FREE AT LAST

Two days of sitting in offices and the usual bureaucratic hassles resulted in our release from the port of Istanbul.

WE ARE FREE AT LAST.

None of us had ever driven on the right side of the road , sothat was a big adventure in itself. After crossing the Bosporus on a car ferry we settled quickly back in Istanbul.

An extra security guard has been put on tonight to watch over us as the boss stays the last night for a while in a hotel.

In the morning he will find out if the security guard has been a sleep or not. We hope for the best as we do not want things missing already.

Unfortunately three people in the group already lost money or some goods.

Tomorow some time for sightseeing and then of to Gallipoli in the early afternoon.

It has been cool here so there is no fear for overheating.

Willy 28 april 2009

Aletta Malta

You have not heard from us for a while as we have been in hibernation for a few weeks on the way to Malta.
The boss has been busy getting ready to come over.
They found nice friends to look after the house and dog Cleo.
Lucky dog, she will be fat when they get back !!
Fortunately the pirates left us alone whilst sailing towards Suez canal, and we have reached Malta.
There was a bit of a layover here waiting for the transfer to Istanbul. But we do not want to be there early. As the shipping companies then charge "demurrage" fees. That means a charge per day for the rent of the container and it is a lot !
Better to spent that money on fuel as we are very thirsty.

The intention is that we get loaded on the Tuesday the 20th and arrive in Istanbul on Saturday 24th of April.

The boss and the first co-pilot will be leaving for Istanbul with Turkish Airlines on Sunday. Not so sure about that Airline...
remember Amsterdam airport ?
They are going to try on Monday 27th to get me released.

We are really looking forward to some fresh air and cannot wait to get roaring along again.
Wonder about that battery...... will let you now next Tuesday

On The Water with the CMA CGM Charcot

We have been on the water now for more than a week.

And what a week. Not long after leaving Sydney we got to Brisbane and a few other friends joined us.

But than the party really started when we hit cyclone Hamish.
My goodness what a storm.

Just aswell that we were well strapped down. I heard a few cries on board of stuff that was not so well secured. When you open those boxes at the end of the voyage...... What a mess.
But I can report that we are ok.

Being on deck is not an ideal spot. It was first cold and now stinking hot.

All this tossing around has not been good for our stomachs. We have been spilling a few bits and pieces. I also noticed that the boss left his driving glasses in here. Not so smart as he needs them still in Sydney.

Also those reds into my mates cabin is sloshing around and now the heat of the tropic..... That will only be good for the sewer when we finally arrive in Istanbul. Sorry Mick.

New Zealand Contingent

What a smart looking Dodge.

In fact I have never seen one of those before.
Did the Russians copy these ???
If it goes half as good as it looks, then it will get to Normandy.
For sure...









But,.... those ropes look very flimpsy and the blocks
will require fumigation at the other end !


Hopefully the Dodge will come out as smart as it went in and
does not get a bloody nose




Very smart looking combination but,
Holy shit..... , is this colour the NZ interpretation of

"olive drab green"

To be honest it looks like it has been behind a NZ pooh spreader .
Hopefully not smelling like one ?

Until next time , Willy

(Editor: apologies for Willy being so unkind about this great looking Kiwi Jeep combination)

Sydney Group

This is me "Willy" to the left and my desert friend on the right.

The blokes in the middle are our custodiens.






We are both inside now and enjoying some rest before the big journey.


PS:
No one had to crawl out through the windscreen to get out..
Another one or two vehicles from Sydney would have been nice.

You will see us again in Istanbul by the end of April.

Willy

A TIGHT FIT ALLRIGHT

Some have made it a very tight fit.

Fancy taking the tyres off!

With the only escape through the windscreen.

This is how you fill a container.

Absolute chucker.

Willy

PS Could be some cosy beds in there .

The Brisbane Group

These are my fellow vehicles from Brisbane.
Looking very smart and a nice variety.

(How comfortable to sleep in the back of those trucks.)








The Brisbane hopefulls. They have already loaded on The CMA CGA Charcot.

All will be flying low in those fancy trucks but....

Spot the real pilots among them.

PS I have made them a bit taller. They look better that way.