Almaty is a green city; wide avenues ,lined with tall trees abound. It is also all quite neat and tidy.  It is not an especially attractive place but there are still some examples of pre USSR architecture, and being the commercial capital, plenty of new post Soviet glitz.  The official capital is Astana.  It is one of the most expensive cities in Asia and our hotel, the Intercontinental, certainly knows how to charge.  Large beer?  $20.  two g & t's sir, that will be $80!  Our laundry bill will probably be high enough to justify throwing everything out and starting again.

Car 29 went off to the garage this morning to have the old gearbox taken apart ready for the new one to be fitted when it arrives with George at 1,30 am.  Adrian and I will meet him at the airport and go straight to the workshop where the chap's will be ready to install it and so, hopefully, we can leave with the rally in the morning.  G is also bring over some stuff for Simon and Rupert and so Rupert is all set to start work when we arrive at the hotel.  If it all works out the Model A companeros will set off together and be complete again.

What a stress it has been to George out here.  He needed a visa.  we broke down on a Tuesday when he was a t work in Oxford. and so was unable to get to the Embassy before it closed at noon.  It was closed on Wednesday and so, on Thursday, he presented himself first thing to try to get his passport back late on Friday.  No go.  He could collect it at 9.00am on Monday but not 5.00pm on Friday.  It has been very anxious making as the Embassy is opposite the V & A, his flight departed at 12.30pm.  Very tight.  The good news is that I have just had a text to say he is enjoying a g & t in the lounge ready to rock and roll.  Phew!


Comments

  1. Anonymous27 September 2010 at 09:02

    Hi Barbara, Adrian,

    So good to read about the two of you still pushing on. And thank you for the very kind words on our blog. We've had a really hard time getting the Lagonda out of Mongolia (as it happens, Maarten is still in UB sorting out the transport home). But we're confident we can get the Healey ready in time to take us to Istanbul and join everyone for the last European stretch.

    Good luck, keep going and see you soon,

    Jeroen (Jan) Bruintjes (car 28)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous29 September 2010 at 15:04

    Dear Barbara and Adrian,

    We are agog reading your blog.
    Kate and Lara came for tea today.
    We think you have done so well.
    Dear George, what a hero.
    We still have everything crossed for you,
    keep going,
    Love and Best Wishes Jacqueline,Marcus and Peter xxx

    ReplyDelete

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