To Monywa

Vera and Herman decided to leave Maymyo early for the descent from the hills.  They had probably moved about 2 metres when they broke down.  It was nothing too major and, breaking down in the car park before anyone else has left, is the place to do it.  They were soon on their way.  About 15 of the cars have needed help from the mechanic team over the last few days; the major job bring to fit new shocks on the DB6 - a rather more complicated machine than a Model A! 

I am pleased to report that car 2 is behaving impeccably since it's little mishap with a wheel bearing.  It is purring, well, maybe not exactly purring, but certainly jogging merrily along.  It is the slowest car in the rally, the second oldest, after the Bentley, but holding its own magnificently. After the brief moment of being joint first it is now back in its rightful place of languishing at the bottom with so many penalty points on the board it looks like a telephone number.  It doesn't care, it's having a ball as are the driver and navigator.  The plucky little car is still having moments of glory though.  It overtook the Bentley AGAIN and, for many miles, it was leading a little cavalcade of a Lagonda, a DB6, a Rolls, and a Chevy.

The journey down from the cool and often, quite frankly, freezing Shan Plateau was a joy.  Lots of twists and turns and glorious views.  We were soon back on the hot, dusty plain, skirting Mandalay, crossing the Irrawady and off to our home for two nights, Monywa.

We had dinner last night in the hotel dining room that has more than a touch of 7/11 ambience.  A bit like a boarding school dining room from the 60's, but with less charm.  Never mind, tonight Zani has persuaded them to put the tables in the garden which will be far better.  There will be fewer other guests too, which will be better.  Our rally family likes to have the place to 

Simone and I went for an early morning walk around the lake.  It was lovely.  Everyone coming to in their little houses, the monks out and a mini market going on from the back of a moto.

There was an option of going to more caves this morning, which we decided not to do.  Heidi, who has just returned, said they were the most beautiful thing she'd ever see.  Oh well.  We did see a totally nuts pagoda yesterday though.  A real theme park McPagoda.  Over 550,00 Buddhas - not a typo, and more colours than you would ever have thought possible.  There was also a health pavillion funded by the Tiger Balm family, being suitably guarded by several stripy creatures.

It's almost time for my fresh fruit facial and massage with soothing unguents. Rallying is so hard.