Top day

Examination of the route suggested a 2 hour drive only. Being international rallyists of some renown, we decided it would be embarrassing to spend only two hours driving on our journey to Singapore. We peered at the map a bit harder and wondered, if we took that detour, which looked fine, and which eencompassed several mountain passes and added many many hours to our day, we would have a fine rally day after all?

We slept on the plan and in the morning we discovered the hotel had filled with Kyrgy tourists in 4x4s, with guides. It took us no time to establish a connection with the chief guide, through an interpreter. He agreed it would be possible to run our proposed route but it would be very remote with no mobile signal and unmade roads. Perfect! We said. 

Within a few miles, it was apparent that this was going to be a good drive. For those of you who have heard us drone on about Mongolia: ‘the most amazing scenery imaginable’ and all that, I apologise, you are now going to hear endless wittering about Kyrgyzstan. Truly it was breathtaking. Desolate wilderness, empty but achingly beautiful vistas, snow capped mountains in the distance, middle ground folding hills, interlocking spurs, hanging valleys (Ahem, Ed). 

On the final run into town, we broke down! Determined that it would not ruin a top day, I immediately set about deploying my vast knowledge of car mechanics. I opened the bonnet and checked the distributor. Yes, it was still there. I gave it a shake, opened it and could see no gremlins hiding so I closed it quickly. Next I changed all the plugs. As I was doing this the cavalry arrived in the shape of David Ayre. “Have you checked the distributor?” he asked. “Of course, it’s still in the same place. It hasn’t moved”. 

Raised eyebrows indicated I should have concentrated a bit harder when being taught basic (yes, basic) car mechanics.  “Small Philipps screwdriver, feeler gauge, distributor cap” David barked like a surgeon in theatre: he was in charge. Points adjustment required. Durr. Sure enough, when he had finished and I was asked to start it, the car sounded better and we left in a cloud of dust. I explained carefully to Nellie that it was next on my list of items to check. “You need not fear”, I said,  “you are in safe hands” 🙄