“Too many words, Dad”

 There are amongst the readership some who prefer their morning digest to be more precise, tauter, even a little restricted. This lack of appreciation of the art of writing coincides with an imperative faced by your correspondent; there is so much to write about but there is little time. 

So, a synopsis now and normal service returns tomorrow, for it is a rest day tomorrow and time then will be aplenty. 

Yesterday: set off at 7am, after some last minute discussions whether the safe route wasn’t just adding miles and time to an already long day; safe route chosen; got lost on way to border which allowed observation of authentic Uzbekistan rural life, including villages, markets, animals etc; border not all bad (we think the ‘contacts’ had sent word ahead of our arrival); money changing scams; spectacular scenery; Google maps sending us off the main road onto dirt tracks which were sublime but slow; Nigel’s indefatigable spirit when faced with a no entry sign; more spectacular scenery; Rolls break-down (what?!); driving at night (surely not); arrival at hotel (guesthouse) interrupted by someone from the local administration who wanted to take us on a cultural tour and cafe dinner before we could settle: half the party objected and half complied; Balvenie bottle opened by rebels.  Nothing more needs to be said. 

Today: colder start, so an extra layer added to our clothing, it was not enough; within minutes the gloomy sky emitted its heavy burden on to our brave little open-topped cars with scantily clad humans inside; several times we stopped and added more and more layers but we were climbing into the mountains and it was every time too little too late; snowy capped peaks became snow on the road, never good in a vintage car; frozen stiff we ploughed on; the fog added an extra dimension; drivers and passengers could be seen standing up looking over their windscreens desperately navigating their poor cars who have suffered grievously from boiling hot to freezing cold without a murmur of discontent; coffee stop in the warm restored life probably; eventual arrival in Bishkek in terrible (really terrible) traffic. 

Conclusion: two epic driving days, certainly up there amongst the best.  

More tomorrow……..