A little fairy tale to brighten your day

At about nine fifteen on Monday night I'm walking in the door after a bad day at the office, groceries in hand, preparing for the joys of yet another Newbury evening in front of the tv, when Oliver calls. Reluctantly, I answer the phone with an indistinguishable mumble. Oli's excited, again. We've all been here before, the enthusiasm, the optimism, it doesn't mean a thing. But, for a change, it's sounding plausible. "Toyota Starlet, one owner, £195, nice sounding bloke, interested in the Rally, MOT until August..."

He's got me interested, but I'm still sceptical (this is Oli), so I call Dean who's selling the potential steed on behalf of his auntie. Dean's been on the website and loves the sound of the event (later I discover this is jealousy) to the point that he's turning away bidders in order to sell this little gem to a life of freedom on the Mongolian plains.

Next thing I know it's Tuesday night and I'm walking out of Taunton station to see this dream machine. And, what a dream she is! Radiant, despite the overcast sky, and eager. It was the eagerness that excited me, here was a girl that wanted to go to Mongolia, maybe even more, she wanted to see the world. It was a bit uncomfortable with Dean there, we wanted to spend time alone, get to know one another, but instead we had to make do with whispered compliments and secretive flirting. But, I knew she was the one.

Anyway, back in the real world, Dean and I drove, we ate fish and chips, we talked. Turns out he knows some useful contacts, t-shirts, mechanics, it's all just too good. An hour later I paid him the money (which felt slightly wrong, I don't normally pay money for girls, but you have to understand that it was the price of her freedom), and the fairytale was complete.


So, ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, Hyacinth!

Check out the eagerness...

...the power... ...and...

...what on earth was Dean thinking taking a photo of the keys in his hand?!

Dean will be taking his place in the Hall of Fame as a top rate hero, though he may choose to put photos of his girlfriend in his place, better looking!

Everyone has a view

When you tell people that you are planning to drive to Mongolia everyone has a view. For some this is a simple view that you are head-mental but it does seem to capture people's attention in a way other things don't. I had an e-mail from a friend of mine about her husband and a mutual friend of ours yesterday and apparently despite having not seen each other for about three years the Rally is their major topic of conversation. I like that.

Anyway, above and beyond the general chat and suggestions there has been some hard canvassing on behalf of certain cars. The Micra is widely seen as reliable with a good engine and has gained support from my Dad and girlfriend. The 2cv is an unconventional choice but Coops' Mum seems keen partly I'm sure as someone has offered her one free for our use. The Daihatsu Cuore has also been described to us by a car salesman (who didn't have one to sell at the time) as the most reliable sub one litre car out there - only three cylinders if you are interested. However the most intriguing lead has come when Coops and I have mentioned to people who have actually been to Central Asia (Coops has in fact been before not that you'd know from his insight, which amounts to it's nice and take photos to show people) who have both said without cars even being mentioned 'So you're going in a Toyota Starlet". At which point we explain our team name is 'Mongolia in a Micra' and they shake their heads ruefully. Anyway there might be some news on the car front in the next couple of days....

Feedback welcome

As you will see from some of the additions on the left, Oli thinks he's funny. Clearly I realise this isn't the case, but he will never listen to me. So, please add your comments to this or any other posts letting us know what's good, what's not. Whether it's inappropriate or just plain stupid your feedback could stop him before he gets too out of control.

Don't judge me here on a Saturday night, I'm trying to busy myself now the exam horrors of the most boring qualification known to man are over. But, since I am here, I might just follow up on a couple of Oli's updates:
Car - we saw a clapped out heap of **** today, decided not to bother. With cheap Micras hard to find we may change tack and get a Suziki. This has the added benefit of turning Oli's dull team name into something at least mildly funny.
Visas - all sent off, and now we just wait and hope, anyone with a god, please pray to him/her.
Fundraising - Oli blames me for being fancy with this blog, if I may turn this round, I think it's actually his stupidity.

We'll keep you updated.

Latest News

Well the planning for the rally rumbles on like a woefully underpowered super-mini across the Turkmen desert. So what news?

Car - We still don't have a micra, but we're getting closer I have actually rang a couple of people about them. Anyone who knows anyone disposing of a micra let us know.

Visas - Jesus Christ. I was up till 3 trying to sort this last night. Hopefully they won't come back to us with a hoast of corrections in red pen.

Logos - nearly there should be with us after corrections any day

Fundraiding - Hhhmmm. A wee bit slow we're hoping our incentive based approach will bear fruit however Coops did the fancy bits of the blog and I can't work out how to sort it.

Everything else - Well I nearly bought some jerry cans on ebay without luck.

Hopefully Coops passing his actuary exam tomorrow and the local elections being a resounding success in May will allow us more time to tackle little details like cars.