Icedogs

For 5 days we are stuck on the boiling hot parking lot of the garage. Tired, tense and overheated. We can imagine more fun moments than that…

But the Russians try their best.

On day 1 the mechanics take out the gear box.

On day 2 it gets dismantled and they look at what’s wrong and what can be done about it.

On day 3 we eagerly wait for the necessary parts. You can compare it with a child waiting for Santa, just more freightening. Unfortunately the ordered clutch (which was broken as well) doesn’t fit. It has the correct serialnumber, but it has a different size than the one in Daisy, so it doesn’t work. Oups! Our hope drains away. It cannot be true that we strand here? After all the work, investing all that energy, and money, and all the preparations of the past year?

The doggies behave themselves greatly and keep strong, but it is obvious that the combination of heat, no movement and constant uncerteanty eates at them. Luckily the Russians are great people, helpful and compassionate. They look for alternative solutions and also people from the neighbouring company offer us food and bring fresh pieces of beef and chicken for the dogs. So much hospitality for the stranded traveller, it’s hartwarming.

On day 5 the mechanics try to fit in a non-original clutch which has the correct size but has a different structure than the original one. Our mood swings between hope and dispair, but miracles do happen: it works! Daisy drives!!

Spasiba spasiba, Russian comrades! We are so grateful!

But what now? It is uncertain how reliable the repair will be, so we have to rethink what we’re gonna do. It’s at least 2 more weeks of driving through the blistering hot Russian countryside before reaching the Altai mountains.The dogs are exhausted by the heat and definately need exercise and some satisfaction and we too are stressed out because of the fatigue and the uncertainty. No one garantees us that the new construction will hold. Maybe it will hold a day, a month, a year… who knows?

Based on all this, we drastically change our plans and decide to head north, to the cool forests and quiet lakes. Peace and quiet, also in our heads. Time to recharge and take a fresh start.

Daisy protests for a second, but as we limit the speed to 80km/h she does her job perfectly. Good girl!

On the way we pass cute houses, and there is always time for tea.

The landscape changes, the North is showing itself.

The doggies come to life, they can run in the forests again and we’re back together again.

We feel it: this will turn out fine! 🙂