Spring time!

Well, the good news is that we've finally found the ultimate solution to our cars unreliability (although the engine's been going brilliantly) and how to avoid bouncing and rattling our way across the awful Russian roads - it's called flying, and it's fantastic! Much smoother, and a little faster and can't believe we didn't think of it before. Would have saved a lot of bother....

After approx 26 hours in a run down lorry repair garage in Perm Priscilla finally decided that enough was enough and a rest was needed. The spring was finally repaired by these wonderful mechanics working non-stop through the night (BMW in Hungerford have a lot to learn..), our charades has come on in leaps and bounds, but repairing the large cracks at either end of the axle was a step too far for them. We've now trucked the car straight to St Petersburg, missing out Moscow, and that should give us a couple of days to get someone to sort out the axle and we can then hopefully re-join the rally for what should be a great trip through the Baltic States. In a moment of inspiration we decided to fly. It's a shame to not be driving, but we just couldn't take the risk of the whole of the back of the car suddenly collapsing, and so have had little option. Our experience is still nothing compared to many others, so still counting our blessings.

To be honest it's been lovely stepping out of the travelling circus for a couple of days - one can over-load on war stories and tinkering talk after a while.....

Paris, one way or another, here we come!