Day 184 - Kuchino to Perm - Mon 26 Aug

Day 184 - Kuchino to Perm - Mon 26 Aug
Cold overnight, condensation had to be wiped off indoor vinyl window screens, and turned on cabin heater for 5 mins to do windows. BoyRob washed Ozzie with river water before departing for Perm with our mates.

Ahh – a dramatic change in plans. We heard this morning that BoyRob’s mother has been placed into palliative care in Melbourne and is not expected to last much more than a few days. Fortunately we are travelling with Marina who has been instrumental in translating through all the arrangements this afternoon to get us back to Australia within the next 30-36 hours to say our farewells. Miles hailed a police car once we got to Perm and the two officers went above and beyond all expectations. They tracked down the right people in Customs for approval for us to depart Russia whilst leaving the vehicle parked up temporarily in their impound yard - we would otherwise have had a great deal of difficulty getting such a neat solution to the perception that we had abandoned our vehicle in their country without paying import duty. The officers didn't stop there however. So that we didn't get lost or lose time, they drove us to two different travel agencies until we had secured the fastest straight-through itinerary back to Australia on connecting planes via Moscow and Dubai. The officers couldn't have been more helpful, even making sure a taxi was booked to take us to the airport before they went back to work. We took Marinas advice that it was appropriate to thank them with a letter of commendation to their commanding officer (and maybe a bottle of Scotch).

Fortunately we had three hours to pack and ready vehicle to be left for a few weeks without power - enough time to rinse, wring and hang clothes from washing barrel, empty fridge and freezer and give some contents to Miles and Marina and some to guard on impound yard, empty toilet cassette, and secure valuables. If all goes as expected one or both of us will be back in Russia in under three weeks to drive to Turkey to store up for the winter until 2014. Guess we knew this day would come whilst we were away, but it doesn't make it any easier.