We have a second pass to come, the Tor-Ashuu at 3600 metres when from the top in the dark, we will attempt to erect the satellite and send you today's experience. Last night we said to say Good bye to Bahadir, his son Alisher and Matluba. Having crossed the border with us to Osh, they turned round and headed back to Uzbekistan. Out two drivers are friendly and helpful but we have been on the road for 17 days with Bahadir and his gruff manner has grown on us. As the mountains close around us, the valley is the greenest so far.
Agriculture stretches to the horizon, orchards and fields of sweetcorn.
Nomadmobile 2 has all the comfort necessary for a quick trip to the seaside on a cool Easter day in England. This is Central Asia in August, the seats grind your bum and you sweat a pound for every mile. Some of the team rushing to get the story to you Three time zones in one hour, as we cross briefly back into Uzbekistan and then back again into Kyrgyzstan. Even on the foothills of the mountains dreary Soviet style apartment blocks spring up like bloated fungus. Kyrgyzstan is different.