Cape to Cape Expedition

Syrianka- Russia - (Зырянка)

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3rd March 2008

11th March 2008

Tomorrow we are setting off for Pevek. We have not been able to find out any information about the truck that is going to be there as communications are non existent out here. Our only option is to continue further into Siberia and hope that we can get from Pevek to Uelen.

Driving is unbelievable as are the Ural trucks. As we cannot get off the road otherwise we would get stuck when a truck approaches I just flash my lights and they dive off the side of the road with maybe 10tonne of coal on board and just flatten any bushes or trees that are in their way. All the truck drivers hoot and wave - we think everyone knows we are coming now!!

Everything else is fine; the Land Rover is fixed, we're in a nice hotel and Syrianka is a pleasant town.

10th March 2008

We all met up in Syrianka which is one of the largest towns on the  Kolyma River and have been repairing the Land Rover shockers in Michaels boat garage. Nikolai and Sergei have been brilliant and are working very hard to organise transport from Pevek to Uelen. We are offloading as much weight off the Land Rover as possible into the truck to try and minimise suspension damage.

Tonight we have been to Sergei's house and spent a lovely evening with his family. We are going to stay in Syrianka at least for tomorrow and are in a hotel - what luxury!

8th/9th March 2008

The snow has got very deep on the roads as of yesterday and driving is quite horrendous (but do-able) in often two foot of snow. The Land Rover is taking quite a beating. Yesterday we broke a rear shock absorber which we repaired. Then this morning we broke one side, then quite soon after the other side and so we are limping along at 5kph (for 100km) to get to Syrianka late tonight. We both had a swig of vodka (just one mind) when the second shocker went as we knew it was going to be a very, very long day - what we don't want to break is a spring.

Yesterday we also got stuck when we pulled into the side to let an oncoming truck pass. The truck driver was very accommodating and pulled us out with his Ural no problem. The only other vehicles on the roads now are trucks - there is nothing as small as us!

The Kamas is following on as it progresses much faster than us (and so allows Nikolai and Sergei more sleep!). We will wait for it in Syrianka.