Sunday 14th July 2013
Near to Ulaan Shand Petrified Forest
Happy Bastille Day France
So, we are just shaking out the sand which has accumulated in our bedding, when a car drives along the road we are parked on. Glad we weren’t in a tent on the floor. Don’t know who was more surprised, the Mongolian driver or us. He skirts round us and stops, we wave, he blinks and drives on. Within a couple of seconds, his car has completely disappeared from view down the gully. Did he really have a gold plastic trident strapped to the back of his car?
We start morning chores, put the washing on rinse cycle and have breakfast. Suddenly, a motorcycle appears, two men get, off, walk across, stand and stare. We wave and greet them. They don’t move. Watch us for a while, then jump on their bike and head off the way they came. Neptune must be spreading the news.
For the first time this trip, we set up our little porch at the back of the Landy. Actually, we haven’t used it at all before, only tried it at home. If we ever travel on our own, we can use it as a shower tent, or kitchen if the weather is bad. We have a good wash, but when the solar shower is mended, it can hang from the ladders.
I also mend the arm on my reading glasses. Tried to find the little screw, but every grain of dust in the footwell looks like a screw. So I improvised. Good old White Stuff. They always have a little label attached to their clothes by a tiny pin. The Gardners bought me some undergarments for my birthday, especially for this trip. As I was packing, I remember thinking these pins maybe useful. What will the others be used for?
Atle reads information about getting a Chinese visa. It looks hopeful embassy open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. As we are temporary residents in Mongolia, we can apply in person at Ullaanbaatar on Friday 18th, no appointment necessary. We already have a letter of invitation, we can pay for express service, $20 extra, go away for a long weekend and collect them by the middle of next week. Afternoon sessions between 14.00 and 15.00. It is looking very promising. Atle sends a link to Tim, who they down loads some emails. Read one from Claire and Moira. Thank you guys. We may try to phone you later today, as we know you are all going to be at Waveney, under the walnut tree and sharing a picnic. Pick up.
We certainly have the sun today. Drive past what looks like a mining operation, still in use. Russian buildings, large generators, air shafts.
Chandmani. Man standing on roof of house, to get mobile reception. Heading out of the Gobi-Altay region, and into the Bayankhongor region. Flat, rutted surface for hours. The clouds over to our left seemed to be full of sand.
Tim and chat about what to do with the Landy when we get it back home. We couldn’t sell it. We have invested too much time and money into it. There are further changes. Maybe move the fridge to near the back door. Our p,an to be able to use it as we drive just hasn’t worked, and it is too difficult to use when parked up. Tim suggests moving the cooker and gas bottle. But, it may be handy to keep it near the fridge and still under the overhang from the tent. We will have it serviced, change the tyres and undersealed before the winter.
Would be exciting to plan another expedition for a few years time. Then we would have had the three doors replaced, with much better seals, and air con fitted. If it worked, we would get far less dust in the car, eyes and nose, clothes, bags, drawers……… If it was broken, then it was broken.
Bayantsagaan. They are just finishing their Nadaam, vehicles and animals heading home. We are aiming to head south to Shinejinst, then North see the Ulaan Shand – petrified forest. Our route is blocked by locals, so we skirt around, off route. Takes a while to find correct path. Man having a pee at the front of his vehicle.
Still stony ground, not full sand. Once again, a lake which appears on the map is dried up.
Getting so remote, no telegraph poles or pylons here. Try to identify little birds, bit like quails. Bird book got a bit damp in car wash. Another good reason for tightly sealed doors. Wonder if we will have to order a new windscreen to be sent out?
More ruts, slow down, straddle across, up the other side. Why don’t we do what they do in films? Drive at speed, take off, sail smoothly over, land safely and carry on. Because that would be the end of the trip, either the car or we would be broken.
Let a local pass. Soon able to follow his line over really rough terrain. He then races ahead over home turf. Wet weather coming in from right. Newly erected telegraph poles, awaiting their wires. Quite a task digging the holes to plant them in. Progress marches on. What will Mongolia be like in ten year’s time?
Tim hurt his finger this morning. Not a cut, but badly bruised. Will keep an eye on it. Some monstrous crack by side of road. How come, if you dip down just a little bit, whole mountain ranges on the horizon disappear? Deep ruts in road, full of water after downpour. Can’t find forest. Here will do.