On the road to Mongolia

This is a travel post - maybe not in a Landy - but natch, there is a Landy link.

Not long after we had embarked on our own travels through France, Spain and Portugal (in the Landy), we received a letter from a friend in the UK.

Like us, he had a Series III 109 with a V8, so there was never a shortage of conversation. Might have been a shortage of different topics - but who needs more than one?

He worked within a radius of up to 100 or so miles from home. When he rewired our Series after the rebuild - there was no charge. A genuine Land Rover mate.

Anyway, his letter told us he was off to work for a private company which ran maintenance contracts on a British Army base in a previously war-torn country. As with most of these international interventions, the role had changed to peacekeeping and reconstruction.

The next time he got in touch, he was off south - to somewhere colder. This confused us both. South is invariably warmer. Unless it is Antarctica. On his way back home, via what seemed like half of South America, he called in to see us in Spain - as you do.

In fact, he flew into Malaga, found the bus to our village, and when we were still busy cleaning the place for his arrival there was a knock on the door. Were we ever impressed. 'Hello,' he said, and smiled.

A good week or so ago, we g0t an email announcing the next short journey he's going on. Mongolia. In an ambulance.

So below are some links - ones for his team, and the official web site for The Adventurists.

I'd never heard of The Adventurists before, but it's a fascinating site, if a bit of a pain to negotiate.

And the other relevant Landy comment is - you can't take one on any of The Adventurist expeds :( Unless - it is a public service utility vehicle, eg ex-mil ambulance or fire engine, but you would have to check up on that. If I'm wrong, no doubt someone will correct me.

Nevertheless - well worth a read. Suggested page on the official site if you want detail is the handbook download. Most of the rest of the sections are pretty pix but don't tell you much.

Teams participating in the rally raise fifty per cent of their money for a local specified charity in Mongolia, and the other fifty per cent is for a charity chosen by the team.

Each team needs to be self-supporting as there is no official back-up or support team. When they hit the road, they are on their own.

Good luck to our mate and his colleagues from work in the Antarctica - not long to go now to the start date, 23rd July from Goodwood UK. Hope to read about your all your adventures on the team blog. Have a great trip.

Main links posted on here will also be included on the sidebar for easy reference.

Adventurists' home page

Mongol rally link on Adventurists' site (download of handbook available on this link)

Mongols blog

The ambulance(s)