line.
DSCN0094 Start line. Date: 14/09/06 Start line.
DSCN0095 Start line. Date: 14/09/06 Start line.
DSCN0100 Some fellow nutters: Yes, someone rode this - and made it to the finish! Date: 14/09/06 Some fellow nutters: Yes, someone rode this - and made it to the finish!
DSCN0101 The "Panda and a half" - they had to ditch the trailer en-route but ten out of ten for effort. Date: 14/09/06 The "Panda and a half" - they had to ditch the trailer en-route but ten out of ten for effort.
DSCN0103 Plenty of boot space... Date: 14/09/06 Plenty of boot space...
DSCN0105 Start line. Date: 14/09/06 Start line.
DSCN0109 The Lancia ready for the off. Date: 14/09/06 The Lancia ready for the off.
DSCN0113 Sorry to say they didn't get very far. Date: 14/09/06 Sorry to say they didn't get very far.
DSCN0114 Fair play... Date: 14/09/06 Fair play...
DSCN0115 ...and again. Date: 14/09/06 ...and again.
DSCN0117 I don't think these guys made it out of London. Date: 14/09/06 I don't think these guys made it out of London.
DSCN0119 Leaving Hyde Park - straight into a giant traffic jam. Date: 14/09/06 Leaving Hyde Park - straight into a giant traffic jam.
DSCN0127 "Single to Mongolia please..." Date: 14/09/06 "Single to Mongolia please..."
DSCN0142 Made it to Dover *just* in time for the ferry, thanks to the London traffic. Date: 14/09/06 Made it to Dover *just* in time for the ferry, thanks to the London traffic.
DSCN0145 Glad we brought a roll of insulation tape already. Date: 14/09/06 Glad we brought a roll of insulation tape already.
DSCN0147 Fellow ralliers in France. Date: 14/09/06 Fellow ralliers in France.
DSCN0150 First petrol stop: Belgium. Date: 14/09/06 First petrol stop: Belgium.
DSCN0160 A German autobahn. No speed limit my arse! It took us around three hours to get through this enormous tailback. Date: 14/09/06 A German autobahn. No speed limit my arse! It took us around three hours to get through this enormous tailback.
DSCN0163 The Czech border. Date: 14/09/06 The Czech border.
DSCN0173 Meeting up with other ralliers for the party in Prague. Date: 14/09/06 Meeting up with other ralliers for the party in Prague.
DSCN0174 More weird and wonderful rally traffic. As if you didn't know, this is a Syrena Bosto (and I'm sorry to say it broke down in Prague). Date: 14/09/06 More weird and wonderful rally traffic. As if you didn't know, this is a Syrena Bosto (and I'm sorry to say it broke down in Prague).
DSCN0180 This Czech girl and her friend very kindly washed our windscreen and headlights. Date: 14/09/06 This Czech girl and her friend very kindly washed our windscreen and headlights.
DSCN0190 Hungarian border. Date: 14/09/06 Hungarian border.
DSCN0192 Max and Paddy... Date: 14/09/06 Max and Paddy...
DSCN0199 This OUP shop in Budapest sold us a Russian dictionary with 30 pages missing! Date: 14/09/06 This OUP shop in Budapest sold us a Russian dictionary with 30 pages missing!
DSCN0207 Meeting fellow ralliers in Hungary, east of Budapest. Date: 14/09/06 Meeting fellow ralliers in Hungary, east of Budapest.
DSCN0208 Temperature rising inside the car. Date: 14/09/06 Temperature rising inside the car.
DSCN0212 Romanian border: leaving the EU! Date: 14/09/06 Romanian border: leaving the EU!
DSCN0224 Romanian roads: brilliant fun! Date: 14/09/06 Romanian roads: brilliant fun!
DSCN0226 They had these funny haystacks all over the place, like giant molehills... Date: 14/09/06 They had these funny haystacks all over the place, like giant molehills...
DSCN0235 Sunset over Trannsylvania Date: 14/09/06 Sunset over Trannsylvania
DSCN0252 Morning rush hour. Date: 14/09/06 Morning rush hour.
DSCN0254 There were hundreds of them! Date: 14/09/06 There were hundreds of them!
DSCN0259 The Moldovan border. Date: 14/09/06 The Moldovan border.
DSCN0264 Through the border and back in the USSR! Date: 14/09/06 Through the border and back in the USSR!
DSCN0268 A Moldovan Y10 much the same as ours. The whole family came out to see what we were up to after this pic. They were confused, but friendly enough... Date: 14/09/06 A Moldovan Y10 much the same as ours. The whole family came out to see what we were up to after this pic. They were confused, but friendly enough...
