The truck has gone. If I've forgotten anything it is too late now. Many commented that there doesn't seem to be much in there which sent me into a phase of increasing self doubt - Should I have put in the complete set of hoses? Do I really need a second spare tyre? Another 20l of water perhaps? I had an extra few days to pack but was still shoving things in holes until I finally rolled down the driveway. Too bad!

Paula helped with the extensive inventory list as required by customs. Inlcuding those things I was not to declare..... I'll let you geuss.

Whats in there? Lots of home goodies - Gingernuts, Spag, Minties, Pineapple Lumps. I picked up a portable winch in the last week from The Toyshop. Hopefully won't be needed but could be cheap insurance. I also had the engine management system superchipped by The Toyshop in Grey Lynn before I left. Fanstastic. I can actually pass rubbish trucks etc going up the Albany Hill! I'd say at least another 30% power. Hit 140 on the motorway the other day, although, the defender is obviously not made for such speeds as the wing mirrors both slapped shut against the side!

Top of Range in Albany did most of the preparation. There was an extensive list of work that Brett helped me work through. They have kindly leant me a number of parts to take that I can return when I get back if I don't use them. I have their number on speed dial in case I need some advice in the middle of nowhere.

I've had a few dumb questions lately from people as they see me driving around.....
" Are you delivering the car for your husband?"
" Oh  you're driving to Paris..... are you a maori?"! - Thats right - and we can drive too!
I'm sure I will get more - hehe.

Of course, George is joining me on this trip. She is starting to get excited. She once asked me "Mum. What is poverty?" She will find out soon methinks. She is hoping to drive some portion of the rally - possibly in the Gobi desert where there are no obstacles for hundreds of miles! Last time,  I let her drive on the Lahar Land Rover Trip - she stalled 3 times and we moved about 20m.

5 weeks to go. We leave for Beijing on 2 July. Hopefully my car doesn't get bumped off the ship like the last cars did. They arrived on the same day as the drivers and they could not pick them up for 3 days.
There are 3 cars on the Peking to Paris rally from our group this year. The other two cars have left already from London. They are doing the Silk Road route down to China through the Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan to China. We meet them in China for the 2 month journey back across the Asian continent.
They are Toyota Landcruisers. More comfortable I would say but just not nearly as cool!