Not the best of beginnings to the day, as the guys out in the van were waiting for us. It distressed me, because I hate keeping people waiting. But we’d both had it pretty firmly in our heads that they’d be late, that we weren’t as punctilious as usual about making sure we were out there ready + waiting. It was also bloody cold – another disincentive to getting up + going. C + A didn’t mind at all, however, they seem to be really nice blokes. Walter was wrapped up snug in the back, Pink Floyd were blasting out on the stereo, + it was a real pleasure to climb in.
I didn’t take long for something to go wrong – we stopped after a couple of hours for C + A to replace one of the shock absorbers – but they were pleasant about it (such a contrast to the grumbling of a Dave or a Doug) + with the opportunity it provided to boil up some water for a cup of tea. They really are likeable + cheerful blokes, it’s a pleasure to travel with them, + I do hope so much that nothing happens to sour the relationship.
For lunch we pulled up next to the sand dunes. For long parts of this part of the journey, it is best to leave the bumpy, pot-hole ridden sealed road, + take to the smooth surface of the desert itself, where the only things to be wary of are occasional rocks +a drift of soft sand. We got stuck in one of these only once, but with 4 of us pushing + Colin driving, we were free in no time. There were a couple of pit-stops during the day, again to replace, + eventually to remove, when it was decided they were doing no good, the shocks. But then the ride was too bouncy, + as the day wore on the road became worse, so they had a couple modified at a welding shop in a small village we passed thro’. And when we finally pulled in for the night, at a special tourist lodge, C + A got on with fitting them while the rest of us got busy with dinner – omelette + chips. And very tasty it turned out to be too.
All had begun well today – good food, good music, good company. And the objective for the day, in miles under the belt, had been achieved. Walter paid for a bed in the dorm for himself, Alan took a free bed there when he saw the place was unattended, + Colin, Val, + I slept in the van. Nice + warm, especially since we have now moved down to the plains, + enough room. I don’t know what it’s going to be like thro’ Iran tho’. With 5 of us. Plus, possibly, a guide.
And on our way again! With companionable company. Competent, too, not letting little things like dodgy shock absorbers delay us very much. We feel we are in good hands, and with luck, all the way to Istanbul!
