Les Mongauloises

Fwd: Mercy Corps -Thank You!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:38:00 +0000

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Mercy Corps <web@uk.mercycorps.org>
Date: 26 September 2008 12:15:42 BST
To: lesmongauloises@gmail.com
Subject: Mercy Corps -Thank You!

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26 September 2008

I would like to donate:
£

Over 300 Adventurers Return Home!

Dear ,

Now that you have all made it back in one piece from your travels around the globe, Mercy Corps would like to take this opportunity to say a huge congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated in the 2008 Summer Rickshaw Run and Mongol Rally!

It is because of brave adventurers like you that we are able to continue the vital work that we do. All of the money that you have raised as part of these events is essential in providing the funds for our community programmes in Mongolia and India.

To date, £62,000 has been raised through the Mongol Rally, which will go towards sustainable community based projects in 4 of Mongolia's toughest provinces. For more information click here Mongol Rally Projects 2008

And the £ 30,172 raised so far from the Rickshaw Run will be used to support six tea farming, educational and small business initiatives in India. To find out more click here Rickshaw Run Projects 2008

Thanks again for all your efforts – both physical and fundraising – it really is hugely appreciated. Remember to check our dedicated 'Rickshaw Run' and 'Mongol Rally' website pages for ongoing updates.

With Best Wishes

Alison Cameron
Director of Fundraising

Mercy Corps - 17 Claremont Crescent, Edinburgh, EH7 4HX, UK
Mercy Corps Scotland is a Registered Charity No: SC030289.
Company Registration No: 208829
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Grand Total so far £2011.26

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:28:00 +0000

We have raised £1453.08 for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation via JustGiving/Mongauloises and £558.18 for Mercy Corps via JustGiving/LesMongauloises and WillWeMakeIt/lesmongauloises
so thank you folks for digging deep. That's a grand total of £2011.26 including Gift Aid.

Project Mongolia: Build A Ger Somewhere

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:45:00 +0000

How about one of these on the back lawn? Check out this video on
YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UHb0KfisNE

Sent from my iPhone

nurbergring

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:08:00 +0000

Suggestion from Steve Merrow-Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:13:00 +0000

****************************************************
* NOT SPAM! This message was sent from our site to *
* you by the person named below because they felt *
* there was something here of interest to you. *
* This is not a mailing list. *
****************************************************
Hi merrow-smith.org,

Steve Merrow-Smith stopped by Oxford Mail
website and suggested that you visit the following URL:

http://www.oxfordmail.net/search/display.var.2427324.0.rally_duo_reach_mongolia.php

Here is their message ...

we're in the paper

Back in GB!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:04:00 +0000

Gem says:

The lads have arrived home. No thanks to baggage delay of over an hour at Gatwick. After a cup of tea, slice of cake and a glass or two of champagne the boys are heading to bed.....

Flights Booked

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:10:00 +0000

11.00. Fay said

They now have all their flights booked! Arrive back at Gatwick Tuesday evening. Sounds as though they just want to get back now and enjoy some 'home comforts'.

Mongauloises in Mongolia

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:05:00 +0000

We arrived in Ulan Bataar on Sunday morning at 4am and had an hours
nod in the car before heading in to town to the End of the Road finish
line for 6am a mere 11 hours late for the party. We lost one of our
convoy here in this photo as Colin from Team TorbayTourists hit a big
rock the size of a turtle which stopped him dead raising his Panda off
it's rear wheels smashing the gearbox bell housing. 4 hours later we
had helped him get going again by straightening out his engine mounts
only to later fail as sand was scouped up into the clutch and starter
motor and the drive shafts snapped. We left him with a lorry driver
who took him back to the airport.
We now were 2 cars with Lloyd and Simon in their 22yr old 2CV. They
after many repair stops had to quit 31 miles from home with a sheared
suspension arm at 2am on Sunday morning. Steve and Will soldiered on
alone feeling their way through the myriad crisscrossing tracks in the
dark completely exhausted but triumphant. We fly to Berlin tomorrow so
should be back in Blighty shortly after. What a fabulous adventure it
has been and we met up in UB last night with the whole gang. The 2CV
Bristol Heroes had been rescued by a passing lorry when a minibus full
of Mongols hoiked the car by hand onto the truck and brought them in
to town. Naturally many beers later we were still swapping horror
stories but we knew that our little car had stepped up to the
challenge and we too had made it. Viva Les Mongauloises!

Bye Bye Bella!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:55:00 +0000

08.45 Fay said

Steve and Will have just handed over 'Bella' so that she can be repaired before being auctioned for charity. They have booked flights to Berlin for tomorrow - just need to get from Berlin to UK. So we will soon be able to hear all about their amazing adventure first hand!

