Friday 13 November 2015

Han to Timphu

We had an extraordinary night last night sleeping in a Bhutanese farmhouse with Xavier and Ines. We had a brilliant evening of Perudo followed by Bhutanese dancing around the fire, Bhutanese fire water (not to be recommended), an excellent dinner followed by more Perudo. Paddy seems to have got the knack very quickly which concerns "the master" but we shall see whether he can sustain his early good fortune.

Paddy, Ines and Xavier all slept like logs at the farmhouse. I didn't manage a wink but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I just couldn't persuade myself to visit the long-drop in the middle of the night when I needed a pee.

What a fantastic drive along the Han valley. The sun was shining, blue sky and we meandered down the most beautiful valley you can imagine. One would be mad not to soak up every precious moment as we dropped slowly down to Timphu. The road is narrow and there are very very steep, at some points vertical drops on the valley side. It doesn't provide very much scope for the driver to do anything but concentrate on the road whilst the passenger/ navigator, in this case myself, enjoys some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

The traffic is very light and there are plenty of passing places so as long as you don't over cook the speed or your brakes fail then everything is very straight forward. OF course rallying is never straight forward and Chris and Salty, with Sophie and Louise in the back, did loose their brakes on the way down! Fortunately it wasn't at a particularly steep section and there was enough brake left to allow then to pull up. Their brake seal had wasted away, but no worries they had replacement. With the advice of Alastair and Mark they got most of their repair done before Hector and Richard the mechanics arrived. They are now here safely at the hotel.

Poor Xavier and Ines then broke down in the Land Cruiser rented at vast expense because their original Chevy has a broken half shaft. The fuel pump had failed. Somehow, without a replacement, Charlie managed a bush fix and they are now also in the hotel. I think that they are picking up yet another car tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a short day so F+Dougie is trying to arrange a game of golf at The Royal Timphu Golf Club.

More photos to come

RHC


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