More visas more waiting...........

A delay in getting the LOI for China meant a chance to get a Tajik visa. These Central Asian visas continue to entertain..............
The Tajik "Embassy" is in an office block in Hammersmith; after asking at reception where I could find it, I was pointed to an affable bloke sat at a coffee table in the corner of what appeared to be somebody elses waiting room. He had a pile of passports, so I guess he was the Embassy. Anyway, £110 later (ouch; what do they spend the money on? Certainly not on office space!), I was told to come back in a week. So, assuming I haven't just handed my passport and cash to some random bloke on a tea-break, I should have my passport back just in time to apply for my Chinese visa. This will be the last one before the off. Hopefully will finally be on the road in about a fortnight. Until then, waiting, waiting, waiting..............

The bike is virtually ready. New chain and sprockets and an oil change next week. I might even give it a clean before I go (OK, maybe not). The 12v power socket and LED battery level warning light I wired up last week seem to work well.

Song for the day: Townes Van Zandt - Lungs (don't know why, but can't get it out of my head!)

Miracles do happen.........

Well, Scotland finally managed to beat the Aussies in their own backyard for the first time in 30 years. This video is of the post winning kick celebration. Scotland have elevated the headbutt to almost balletic grace!

Anyway, the build up to the trip continues. Tibet is now almost certainly a no-go. At this point it seems all foreigners are barred from entering Tibet. It may change by September, but it isn't looking good. So a diversion through Xinjiang, Gansu and Sichuan to Yunnan is in order. Still some epic scenery to ride through.

The recent opening of the Georgia - Russia border at Kazbegi has alllowed for more options for London to the 'Stans. As Ukraine will only recently have finished with some football competition (I hate football!), Turkey looks more appealing. Also Georgia was one of only two countries that Scotland managed to beat in the last RWC. Not really a reason to go there, but the mountains are supposed to be beautiful.