Odyssey Overland 2011 London to Australia: A quick missive from Chengdu

Hiya there, so what news? Here all good. Just a quick update and a few photos. I have sent the memory stick round the group so hope to get some better shots to show you of our adventures in the next post.

What a joy our drive from Xi'an to here, Chengdu. Expressway all the way. The early start proved excellent, out before Xi'an had a chance to put a bus or car out on the road in front of us and with some great map reading by George we were tucked up and in another room party, celebration of Denis becoming a gramps, by 7pm, RESULT. George’s wife and daughter then joined us for a top feed and a few more bevies before we hit the sack. Up early this morning we caught a bus up to the Panda breeding centre just out of town. Brilliant, saw giant pandas and red pandas in a very nice bamboo themed setting, as well as having a top coffee and a very relaxed walk, all before 10am! Back into town saw us meet Jason, our China agent and good friend of mine. Needless to say a bit of a lunchtime banquet ensued, the beer flowed and some top spicy fare was eaten, including chicken, duck and rabbit. The snake was a step too far! The truck was then given a bit of a once over and I am still getting ready to do the bookings for S E Asia...excuses are starting to run out, get on with it CJ.

So that is it, as soon as I get some good shots, thanks Wendy et al, I will punt them up, but here are a few for now. Let me end by saying hi to a couple of people. Mrs. Allen, trust me both Jim and I are behaving ourselves, not well maybe but we are behaving. And Paul, our thoughts are with you and sorry to hear that you are not coming back out, family always wins. Keep us in the loop and trust the blog will keep you up to date with our antics out here. Laters, CJ out.