Nick Carter arrived Mosul last night with a Telex to say my missing pallet is probably on his truck. When we looked we couldn’t see it because his load was a mess. We must hope it is . Quite a long queue at the border. Arrived at 2pm. Hope to be home about the 27th if possible. Depends on backload instructions. 8hrs in queue.
Parked up: Cizre, TR.
Went to Talaffar this morning and checked their cargo. The missing pallet is not here and they very kindly wrote a letter to this effect. Must be in the UK. Returned to Mosul. It is a waiting day today. Customs closed so cannot collect my passport until tomorrow. Then I shall be homeward bound at last. It seems a long trip this time.
Parked up: Mosul, IRQ.
Up at 0630hrs. Tried for diesel but NONE at Haswa , must try at Tikrit. Unloaded at 0900hrs Hyundia said he would Telex Astran about missing pallet. Hope there is no problem with customs, they have my passport! Got 200 litres at Tikrit but very long queue. Arrived at Mosul at 2000hrs. I am going to check Talaffar tomorrow to see if missing pallet is there.
Parked up: Mosul, IRQ.
Arrived back at Mosul at 0330hrs, very tired! Up at 0900hrs. Dave Poulton stopped, said he would inform Astran that one pallet is not onboard. Tipped in Mosul customs by 1200hrs and departed for Baghdad. Managed to tip Fulujah Camp at 2040hrs and then parked at main Baghdad customs. Lots of English trucks waiting to unload. I declined their whiskey!!!
Parked up: Fulujah, IRQ.
Up at 0630hrs. Hyundia Agent & Som Dat arrived at 1000hrs. Clear at 1200hrs but must unload at Talafar first. This agent difficult. Load must go to Eski Mosul 79km from Mosul. It’s an Indian site, arrived at 1500hrs no labour available (typical). Unload at 0130hrs. Checked there goods but difficult because all pallets unloaded by hand. They have 15 pallets plus the loose packets. No Hyundia seen.
Parked up: Mosul, IRQ.
Up all night blocked in car park by drivers who had gone to sleep. Managed to get out by 0730hrs. So it was not so long after I jumped the queue! Arrived Mosul at 1030hrs and went straight to customs. I must wait to unload 12 pieces in customs warehouse. Washed cab out and replaced light on night heater. Tony came past at 1600hrs en route to Saudi Arabia.
Parked up: Mosul, IRQ.
Depart at 0700hrs, stopped for breakfast at 1000hrs and stopped again at 1300hrs for repairs to tyre. Had to buy new inner tube. Frank Hook passed on the way home. Road from Urfa is now very bad again due to heavy traffic and rain. Arrived Habur at 1830hrs very long queue. Looks like a long night ahead!
Parked up: Habur/Zakho, IRQ.
Left again at 0530hrs nice warm morning. Stopped in Tarsus mountains for breakfast. Arrived Adana telex home to Bob Paul. Met Trevor Long going home. Left at 1530hrs. Repaired puncture and arrived Birecek at 2115hrs.
Parked up: Birecek, TR.
Wednesday 08/02/1984
Crossed into Greece but cannot make it to the border before it closes, so a nice quiet run down. Stop at Kavala for eats and again at Port Lagos for nice fish meal. 1000 Drachs and then on to the border. Arrived at midnight.
Parked up: Ipsala, TR.
Thursday 09/02/1984
Cleared for transit at 1100hrs and proceeded to Istanbul. Dropped of a couple of hikers and then onto Tuzla. Brake drums overheating so stop for half hour. Reached Düzce where I am parking for the night at 2045hrs. In company with Tony Soameson. Good weather, dry and warm. Some rain earlier.
Parked up: Düzce, TR.
Friday 10/02/1984
Left Düzce at 0530hrs and stopped Ankara. Did washing and had a Turkish bath. Telex Astran about problems in Graz and then proceeded to Askaray. Nice sunny day and looks like getting warmer.
Parked up: Askaray, TR.
Sunday 05/02/1984
Late getting up 0930hrs. Cleaned cabin and did various other jobs. Had a shower and washed some clothes. Tried trailers on 2nd pin but to close to cabin. Had dinner at 1830hrs and then went to bed at 2100hrs. Can drive in 1 hours time, temp +2’C so there shouldn’t be too much black ice. I hope!!
Parked up: Liezen, A.
Monday 06/02/1984
Had repairs done by Scania Graz and then carried on to Yugoslavia with Tony. He is running much quicker than me because my speedo is reading about 7km high, needs calibrating. Road very bad and trailer is “whipping”. I parked near Ruma but Tony has gone on.
Parked up: Ruma, YU.
Tuesday 07/02/1984
Departed Ruma at 0600hrs can’t see any point in working day and night when Astran don’t appreciate it, they only want more. Stop to see if I can help John Paxton 1130hrs, caught Tony again. Stop Nis for washing / eat. Crossed into Bulgaria and drove until midnight. That seems to much for me but Tony must make it to Riyhad in 14 days or loose money.
Parked up: Nr Bulgarian / Greek Border, BG.
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