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The cars are fixed!! Holly has had some work done to her suspension and Martha has a new lease of life with fixed brakes, a repaired steering column and some extra supports welded onto her chassis. We went to the garage first thing and Vladimir - (yep, we actually met someone called Vladimir) - helped us explain to the mechanics what was wrong and what needed fixing. A few hours later, the cars were done.... and we were given one of the toughest decisions to make of the entire trip.

The guy who owns the garage has taken a shine to Martha. He wants to keep her. It's not surprising - she's a lovely car, and very rare over here. So, he takes me out onto the forecourt and offers me any car I want. Any of the cars he has for sale - all working, all capable of getting to Mongolia, all fixable over this side of the world, and all with readily available spares. He offers to get one tricked-out so it will last the distance and will even fit a stereo, (it would be nice to have some tunes!!). All he wants is Martha.

So - the decision. Do I trade my 49 year old car with a drivers window that doesn't shut, a weird knocking noise, no ignition key, no stereo, a ridiculously small fuel tank, a drivers door that doesn't shut, body work that lets in water - (and we're due to go through some rivers soon), no spares this side of the Ukraine, only 4 gears and a maximum speed of 48 mph.... for a fully working car, capable of going the distance, with a stereo, a key that starts the engine AND locks the doors..??? It's a tough decision.

I'm on my way to Pavlodar, hopeful of crossing the border into Russia early tomorrow morning. The question is... am I driving Martha?