DSCN0270 A Moldovan woman drawing water from a well. Date: 14/09/06 A Moldovan woman drawing water from a well.
DSCN0283 The stadium of the mighty Sheriff Tiraspol in the unrecognized state of Transdniester. They played Spartak Moscow in the Champions League Qualifiers that night. Date: 27/10/06 The stadium of the mighty Sheriff Tiraspol in the unrecognized state of Transdniester. They played Spartak Moscow in the Champions League Qualifiers that night.
DSCN0292 The Ukrainian border. Date: 14/09/06 The Ukrainian border.
DSCN0296 Following a signpost that's not in Cyrillic brings you to... McDonald's! Date: 14/09/06 Following a signpost that's not in Cyrillic brings you to... McDonald's!
DSCN0302 Time for a beer after a hardcore day of driving including three border crossings. Date: 15/09/06 Time for a beer after a hardcore day of driving including three border crossings.
DSCN0313 Back on the road in Ukraine: time for lunch by the Black Sea... Date: 15/09/06 Back on the road in Ukraine: time for lunch by the Black Sea...
DSCN0315 ...and a paddle! Date: 15/09/06 ...and a paddle!
DSCN0333 Tensions rise as we realise someone forgot to pack the tin opener. Date: 15/09/06 Tensions rise as we realise someone forgot to pack the tin opener.
DSCN0362 We had a few hours to kill before our Russian visas started, so went to the beach in Mariupol. Date: 15/09/06 We had a few hours to kill before our Russian visas started, so went to the beach in Mariupol.
DSCN0365 It's like Barry Island... Date: 15/09/06 It's like Barry Island...
DSCN0374 Dinner on the Russian border. Date: 15/09/06 Dinner on the Russian border.
DSCN0380 ...And we're in! Crossing the border took five hours. Date: 15/09/06 ...And we're in! Crossing the border took five hours.
DSCN0384 The "campsite" we stayed at. Arriving at 4am after a gruelling border crossing, these Soviet-looking huts were a welcome sight. Date: 15/09/06 The "campsite" we stayed at. Arriving at 4am after a gruelling border crossing, these Soviet-looking huts were a welcome sight.
DSCN0390 This guy chased us through the Rostov traffic - turned out he spoke broken English and just wanted a chat. Date: 15/09/06 This guy chased us through the Rostov traffic - turned out he spoke broken English and just wanted a chat.
DSCN0398 Russia's answer to speed cameras. Date: 15/09/06 Russia's answer to speed cameras.
DSCN0409 Meeting fellow ralliers Tom and Olly. We became good friends and drove in convoy for the rest of the trip. Date: 15/09/06 Meeting fellow ralliers Tom and Olly. We became good friends and drove in convoy for the rest of the trip.
DSCN0415 Camping on the roadside. Date: 15/09/06 Camping on the roadside.
DSCN0420 We found a lot of these ramps at the side of the road - good for doing oil changes on your Lada. Date: 15/09/06 We found a lot of these ramps at the side of the road - good for doing oil changes on your Lada.
DSCN0440 In no-man's land catching the the ferry to Kazakhstan. Date: 15/09/06 In no-man's land catching the the ferry to Kazakhstan.
DSCN0442 Watermelon from a friendly Kazakh van driver. Left to right: Dave, Olly, Tom. Date: 15/09/06 Watermelon from a friendly Kazakh van driver. Left to right: Dave, Olly, Tom.
DSCN0456 Camels in Kazakhstan. Date: 15/09/06 Camels in Kazakhstan.
DSCN0464 The roads start getting bad. Date: 15/09/06 The roads start getting bad.
DSCN0473 After dinner entertainment in Atyrau. Date: 15/09/06 After dinner entertainment in Atyrau.
DSCN0477 Enjoying the show! Date: 15/09/06 Enjoying the show!
DSCN0483 The mansion we were put up in in Atyrau. The sauna is on the left. Date: 15/09/06 The mansion we were put up in in Atyrau. The sauna is on the left.
DSCN0485 Games room. Date: 15/09/06 Games room.
DSCN0493 The Mongol Rally causing havoc in central Atyrau. Date: 15/09/06 The Mongol Rally causing havoc in central Atyrau.
DSCN0500 Stocking up on supplies for the desert. Date: 15/09/06 Stocking up on supplies for the desert.
DSCN0504 I'd like to see a speed camera make sense of that! Date: 15/09/06 I'd like to see a speed camera make sense of that!
DSCN0514 Kazakh sunset. Date: 15/09/06 Kazakh sunset.
DSCN0517 A dried up salt lake. Date: 15/09/06 A dried up salt lake.
