Wales to Mongolia, Timbuktu and now Azerbaijan

We finally made it to Baku today, ansd were greeted at the Wales team’s hotel by some of the players and officials of the FAW, who have agreed to pay for our match tickets for the game tomorrow.  They also bought us all a pint of (hard earned) beer, which went down very well indeed!

Baku has changed dramatically since we were last here five years ago, and we have spent the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the city. Tomorrow we may be visiting another orphanage in the morning, and then we will be looking forward to the Azerbaijan-Wales match in the afternoon.

Neil Dymock shakes hands with Joe Ledley.  Rob Earnshaw and goalkeepers Wayne Henessey and Lewis Price are also in this photo. (as are Jim and Dave!)

Friday 10.03 am
finally arrived in Baku after nearly exactly 7 days. Jst met the welsh team in their hotel and now enjoying a well earned pint paid for by the FAW.

Friday 7.45 am
Had to abandon our coach and now clattering into Baku on the number 345 bus. 7 days since we left home and we’re nearly there!

Friday 5.51 am
100km from Baku now but bus has broken down again

Thursday 9.24 pm
Staying in Ganja. Been to 2 orphanages. Had 2 big meals at local restaurants but lost 18-6 to a team with 2 pro players! Off to Baku at 6am tomorrow.

Thursday 8.01 am
Finally arrived in Azerbaijan! Had to carry all our bags abt 1/2 mile from our georgian bus to the azeri bus. Now heading to an orphanage in Ganji.

Wednesday 9.53 pm
arrived at hotel and ordered a round of 7 beers. Barmaid looked astonished and disappeared for 20 minutes, then reappeared with bottles from a nearby shop!

Wednesday 6.30 pm
Going to Azer tomoz. bus ok now.

Wednesday 4.50 pm
bus broken down halfway up a mountain. Repairs underway..

Wednesday 3.49 pm
Just leaving on the bus to Tblisi. There is a reception being put on by the ambassador for us, although we are running a bit late due to red tape.

Wednesday 9.16 am
Tomorrow we are playing a football match against FC Ganja. Rumour is that John Toshack is a man short for his squad and will be watching from the stands .!

Wednesday 8.34 am
Unfortunately due to red tape it looks like we cant take the cars into Azer. We are going to leave the 6 cars  in Kutaisi and travel to Tblisi by bus.

Wednesdat 8.12 am
Arrived at Kutaisi 1 am last night and were greeted by the rest of the baku-or-bust crew, who had pints of beer waiting for us!

Tuesday 7.59 pm
In Georgia now on our way to Kutsaisi

Tuesday  4.18pm
At the Georgian border now. Theres another Ford Scorpio next to us! Queue not moving very fast..

Tuesday 12.13 pm
Got a speeding ticket this morning on the way to Trabzon. Was doing 109kph in a 90 zone. Driving along Black Sea coast now, temp 25-30 deg C.

Tuesday 01.30 am
Staying in Samsun on the Black Sea coast. Georgia tomorrow hopefully!

Monday 12.31 am
Staying in a motel on the Turkish border. £20 for the night for 2 of us!

Sunday 12.53 pm
Have arrived in Serbia ok, but we had to pay 100 euros for car insurance! On the road to Bulgaria, weather sunny. Starter motor dodgy but worked ok today..