Reunification

 During their day off, the dodgy paperwork crew caught up on admin, did a bit of washing, carried out some light fettling. Rested. Oh, and Ed went to Istanbul to meet his brother Nick and collect the ‘paperwork’. Thank you Gambier boys. Operation Document Rescue worked a treat. 

We left our surprisingly nice hotel early to attempt another border crossing. Different day, different process, different officials. Same result. Delay, delay, delay. Stunning and depressing. Blue Lagonda and Vauxhall were corralled once again in the same shed as before and we waited and waited. 

Nellie and Ed smuggled coffee to us and took part in some cultural affiliation activities. 

After a two hour wait we were released without explanation and this time, with the correct documents, we sailed through. 

So began the long catch up, a little later than we had hoped. It meant motorway driving, never the best form for old cars; we traversed much of Georgia without experiencing this beautiful country, well until we arrived in Tbilisi, late afternoon, and met the other half of the team for a long and thirst quenching dinner involving organic wine, which your reporter confidently predicted causes no hangover. We’ll see. 

We are all staying in a luxurious hotel (no slumming here) which seems to be the epicentre of the young and chic citizens of Tbilisi. It is in other words a target rich environment for our youngest team member but what goes on tour stays on tour and no more shall be written on the subject. 

Happy birthdays to two of our readers: Chris’s parents both celebrate yesterday and today.