stray: 2019-09-13 Day 351 Fri.

The engine did not start It cranked over strongly, but did not fire. I contacted Jane from Orion and she gave us the mechanics number. John contacted him on WhatsApp. After a few minutes and questions he came up with the thought that it could be the common rail diesel pressure control valve. If it stops working completely we will not be able to start the engine.

We have decided not to visit the lakes off to the NW in Altai and to make a B-line to Novosibirsk and repairs.

With the batteries joined and the sun on the panels we got the start batteries up to 13.6V. The sun then disappeared into the increasing cloudy weather. It was enough and the engine thankfully started.

Drove through Duut which was a tiny town.

Not far out of town we met this Swiss guy in his defender. Had quite a chat. He was going a slightly different track than us but our map did not have a road. He ended up retracing our path across the mountain pass.

We came across this fox. We have seen 2 or 3 but not as close as this.

We made it into Khovd the capital of this area, and big on monuments. This white bottle is reminiscent of a bottle a Mongol showed us. It was wrapped in a little pouch, he unwrapped it and gave it to us to smell. I am not sure if they snort it like snuff or whether it is perfume.

Bought fuel and some food. In the supermarket I met an American biker who was heading to border as well. Getting cold in a tent. He mentioned that he was not sure if border was open at weekends. I looked up carivanistan and it is open 0900-1800 Monday to Saturday.

Which means we needed to get close to the border tonight so that if engine does not start early we have time to get some solar and still get to the border before lunch time. A long days drive.