Owen and i camped last night in a forest next to the trans siberian railway which is difficult to sleep with its loud horn and rail clatter, I’m not sure what is worse the train or the huge mosquitoes and biting flies i have been told to watch out for bears further east too but i am normally too tired to think about all of that and concentrate on keeping clean putting up camp and cooking and putting away its a routine that you get into and your vehicle becomes your land yacht and you are the captain if you don’t keep it in order then it won’t keep you in order.

We packed up and got on the road in good time i took the lead for a few hours and i could see owen wanted to do more speed so he went ahead after we had a tea break, i found his pace was a little too much for my vehicle and i again took the lead after lunch, On the outskirts of a small village we saw two German 650 cc GS BMW’s and we stopped to chat to them, they were making their way into Mongolia too then across to Vladivostock and then to Korea we exchanged information and emails and we began our last leg into Irkutsk city. I led the way into Irkutsk and followed a map from the lonely planet book which was to take us to a youth hostel called The Baikler after lake Baikal and we had decided to go their to meet some other travelers that had been on the trans siberian rail route. We eventually arrived at the hostel in the center of Irkutsk and we were able to park our vehicles at the back of the hostel which is in a lock of old Russian flat and is on the 3rd floor. A warm welcome greeted us Mr Sheremov who had owned the hostel for nearly ten years, he had seen the demand in the market for such a hostel for europeans and they wanted western style comfort and thats what he set about doing, he now has a very successful business and also arranges home stays around the Irkutsk area and tours. Not many people arrive by car like we have and for me i am fascinated by meeting all the backpackers and the chance to have a bath and wash my clothes and internet is complete luxury, being on the road for several weeks and you really start to appreciate the most basic of needs.

Owen and I get unpacked and i help him sort out the gear in is vehicle, go out and relax on the town before having a really good nights sleep.