DSCN0528 Morning at the campsite. Date: 15/09/06 Morning at the campsite.
DSCN0529 ...A lovely spot. Date: 15/09/06 ...A lovely spot.
DSCN0530 The scariest thing we found in Kazakhstan. Date: 15/09/06 The scariest thing we found in Kazakhstan.
DSCN0548 The tarmac ends. Date: 15/09/06 The tarmac ends.
DSCN0554 Asking directions. Date: 15/09/06 Asking directions.
DSCN0561 Proper Mongol Rally publicity shot. Date: 15/09/06 Proper Mongol Rally publicity shot.
DSCN0565 Using a sand track because the road is so badly deteriorated Date: 15/09/06 Using a sand track because the road is so badly deteriorated
DSCN0571 Riding on the window frame - so much fun! Date: 15/09/06 Riding on the window frame - so much fun!
DSCN0578 Running repairs to the Uno: They had beached themselves and ripped some guarding off the exhaust. Date: 15/09/06 Running repairs to the Uno: They had beached themselves and ripped some guarding off the exhaust.
DSCN0593 Moooooove out of the way! (hahahahahahahaha) Date: 15/09/06 Moooooove out of the way! (hahahahahahahaha)
DSCN0597 Our air filter assembly makes a bid for freedom, so we get the cable ties out. Date: 15/09/06 Our air filter assembly makes a bid for freedom, so we get the cable ties out.
DSCN0610 A nice, quiet camping spot. Date: 15/09/06 A nice, quiet camping spot.
DSCN0612 Meeting "the Sheriff": an off-duty policeman who pulled us over to give us watermelon. Date: 15/09/06 Meeting "the Sheriff": an off-duty policeman who pulled us over to give us watermelon.
DSCN0618 Civilisation at last! The market in Actobe. Date: 15/09/06 Civilisation at last! The market in Actobe.
DSCN0626 That's the last time I buy cheap cable ties: time for some gaffer tape. Date: 15/09/06 That's the last time I buy cheap cable ties: time for some gaffer tape.
DSCN0629 Meeting ralliers who had car problems from the rough roads. Date: 15/09/06 Meeting ralliers who had car problems from the rough roads.
DSCN0630 Camping. Date: 15/09/06 Camping.
DSCN0636 1126km to Shymkent. Great. Date: 15/09/06 1126km to Shymkent. Great.
DSCN0637 Bridge over a dried up river. Date: 15/09/06 Bridge over a dried up river.
DSCN0639 The car feels the heat on the road of death. Date: 15/09/06 The car feels the heat on the road of death.
DSCN0648 This is marked as a motorway on our map! Date: 15/09/06 This is marked as a motorway on our map!
DSCN0651 100 miles from a town in either direction. Date: 15/09/06 100 miles from a town in either direction.
DSCN0658 Err... thanks. Date: 15/09/06 Err... thanks.
DSCN0664 Aral - a former port on the Aral Sea that has now retreated tens of kilometres. Date: 27/10/06 Aral - a former port on the Aral Sea that has now retreated tens of kilometres.
DSCN0668 Dinner in the hotel - fried eggs. Date: 15/09/06 Dinner in the hotel - fried eggs.
DSCN0675 Time to celebrate after crossing the road of death. Date: 15/09/06 Time to celebrate after crossing the road of death.
DSCN0679 Getting our tracking sorted in Aral... Date: 15/09/06 Getting our tracking sorted in Aral...
DSCN0688 Then to Kwik Fit for some tyres. Date: 15/09/06 Then to Kwik Fit for some tyres.
DSCN0695 Mmm... rally tyres... Date: 15/09/06 Mmm... rally tyres...
DSCN0699 We think this is the cosmodrome at Baikonur, where the Soviet space programme was based. Date: 15/09/06 We think this is the cosmodrome at Baikonur, where the Soviet space programme was based.
DSCN0702 A rare chance to photograph a police checkpoint without getting the camera confiscated. Date: 15/09/06 A rare chance to photograph a police checkpoint without getting the camera confiscated.
DSCN0706 Dinner in Kyzlorda. Some of it may have been horse penis (no, really). Date: 15/09/06 Dinner in Kyzlorda. Some of it may have been horse penis (no, really).
DSCN0712 Our hosts in Kyzlorda. Date: 15/09/06 Our hosts in Kyzlorda.
DSCN0724 Riches in Uzbekistan: that lot's worth about a tenner. Date: 15/09/06 Riches in Uzbekistan: that lot's worth about a tenner.
DSCN0726 New friends in Tashkent. Date: 15/09/06 New friends in Tashkent.
