Days 7, 8 and 9

Hello rally blog readers. Internet access has posed a problem over the last couple of days but we're up and running again and glad to be back!

We left our hotel in Rezekne, Latvia early in the morning and headed for the Russian border. There hangs a tale. We joined the queue at 12.15 p.m. and waited patiently for 8 hours to get to the front of what was not a particularly long queue of cars (lorries are another story), and for our papers to be processed. It was a nerve-wracking experience but everyone was very patient and kept smiling. We eventually crossed the Russian border at 8 p.m. and re-grouped for our onward journey to a town called Velikiye Luki. Although it stayed light until 11 p.m. we still managed to do our only bit of night driving (Kelly got the short straw there).

Having overnighted in our hotel, who graciously served us dinner at midnight! we were off to another early start on Day 8 (Saturday) and our final leg of our mammoth drive to Moscow.

We had expected a rough ride, from reports we heard about the Russian roads but were pleasantly surprised and made excellent progress, arriving in the outskirts of Moscow around 4.30. Our trustee AA men were met by members of the Russian Mini Club who joined our convoy and led us into the city, blocking the carriageway (very brave!) and enabling us all to stay together through the hectic Moscow traffic. It was to be seen to be believed - 14 cars and a motorbike arriving in ubroken convoy through the manic traffic of one of the busiest cities in the world.

At last we reached our destination - RED SQUARE! That was some photocall. Everyone took photos of everyone else and there was a tremendous feeling of achievement and relief. In fact, we were all jubilant.

We then moved on to our Hotel, the President in the heart of Moscow with tremendous views across t he city. The cars were assembled ready for loading onto the transporters which would take them on the journey back to the UK.

Today the group have some free time and again the Russian Mini Club are on hand to take us on a tour of the city. Watch this space............