London to Sydney
Paul's Diary !
Day 17, India – Mysore, Gundlupet, Phalgat, Chalkudy, Cochin.
Today was an early start as we had 3 Indians banging vigorously on our door at 6am that woke us. We thought there must have been a fire or something, but as it turned out they just wanted to check our mini-bar! Bloody Indians … they have no concept of time! Anyway, up nice and early, small breakfast (wasn't much there) and of to our start at the Palace.
Today we have 2 tarmac stages of 11.2km each, we repeat the first stage twice.
From here we have a 450km tour back to Cochin so we can ‘cleanse' our cars ready for the inspection and flight to Australia. Upon leaving the quality Inn on our tour through the town to the Palace we looked back and discovered we were being stalked by about 4 couples on motorbikes, taking photo's and video's of us along the way, quite funny really. Anyway, we weaved our way through the 7.30am morning bustle of Eyesore and arrived at the Palace ready for the 8am start.
Lots of locals once again turned out to see us off. We had a short tour of about 2km before we arrived at the first run of the stage called ‘The Palace'.
Basically this was a fast run up and down a hill beside the palace, mostly uphill and very tight and twisty. The surface was OK but the little Astra just doesn't like uphills.
On the first run neither of us felt we did a good run, the first corner came up a little quick and I think Steve forgot we were still on cold tyres, brakes, etc… and we got a little sideways action happening, but came through OK. The rest of the stage was pretty un eventful, just a fast run through the hillside, but as finished we discovered we still had the air-con running, so in a 120hp car that saps about 10% of the power! Anyway, on to the second run, air-con off this time, we went a little smoother and pulled 20secs of the time, so we were OK with that.
From here we didn't have much time to fool about as we had to navigate ouor way through the many villages and traffic back to Cochin for the car wash. A lovely drive for about 150km through the wildlife parks as we crossed borders, but from there on it was on edge all the way as pedestrians, cows, goats, cars, motorbikes, tuk-tuks, busses and trucks all raced each other for the next available piece of bitumen! A very intense drive back but we made it safely with about 15 minutes to spare.
Along the way we saw the results of 2 recent head on collisions, both of which involved a car and a truck, and neither time the car won! I cant describe how bad they looked … but the second one was only about 50km from Cochin and the truck ended up on its side along the road. I think all the competitors made it back Ok, well I just hear the silver Corolla of Ian Begg was sandwiched between 2 trucks and broke both mirrors and split a tyre, but they are OK, and another red corolla was rammed from behind by a motorbike, but the best mishap was with Steve Blunt and his Corolla when he was waiting at the stage, a local pressed a few buttons in the car and set off their internal fire extinguisher! Anyway, all OK and another day. Now for some hard work and a few flights, I think its about 5 days before we actually run in another stage.
Day 18, 19, 20, India/Australia - Cochin/Darwin – Washing and inspection Day, transport to Darwin.
I think I have already mentioned the Australian Customs and Quarantine requirements for the entry of our cars into Australia. The whole event had to be changed around to accommodate this requirement … we cut short a day in India and we also now land in Darwin instead of Alice so the vehicle inspections can be completed. From here we have to find our own way down to Alice to start at the scheduled time. We arrived mid afternoon the day before so decided to get some of the interior of the car cleaned.
We pulled out seats and everything we that came apart easily and began the process. Fortunately we stopped and picked up a couple of buckets the day before. Steve started at the rear and me at the front. Basically we had to wash everything … so for the next 3 hours we labored and knocked off a fair bit of the work. We still had the driver/passenger areas to do but it was too dark to do anymore. We were scheduled to have the car lifted on the forklift to have the underneath and exterior cleaned with pressure hoses at 1.30, so we were up at 8am to continue the process. We pulled the radiators and air cleaners apart an were quite amazed at how many bugs and bits of grass we found, so we certainly see why this process is needed. By about 1pm we had pretty much finished everything we could … I don't think any car is this clean even from new.