DSCN0760 This may be the Welsh national anthem - but I can't remember to be honest... Date: 15/09/06 This may be the Welsh national anthem - but I can't remember to be honest...
DSCN0765 Jim's had 20 too many. Date: 15/09/06 Jim's had 20 too many.
DSCN0769 Sergey, who put us up at his house. Date: 15/09/06 Sergey, who put us up at his house.
DSCN0796 Intercontinental arm-wrestling championships. Date: 15/09/06 Intercontinental arm-wrestling championships.
DSCN0804 Still partying in Tashkent. Date: 15/09/06 Still partying in Tashkent.
DSCN0814 Back on the road...but stopping for some hangover treatment. Date: 15/09/06 Back on the road...but stopping for some hangover treatment.
DSCN0817 Ewan bloody McGregor? Say that again and I'll kick your ass.. Date: 15/09/06 Ewan bloody McGregor? Say that again and I'll kick your ass..
DSCN0841 Temporary solution after the stereo broke. Date: 15/09/06 Temporary solution after the stereo broke.
DSCN0847 A beautiful river in Kyrgyzstan. Date: 15/09/06 A beautiful river in Kyrgyzstan.
DSCN0852 Incredible scenery. Date: 27/10/06 Incredible scenery.
DSCN0864 Time for a swim. Date: 15/09/06 Time for a swim.
DSCN0877 Snow on the mountain tops. Date: 15/09/06 Snow on the mountain tops.
DSCN0880 Being taken in for the night once again... Date: 15/09/06 Being taken in for the night once again...
DSCN0883 ...staying in this hut. Date: 15/09/06 ...staying in this hut.
DSCN0894 An altogether different scene: Oil-rich Almaty, back in Kazakhstan. Date: 15/09/06 An altogether different scene: Oil-rich Almaty, back in Kazakhstan.
DSCN0899 These guys had had a run-in with a Lada - yet bravely continued to the finish. Date: 15/09/06 These guys had had a run-in with a Lada - yet bravely continued to the finish.
DSCN0908 Fellow ralliers in the Hard Rock Cafe, Almaty. Date: 15/09/06 Fellow ralliers in the Hard Rock Cafe, Almaty.
DSCN0915 It's just like Queen Street, really... Date: 15/09/06 It's just like Queen Street, really...
DSCN0932 We pulled off the road to camp in the wilderness... Date: 15/09/06 We pulled off the road to camp in the wilderness...
DSCN0937 ...and woke up to this stunning view! Date: 15/09/06 ...and woke up to this stunning view!
DSCN0947 This friendly Kazakh guy decided to pick me up and spin me round his head. Weird. Date: 15/09/06 This friendly Kazakh guy decided to pick me up and spin me round his head. Weird.
DSCN0956 This poor Scot had got to the Russian border to find his visa not valid. He was on his way back to Almaty to catch a plane. Date: 15/09/06 This poor Scot had got to the Russian border to find his visa not valid. He was on his way back to Almaty to catch a plane.
DSCN0968 Semey. Date: 15/09/06 Semey.
DSCN0975 Running repairs to the Uno. The shock absorber had failed on this side, so it was shaking itself apart. Date: 15/09/06 Running repairs to the Uno. The shock absorber had failed on this side, so it was shaking itself apart.
DSCN0981 Saturday night in Rubtsovsk, eating the now famous moo pie. Date: 15/09/06 Saturday night in Rubtsovsk, eating the now famous moo pie.
DSCN0984 Waking up in Siberia. Date: 15/09/06 Waking up in Siberia.
DSCN0991 Lunchtime: army rations. Date: 15/09/06 Lunchtime: army rations.
DSCN0995 Old school petrol pump. Date: 15/09/06 Old school petrol pump.
DSCN0999 Meeting more ralliers - last seen in Budapest. Date: 15/09/06 Meeting more ralliers - last seen in Budapest.
DSCN1003 This looked like a man at 3am - scared the crap out of us! Date: 15/09/06 This looked like a man at 3am - scared the crap out of us!
DSCN1006 The roads get bad again. Date: 15/09/06 The roads get bad again.
DSCN1025 Time to relax after 1200 miles driving in 2 days. Date: 15/09/06 Time to relax after 1200 miles driving in 2 days.
DSCN1028 Inadvertently waking up in another beauty spot. Date: 15/09/06 Inadvertently waking up in another beauty spot.
DSCN1035 An example of the talent in Irkutsk. Date: 15/09/06 An example of the talent in Irkutsk.
DSCN1038 Moving house? Date: 15/09/06 Moving house?
DSCN1043 Lake Baikal. Date: 15/09/06 Lake Baikal.
