100 day ceremony

Today was billed as a transit/rest day as we had a mere 260kms to get to Istanbul and onwards to Silviri on the sea of Marmara our home for the night. I really wanted to spend some time in Istanbul as it has been a while since I was there and it is such a fantastic city. So a group of us, Simon and Rupert, Dom and Alex, the Raker's and us hatched a plan to park in a hotel close to the Bosphorous bridge get into the historic part of the city from there.

Crossing the bridge and leaving Asia behind was a very symbolic act. We have driven right across this massive continent and to enter Europe and be getting so close to home was a great moment. We organised a water taxi to take us across which was a fantastic way to approach the city. Rupert was especially happy to be on water again. We went to the Blue Mosque (closed!) and, to what is, I think, one of the most staggeringly awesome buildings in the world: Ayah Sofia. I really wanted those in our little group who had not been to Istanbul before to see this as to stand under the massive, unsupported dome and gaze in wonderment at the splendour of it all is quite an experience. Eve more so when you remember that it was finished in 537. Yes, that's right 537.

We then had a great lunch in a restaurant overlooking the turquoise sea , went to the Egyptian Bazaar as, sadly, the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday's and eventually returned to our cars and drove the 80kms to get here, a large, brash resort hotel. It had been a perfect day in Istanbul and made all of us, first-timer's and seasoned visitors want to book our flights to come back very soon.

So, tomorrow Greece and another long day of driving. We are very pleased that Jan and Marteen, car 28, are back with us for the final push to Paris. Their Lagonda became terminal in Mongolia and they had to fly home. They have driven here, from Holland, in their Austin Healey . It is good to see them again. It's all about getting to Paris now, so tantalisingly close.