This is not my photograph, but I wanted to update you on the progress of the Slippery Gypsies. Our boys' car is on the left of the image, and my son Alexander is behind the car in the maroon t-shirt.
It's almost 4 weeks since they left Aberdeen, and they've reached the border of Tajikistan, having recently crossed Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They're now preparing to affront the Pamir Highway from Tajikistan and Kyrgystan through to Kazakhstan and onwards to Russia. They were supposed to pass through Mongolia but the Mongolian Authorities are not letting the rally cars in without paying a $4000 dollar import fee for the car! So the Mongol ralliers, mostly, will not actually go to Mongolia. Strange but true. They will cross the border at Kazakstan and go through to Russia direct to the finish line, hopefully, in Ulan Ude. A lot of difficult terrain to negotiate between now and then though.
They have about 4 more weeks to do it. They've had the car in a garage in Uzbekistan getting it 'raised' so that they don't bottom out on the next stretch of road. The suspension will be very hard now, so it will be an uncomfortable ride from here on in!
They posted this image on Facebook of the moment they met up with another team ... somewhere in Iran!
I am still an extremely nervous and concerned mother. I will sleep better when the Pamir Highway is behind them.
Wow that is some drive. Would be a nervous wait for you. Safe travels to your son and all the teams. But they are going to have some great stories to tell.
