Peking to Paris Day 2 & 3.

Hi All, again.

Computer still working. time is 10.30pm on Tuesday 29th May.

Last night (monday 28th may) we slept in Yurts. round tents that were
about 10 feet round. had carpet, dercoarted wooden poles at the
centre. canvas sheeting.
I was nice and warm in our down sleeping bags, silk lininers and
thermo rests. It was a fasinating experence. Pamela didnt enjoy so
much, but doesnt do camping and wantwed a shower. I meet a lady who
was cold during the night because they felt to dirty to get into their
sleeping bags !!! just wash it whebn you get home.

Today we are at a hotel in Erenot.
Tomorrow we go over the chinese border to mongola. Camp in our own tents.
next 2 night after that we are in Ulan Baartor for 2 nights in hotel.
then camp for 5 nights.

Car is still well , although I'm not so, but ok. local food does not agree.

We have our 1st time test tomorrow.

I'm having the time of my life.

Love to you all.

Love Nic xxx

peking to paris

Hi again

Day 2 was an interesting day with lots of detours.
1st was when police sent us right at fork instead of left. we did
this. yes road was lovely new tarmac until big ramp drop. Pamela saw
it, then inched over it in 1st gear. Lots didnt and some went air born
at 50 mph.

We had then noroute notes so had to navigate by the gps to waypoint
P19 which was eventunally on the road we were on.
We vowed not to follow police intruction again. Until we came to the
next Passage control. They said the other road was a lot worse and we
were right to follow police advice.

Day 3.
has been a fairly boring day.
Lots of moterway.
I limited Pamela to 70mph. Only thrash the car when you need too. We
dont plan to trash the sunbeam as we want to get to Paris.

We have been lucky so far with our car.
Lots of people have had probs with fuel and fuel filters.

People really nice, lots of poeple chatting to me.

Route has been lined with locals waving us by and fastinated by us.
especailly 2 ladies. the police women really wave wehen they see us.

Love Nic xxx

perking to paris upto day 3.

Hi all.

Computers ahahhahahahha.

We are good.
Sunbeam is well. Daily checks good. toped up with oil (2mm on
dipstick, today tuesday 29th may, first time)

Day1 start was amazing at the Badeling Gate in the Great wall of China.
Lots of entertainment by the locals young and old.
1st car an Italia 1907. left with lots of drumming and clapping and
photos being taken.
I felt very emotoinal watchin it all.

Pamela drove most of the day untill the Hanging monastry (liturally
does hang off the mountain).
Then I drove the last 1hour 21mins to the hotel in Datong.
My first time driving in a Rally. I'm not so good at driving fast down
mountains that twist lots. We missed our clock time by 2 mins.
Pamela reassures me that my skills in classic car trails will come
into action when we drive throught Mongola and I shouldn't be so
dishearten.

I cant beleve Iam actually here. Some of you had more faith that I would be.
Pamela introduces me as the mechanic, which I'm supposed to be, but
most think its my day job. I correct them when they start saying your
the one to come and find.

I'll send this before the power goes again.

Love to you all
Nicola xxx

Times

I've finally found the correct time setting...
Well I've set the blog time to British summer time, anyway.
In Beijing, China we are 7 hours ahead.
Moscow, Russia is 3 hours ahead.
Berlin, Germany is 1 hour ahead.

Nic

10 days until we fly to Beijing. 17 days until Peking to Paris rally starts

Hi All

Its now only 10 days until we fly to Beijing and 17 days until the Rally starts.
Have we remembered everything...?
No... I remembered that I still need some properly fitting leather gloves... I sent the last pair back as my fingers didnt reach the ends.

We recieved a Final tips newsletter, yesterday, from the Rally Office, which was interesting reading. Especailly the comments on accommodation at the pass between Tibet & Nepal on the 1997 Peking to Paris rally. The low concrete building had no doors, windows and one unusable outside toilet... 200 drivers & passengers had to stay the night. Most camped in their tents.

A very apt line in the newsletter says "S**t happens...so, expect things to go wrong, regularly, take it on the chin and you will come out of this smiling."
I am smiling already, I'm going half way around the world in a 1960 Sunbeam Rapier. Wow how excited am I.

Other tips:
This is not a fashion Parade. leave jewelery at home
Pack light. Feddie & Janet, the winners of the 80 days around the world Rally had just four pairs pants/knickers each.
Do you need a suitcase. The 2 blue offical Peking-Paris travel bags are so big... (er no I think small)
T-shirts are good - No, we don't dress for dinner!!
Grub up. Food will be dreadful sometimes, take sachets of tomato ketchup, mustard, salt, packet soup... etc
I am the light... Torches, matches are useful... Mongolia ...No country we have ever tried to plan a rally route through has been so hard... Our route books are not the Gospel, we never said they were accurate.

And Finally...leave the official website with loved ones so they can follow your progress.

The offical website for the rally is www.pekingparis.com
Each day we have a sheet of paper in the route book to write what's happened to us, tear it out and give it to the organisers, so you may read about us, but bear in mind there are 134 cars competting.

Our Sponsors: Enersol Corporation's website is www.enersolcorp.com
Click on the Team Enersol Peking to Paris icon for updated information, that we hope will be updated each time we can send an email to Franky or Steve at Enersol.

I hope to give short tip bits of what's happened to us, when I can, on this blog. You know the type... really silly things that you just can't believed happened. Expect some rambles and definatly spelling mistakes anyway, satalite phones are expensive.

We're told that mobile phones will work just about every day, so you can always send me a text more personally, if you have my number ending in 501. I'll try and respond that day.

Pamela & I are having some last minute navigational training on the Halda, average speeds & tulips tonight with Neil, the guy who supplied our Halda trip meter.

I'm dual driving with my Dad in his Beach Buggy on a Production Car Trial in Stroud, this Sunday, did I think this through properly, maybe not, but I enjoy them.

See you all, some sooner than others.
Love
Nicola