Suzyp2p

Friday 17th September What a day… We woke up so so cold. Our feet like ice blocks. The condensation in our tent and on our sleeping bags was frozen. Mongolia can be very bitter, but we were trying not to be! Then the car wouldn’t start! We missed our time as we were towed around the carpark trying to bump start and eventually got going half an hour late. We stopped to help Biddy and Bill Bolsover who had worn out a wheel bearing but ours didn’t fit. While we rummaged for that discovered oil all over Rachel’s foot and trousers…the oil pump cap was leaking oil in through the clutch pedal hole! Passing a stationary car, smiling and waving they shouted back, “Your bumper’s fallen off!” In disbelief we leapt out to see indeed it was hanging off and as we tied it it up Suzy said, “ hang on, the spare spring has disappeared!” oops. A little further along realised front wheel bearing a bit loose. That was easy to deal with and feeling pleased with ourselves rushed on to attempt to still make our final time control of the day. It was pushing it and had to average 30mph over really rocky, corrugated, potholed, dreadful roads when suddenly we heard a terrible sound from the rear wheel. The axle had slipped! Paddy Judge was our saviour and on his 2nd attempt at banging and strapping we limped into to town for fuel and were led to camp by Simon Ayeris arriving at 11pm, too late for a shower! Very tired and sad.