LOGNOM

Another grim breakfast sidelined at our hotel and it was time for some housekeeping.

Alex and I went separate ways to look at the delights of Ulan Ude - probably the shortest book in the world if it were ever written. I checked updates from the rally - bad news, still no cars allowed in at the Altan Bulag border. We waited until 2pm when the office in Mongolia opened and I called Tom. No change, we would have to leave the car at the border and get a taxi the last 350km.

I got into the car and told Alex....

He responded:

'Listen, I'm being serious here, lets just drive it back'

'Errrrrr.........'

'Nick, we could be in Moscow by Thursday, you could fly back from anywhere before then.'

'Alex, I came here to get to Mongolia.'

'Do you mind if I take the car? Oh, and you'll have to lend me $500.'

'No problem, I think you're mad, but I love the idea'

And so it was decided, Alex would embark on the Lognom rally (Work it out yourselves).

We agreed to drive to the border and left immediately. I was chuckling the whole way. We had agreed that I should drive the last 220km to the Mongol border.

We arrived at 6.20pm. Horror, it was closed until 9am.

So we went to the restaurant next to the border and started to drink beer with 'Baikal' Vodka chasers. By 12am, we were dancing and careening around the car having a last listen to Pink Floyd - the locals were amused.

We spread a tarpaulin out next to the car and put sleeping bags out.

I was 'merry'.