About time I posted on here.

So there was a considerable sale happening down at a large trekking supplier. Taking a not-inconsiderable list of things to look out for, and a quick revision of the website the night before, we hit the shop armed with voucher, discount card and a loose budget.

Roughly £700 later out of the Scrooge McPayne Investment fund, we got ourselves:

• A 4-man, 3-section tent with central porch area
• 3 tri-season sleeping bags
• 3 self-inflating sleeping mats
• 3 large foldable chairs (with a special one for Rhys)
• 3 mosquito nets for the non-camping accommodation
• 3 60(+10) litre bags for personal clothes and kit, separable sections for day-bags
• An array of pots, pans, mess tins, water tablets and food related tools
• A sizeable knife and fire-starter pack

So all in all, not a bad haul. We’re now juggling a few suppliers to see what they can offer in terms of tools and other equipment, so there’s still much to be sourced. At least now we have a roof over our heads and something to cook roadkill with.

Paperwork has been the bane of our existence of late; visas are confusing beasts and very much a case of each country having their own “thing”. If the UN wanted to do something great, I tell you – unifying visa processes across the world would make life for a lot of rally teams and travellers so much easier. Iran, surprisingly has been one of the simplest and smoothest visa applications, compared to the 500 acres of trees that had to be cut down for Uzbekistan’s requirements. Never the less, it’s all done, and now in the lap of the visa-gods to decide if we are worthy of processing.

More mechanical-related updates to come, and be sure to check out our introduction video, finished this week by Thomas – should be posted somewhere close by.

Taa-taa for now.