Border complications

Corralled

There was a small intake of breath when the booker of the hotel for last night discovered it was not actually in Turkey, but a hop skip and a jump in Georgia! Oh well, we’ll enter Georgia two days early and enjoy the country a bit more. It would entail a long drive, so another early breakfast was ordered. 

We became separated almost immediately due to navigational difficulties and drove most of the morning in two pairs: Vauxhall and blue Lagonda leading the way with Rolls and other Lagonda following shortly behind. We met up for coffee and as the road was a bit like The Boulevard Périphérique with no chance of keeping four cars in tow, we continued as two pairs. 

Arriving at the border in a rain storm (and being required to split up between drivers and passengers) we started the slow, confusing, chaotic, randomness of multiple agencies (customs, police, security police, border control, passport control) not having the first idea what to do with four vintage cars. We were marshalled into a holding area, agonisingly close to our objective. Photos were taken of all the documents which had been checked already. It was clear that no one was senior enough to make a decision. We sent the co-drivers, who were waiting the other side, on to the accommodation by taxi, whilst the drivers waited. Three hours later we were released from the holding area, without explanation. Only one more hurdle and we could resume our journey, meet up with co-drivers and settle in for a cool beer and some grub. 

The last checkpoint required: passport, original V5, and UK driving license. Normal stuff. Chris and Ham were the first through. Next, in adjoining queues were Nigel and Charlie. Both internationally experienced rallyists had what can only be described as a development not necessarily to their advantage. Nigel had only a photocopy of his V5 and Charlie (whilst convinced he had the originals somewhere in the car) could only produce a photocopy. The International Driving Permit he presented proved useless. Both of us were kicked out of the few yards of Georgia we had gained and sent back to Turkey, who added insult by giving us both the full customs inspection of bags, tool kits etc. We met up with Ed and Nellie and found a hotel in the border town. 

Operation document rescue was initiated. Nick Gambier has in his hands both original documents and will shortly fly to Istanbul to be met by his brother, Ed, who is flying from the border town to meet him, exchange and return to their normal activities for a Thursday. 

Fingers crossed.