Shattered

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:23:00 +0000

10.30. Fay said

I spoke to Steve and Will a couple of hours ago, they are shattered but delighted to have reached UB. Steve was very emotional when he was telling me about having to leave Bristol Heroes stranded 30 km from UB. They needed to go on to try and get help to get BH to the finish but fortunately BH flagged down a truck and 10 Mongolians lifted their 2CV onto the back and they finished sat in the car on the back of the truck. Both teams have helped each other through some very tough times and are now going out to get proper food and have a few 'jars' together.

Bella ended the last few km's with one of the new springs flapping in the breeze and a puncture but they made it all the way. Well done and we all admire you both.

They are hoping to organise flights home for Tuesday.

They've made it!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:14:00 +0000

Steve and Will just called from UB. Its 4am their time, they're tired and parked up in a hotel car park but relieved to have made it. They're going to find in and wake up reception then sleep!! Tomorrow they plans to have breakfast and a well deserved pint at Dave's bar.

Crack the champagne open - they bloody did it!!

love Gem xx

400km to UB

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:24:00 +0000

10.15. Fay said

Just spoken to Steve and Will and they have reached Arvaikheer. According to other teams its 400km to UB and mostly tarmac! They seem hopeful of joining the party later tonight! Spirits remain high and Bella is running well!

Burning Bush!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:50:00 +0000

0800. Fay said

Managed to get through to The boys just as they were driving into Bayankhongor where they need to find a welder! The additional springs have made a big difference to Bella but she has taken a knock at the front and the sump guard needs securing. Steve said this happened when they hit a boulder in one of the deep corrigated tracks! Bristol Heroes need a new shock absorber. They have been chasing one of the local buses - a large 4 x 4 - which takes 2 days to drive non stop at 45 mph from Altai to UB. At least they knew they were heading in the right direction!

They camped out in the desert last night and couldn't find any wood for a fire so set light to a bush!

They sounded very upbeat and now realise why they felt so 'odd' when we last spoke. They were beginning to wonder if they were ill but it was the effect of the high altitude.

Some teams say its 600km from Bayankhongor to UB and others say its 300km so I think there is some confusion between miles and km's! We don't really know how far they have to go but whatever it will be tough to reach UB in time for the party tomorrow night.

Bristol Heroes Blog - courtesy of Rachel

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:21:00 +0000

Latest from Simon in Altai

At 06:47 on 14-08-2008 Simon said...

Rachel says...Simon phoned this morning which was great as I could check up on him after the drama of the engine fire. He's ok but he has burnt his hands which sensibly he has bandaged up and put some cream on (they had a good first aid kit so no worries there).

They met up with Steve and Will (Les Mongauloises) in Altai last night and both cars have had some repairs this morning (DaNiTA the 2CV needed a new shock absorber). They are now back on the road heading for Bayanhongor. It might be a bit tight to make it to Ulaan Bataar for Saturday (the official end of the rally) but I think both teams are confident they will make it.

As suspected sad news for Colin the Torbay Tourist. His car hit a rock on the road and basically the engine was on the road! A massive bodge from Colin and Simon saw the engine back in place only for the drive shaft to go 90km later. Truly heroic efforts and well done to Colin for getting to Mongolia - we'll see you for a few beers back in the UK!

Both teams are having phone problems so contact is difficult in this later stage but one thing I was keen to ask Simon about this morning was why, even though we had had no contact, had he burnt through £30 in 3 days on his mobile phone. Simon is not even sure he still has his mobile phone so my suspicians that I was funding some Mongol's international calls are probably correct - sorry I'm cutting you off!

Repairs.

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:55:00 +0000

05.15. Fay said

Steve phoned at 5am (!) to say that they are having phone problems. The good news is that a mechanic who repairs the cars (that make it to UB) before they are auctioned for charity, has welded some additional springs on to Bella to give them extra clearance. Will said he didn't want to see under the wheel arches ever again! They are just waiting for Bristol Heroes to have a new bolt fitted and then they are off again.

They were travelling at 10 mph for much of yesterday so did not cover too much ground! Confidence is now high and they assure me they WILL make it.

They are safe!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:51:00 +0000

16.30. Fay said

I have just heard from the boys who are safe - thank goodness! They have had a nightmare ride but can see lights ahead hopefully Altai. Torbay Tourists who were in their convoy smashed their gearbox on a rock which delayed the convoy for 2 days - unfortunately TT have had to give up.

Steve and Will have been with Bristol Heroes but both have had some car problems. Bella has had another broken spring and also developed a 'clunking' noise and they have had to dump the roof rack to get rid of some weight!

They sound a little down and shattered! Hopefully the terrain may improve slightly and make the going a little easier.