DSCN1046 Lake Baikal. Date: 15/09/06 Lake Baikal.
DSCN1061 Waking up in Siberia aiming to be in UB before the end of the day. Date: 15/09/06 Waking up in Siberia aiming to be in UB before the end of the day.
DSCN1073 The Mongolian border. Date: 15/09/06 The Mongolian border.
DSCN1077 Mongolia at last - smooth roads! Date: 15/09/06 Mongolia at last - smooth roads!
DSCN1091 A Mongolian town. Date: 15/09/06 A Mongolian town.
DSCN1103 Call that a rally car? Date: 15/09/06 Call that a rally car?
DSCN1109 The finish line! Dave's Place - a British bar serving full English breakfasts and tea. And beer :) Date: 15/09/06 The finish line! Dave's Place - a British bar serving full English breakfasts and tea. And beer :)
DSCN1113 These guys also made it... Date: 15/09/06 These guys also made it...
DSCN1115 The Lancia on Sukhbaatar Square, Central Ulaanbaatar. Date: 15/09/06 The Lancia on Sukhbaatar Square, Central Ulaanbaatar.
DSCN1119 One of the 2005 cars, bought and re-registered by Dave, the bar owner. Date: 15/09/06 One of the 2005 cars, bought and re-registered by Dave, the bar owner.
DSCN1127 Emptying the car of the last four weeks' worth of crap. Most of it was sold for charity at the bar. Date: 15/09/06 Emptying the car of the last four weeks' worth of crap. Most of it was sold for charity at the bar.
DSCN1130 This little kid, Batbold, was probably about 6 and was sleeping rough. He was full of life and quite a little character, and scavved lots of stuff off rally crews. Here he is reading the SAS Survival Guide in our car... He's since been rehomed by the Chri Date: 15/09/06 This little kid, Batbold, was probably about 6 and was sleeping rough. He was full of life and quite a little character, and scavved lots of stuff off rally crews. Here he is reading the SAS Survival Guide in our car... He's since been rehomed by the Christina Noble Children's Foundation.
DSCN1131 Yessssss! Date: 15/09/06 Yessssss!
DSCN1135 What became of the Uno: The front springs broke and were replaced by those off a Russian jeep. Date: 15/09/06 What became of the Uno: The front springs broke and were replaced by those off a Russian jeep.
DSCN1173 The Final Party at Strings nightclub in UB, featuring Mix Company - the best cover band in the world...ever! Date: 15/09/06 The Final Party at Strings nightclub in UB, featuring Mix Company - the best cover band in the world...ever!
DSCN1181 Time to celebrate. Date: 15/09/06 Time to celebrate.
DSCN1184 Take your pick! No credit cards... Date: 15/09/06 Take your pick! No credit cards...
DSCN1189 These guys tried last year, broke down, tried again, crashed and made the finish... in a 2CV! Respec'. Date: 15/09/06 These guys tried last year, broke down, tried again, crashed and made the finish... in a 2CV! Respec'.
DSCN1201 Tom, approximately five hours before his plane went. Date: 15/09/06 Tom, approximately five hours before his plane went.
DSCN1205 The band...having just as much fun as we were. Date: 15/09/06 The band...having just as much fun as we were.
DSCN1211 The lead singer had a Welsh dragon on his jeans! I mean, what's going on there... Date: 15/09/06 The lead singer had a Welsh dragon on his jeans! I mean, what's going on there...
DSCN1232 Bit of relaxation in the countryside. Date: 15/09/06 Bit of relaxation in the countryside.
DSCN1235 New friends, including Will (white shirt, right) who did the rally in 2005 and was yet to go home. Date: 15/09/06 New friends, including Will (white shirt, right) who did the rally in 2005 and was yet to go home.
DSCN1238 Traditional Mongolian gers. Date: 15/09/06 Traditional Mongolian gers.
DSCN1252 At least the horses knew what they were doing. Date: 15/09/06 At least the horses knew what they were doing.
DSCN1278 This is the way to travel. Date: 15/09/06 This is the way to travel.
DSCN1303 Leaving the Lancia at the Nairamdaal Children's Centre to be auctioned off. Date: 15/09/06 Leaving the Lancia at the Nairamdaal Children's Centre to be auctioned off.
DSCN1304 A final message. Date: 15/09/06 A final message.
DSCN1317 First serious breakdown of the trip: the car taking us back to UB overheats! Date: 15/09/06 First serious breakdown of the trip: the car taking us back to UB overheats!
DSCN1322 A last night at Strings nightclub. Date: 15/09/06 A last night at Strings nightclub.
DSCN1332 New arrivals. Date: 15/09/06 New arrivals.
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