Off we went to the holding area where the cars were lining up to be lifted and hosed .. but it appeared this process was taking a LOT longer than expected. Basically they use the high pressure hose to remove all the obvious dirt, but every hole they find they spray until any flow of water turns clear .. and sometimes this could take minutes. The inspectors are present while this is happening and constantly looking for dirt. The inspectors started at 6.30am and had to finish at 6.30pm when it got dark. They had only completed 16 cars instead of the expected 50+, so people were starting to get a little worried. Steve had to wait with the car from 4.30 to 7pm only to be sent back and told to come again at 6.30am. Arriving at 6.30 the slow process continued, but it appeared as the Indian cleaners and inspectors did more cars they got a little quicker, and also people that had put the effort in the day before were moved through faster. By about 10.30am it was finally the Astra's turn.
They only allowed 1 person so I stayed back the A BAD hotel while Steve went through the process. They inspected the interior and engine bay in about 5 minutes and were happy at our efforts. Up on the lift Steve had to remove the wheels once again and after about another 45minutes the hosing and inspection was complete and we were passed and sent to park on the airport apron next to the Antonov's. We had to go back at 4.30 to begin loading on the planes, so couldn't really go anywhere and the rest of the day was just waiting around, catching up on some email, reading, waiting, waiting, waiting. Back over at 5.30pm and they were still going, but the inspectors had managed to complete all of the competition rally cars, but not many of the Clowes Cup entrants and service crews.
It was decided all these cars would be loaded on the early Antonov to arrive in Darwin earlier and be sent to facilities there for the washing and inspection process. This throws a spanner in the works for anyone that had to go through this that has already organized to transport their car to Alice and fly down themselves … they will now probably miss this so will have to drive…..but at Nick Britain would keep saying … Not Our Problem. Well, the loading of cars started at about 6pm … what an amazing plane. Just to look at them with their stance on the runway was quite awe inspiring, but to see them in action up close was an experience.
The rear opens up as does the front of the plane and you are left with a huge tunnel type structure. There is racking inside that accommodates 3 cars wide and about 10 long, on both stories. One by one the cars fill downstairs and they then assemble the ramps for the top story. Steve was about the third last car to go on and was a little nervous as last time he couldn't quite make it up the ramp and had to be winched. Not this time however … lots of revs, into first gear and off he went … man on a mission, and just made it.
By now its 10pm and we have to be up at 4am to catch the bus over for our 7am flight to Darwin. As we walk back we stop, watch and listen to the first Antonov take off. I don't know how to describe it … like a graceful elephant with wings, gradually building speed charging down the runway … but it disappeared into the night before we actually saw much more of the liftoff.
Off to bed, seems like we just get to sleep and the phone rings, alarms are going off … its 4am and time to get up, shower and pack. A little like zombies with a routine we go through the motions and are downstairs ready for the airport. Now India is not the most organized place around, and Cochin is no exception. We line up to be processed for our boarding passes after we scan our luggage and get our 500Rupee airport tax vouchers, then I get questioned on my Visa … apparently they have a different passport number to my Visa … well ‘Not My Problem' gets me through OK. Next is the scan of cabin bags and the ‘frisking'. After this they stamp our cabin bags and boarding passes so we can then move another 10 metres to another inspector that checks we have all the stamps on our boarding pass and cabin bags, then gives us another stamp.
From here into the waiting room and about an hours wait before we board. As we go through the gate we have another inspection of our stamps to ensure we have the required amount then we can move on to the plane … oh, until we get to the gangway and yet another stamp inspection just to make sure. Finally, on board and off we go, I think everyone is quite pleased to be leaving India at this stage! Me especially as when I arrive in Darwin Danni and Indi happen to be there staying with Pete and Nige, so I get to see them … what a bonus! The cars are organized to be transported down to Alice overnight and we fly out from Darwin on the 2pm flight.
Steve will stay at the hotel and finally get a reasonable nights sleep without me snoring all night … but pity poor Danni!
