Mud glorious mud… and Chai

Our day starts and ends with mud.

After extricating ourself from the campsite mud, just around the corner 3 aggressive sheep dogs make for a very shaky start to the day.

The scenery is green, beautiful, mountainous and empty. Today we will work our way around a large reservoir on the Euphrates. At the dam it is time for Chai - smiles and a warm welcome to cheer us up. The weather is mixed but we dodge the heavy showers once more enjoying the ride high above the reservoir shores.

At 2 it is time to collect some water. The lady next door to the tap invites us in for chai with the family.

On the road ahead a small landslide has completely removed the road. We push the bikes up through the field above and around. Its no mean feat. The land is very wet and very muddy - and so are we and the bikes. Another session to extract shoes and tyres and then onwards and downwards to another large green plain with a wide meandering river.Read more