-5℃ degrees at the front and 1℃ degree at the back. The
heater started and the room warmed. We adjusted our clocks to Russian time
by winding them back one hour. Trying to leave early, the wound back
clock helped, but being thwarted by waxy fuel. We did notice at the last
filling station in Kazakhstan that there was another diesel
with a snow symbol, we assumed the normal would have some protection and
the snow one to be for -30℃ or so. Wrong!!!
Some
hot water poured over the fuel filter and the stainless steel bowl under it full of
hot water, soon did the trick and 90mins later were on our way.
In
Ufa we stopped by a BIG supermarket, Metro cash and carry, shame we only
need food for 2 weeks such a lot to choose from here. From bottles of mushrooms to fresh dried and smoked fish and seafood
Bought
a new whisk, new chopping board, a bottle of vodka for our two
sons, a couple of bottles of wine and some vegies. You actually need a
member card to check out here, but when we came in a lady at the desk
handed us a piece of paper needed for check out.
Driving
Just around the corner for lunch with fresh bread didn’t happen and
we drove another hour and just pulled onto a side road for a quick
bite.
A lot of road works which is slowing our average a lot but at least the sections that are finished are smooth and fast
We
have heard back from Cleggy (an Australian squash friend of Johns) in
Nizhny Novgorod. He will be there on Wednesday so taking a slight
detour to visit him. We feel we have the two days spare….So trying
to get miles done.
About
18:00 John wanted to know sunset time - sun set time 17;10 ummm something
wrong. Googled time in Ufa 1600, We had crossed into Moscow timezone
missing gmt+6. So now gmt+7. Changed 3 hours today! A bit confussing.
We
struggled to find a camp on the map. A lot of oil here abouts and lots of nodding donkeys..
Finally
just slipped off the highway and on a dried muddy track found a camp
in a small forest under power lines between the highway and the train
line. A bit noisy but OK.
Dark at 17:30 but our bodies still think it is late.
Ate some cheese and ham with fresh bread for dinner. I retired to bed about 8:30 but slept lightly. John came about 21:.30 but was up again at 04:30…
460km Camp site 232m alt.