20th July 2007

We are feeling quite refreshed today, despite having driven 7 hours through more of Siberia and are now in Ekaterinburg. Last night we were in Tjumenj and spent two nights there. When we are anywhere for more than an overnight stop, the organizers arrange for us to see the local sights and of course we can walk around the town and unpack. It is wonderful opportunity to be able to get the cars back into condition – you would not believe the intense activity with oil changes, tyres being wheeled backwards and forwards, drivers exchanging notes and parts. A few more cars are out of action, it will be interesting to see just how many cars drive into Paris on the 10th August.

We’re about to cross the border into what is officially termed Europe. I am not entirely sure how different it will be from the Siberian wilderness of the past few days, but it will be good to know that we are only three days from Moscow. As well as the treacherous roads we are on the look out for animals that wander onto the motorways, most commonly domestic/farming animals such as dogs, goats, cows, etc. but a wild bear was spotted this afternoon, so now we are all on full alert.

I speak to my garage, The Chelsea Workshop most days and they have been couriering parts to us. We badly need a new windscreen motor which I hope will be waiting for us in Moscow; in the meantime Kathrin has had to clean the windscreen manually – she has an ingenious method involving string, but it works!

Here is the list of parts that have been replaced on my TR4 since we left Beijing on the 10th June:

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