No Updates!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:33:00 +0000

10.30. Fay said

Have not heard anything from the boys since their SMS messages on Sunday! Have checked 'Bristol Heroes' site as they were convoying with them and no news there either! The last I heard was they were heading south to Khovd and then Altai. Will post any news I get as soon as it comes in!

A Mongolian Ger (Yurt)

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:58:00 +0000

Perhaps this would solve the UK housing crisis?

Build your own Yurt!

Etiquette

Traditionally, anyone stopping outside of a ger is invited in for a meal, a sheep is killed for the feast (more practical on the lonely steppes of Mongolia than in this overcrowded island). When entering the yurt it is considered impolite to step on the threshold or to hold onto the ropes. The traditional greeting offered by the visitor consists of four questions: are you well?, is your family well?, are your cattle/sheep fat?, is the grass good? the answer to each of these questions is yes, whatever the reality. After exchanging greetings the guest is offered tea, followed by airag and then yoghurt. Visitors to a Kalmuk yurt are offered arak, distilled spirit of airag, three glasses must be drunk in rapid succession. Following these formalities men exchange snuff and the party can become more relaxed. At the meal the guest carves and shares the meat.

There are a number of rules which guests should follow. All weapons should be left outside, do not step on the threshold, point your feet at or put rubbish on the fire. Do not sit with your back to the altar, whistle, write in red pen, step over older people or point a knife at anyone. One should take at least a little of any food or drink offered. When offered arak or vodka flick a small amount to the sky, the wind and the earth before drinking.

Text lifted from www.woodlandyurts.co.uk

Gem xx

Gert hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:33:00 +0000

16.30. Fay said

Latest text: We're with others at a Gert Hotel for $20 for the two of us. Got through the border at 14.30. Took really slow third gear road! Like Donkey Lane surface but set on Mars or the moon if there were cows and grass there! Massive hill stopped us - 1 in 4 - half way up. Bella ran out of grip at the goose neck as we took avoiding action from boulders and deep ruts. Stopped and had a think as we were looking down at the peaks! A Spanish team in a fiesta were stopped at the same place. So we agreed on the best course. In first gear we went hell for leather all the way to the top. The fiesta followed and the two passengers had to walk up 2000m! A Mongolian has told us that we will be ok now for any other slopes as this is the worst. A few miles along the ridge and a perfect black tarmac road appeared (as if in a dream) which ran 30km into town! Will took over and smiled at the thought of driving in Mongolia. Scenery stunning and we're in a Gert.

They are in Mongolia!!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:40:00 +0000

14.30. Fay said

Just had a message to say they have reached Olgii and that Will drove. So they obviously did get through the border late yesterday or this morning! Great news!

Latest

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:53:00 +0000

18.30. Fay said

Latest text from Steve says that the welded spring has been fitted and strengthened by 2 Mongolian guys. Have had tea, honey and bread at a local farm and now the vodka is coming out!! Only 10 cars got through the border.

I am unsure whether that means that they were one of the ten cars or whether they are still waiting!

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:08:00 +0000

11.00am Fay said

Just heard from the boys again. They are still waiting at the border - 5 cars have been let through including Teams Top Gun and Panda Hands who they convoyed with on the stretch to Prague. A Mongolian family who are in front of them are confident that they will all get through. We wait to hear!! They are hoping that if they manage to get through the Russian side today, they will wait in no man's land overnight and have been told that the Mongolian side is open tomorrow morning!

It appears that they arrived at the border with a scaffolding pole and lorry strap holding one side of the car up! Steve said everyone was very impressed with his modifications! A 'local' has welded the old spring for £5 but Steve still has to fit it back on the car. They have also been given a spare spring by an Italian team so at least they are a little prepared for more of the same or worse roads!

Steve said they absolutely STINK but they had to drive through the night to make the border, stopping only for a couple of hours sleep by the side of the road. They said that the scenery was stunning with some wonderful lakes that they wanted to jump into but were not able to make the most of it due to limited time.

They send their love to everyone.

Mongol Border

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Merrow-Smith) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Made it!

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:50:00 +0000

0845. Fay said

They have made it to the border but NO cars have been allowed through so it could be a long weekend

Good and Bad News

noreply@blogger.com (Monsieur Les) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:21:00 +0000

0700: Fay said

The good news is that Steve and Will are 50km from the Mongolian border at Tsagaanuur! There are lots of other rally teams in the area. 11 teams have been waiting at the border for 5 hours so lets hope that LesMongauloises make it through before it closes for the weekend.

The bad news is that one of the springs has broken again! Steve has put a scaffolding pole in as a temporary repair! But whatever they have nearly reached Mongolia!!! Amazing.