Our passports and visas are back in the country even if we haven't actually got them yet. They're still with DHL and are due to be delivered on Wednesday.
The taxi has been in the garage since last Tuesday. We've had to replace the rear brake cylinders, drums and shoes. Just been told we won't get it back 'til Wednesday morning which is very frustrating as we still have 1001 things to do.

The rally organisers have emailed to congratulate us on our choice of vehicle and ask us if we'd take part in the pre-rally press launch. ( in appropriate costume to go with the cab... cor blimey Mary Poppins )
They also want to do a brief feature on the cab for the Travel Channel. Apparently Brad and Angelina weren't available. Fame at last !

Latest and most worrying panic is the visa application for Mali and Mauritania.
No Visas - No Rally!!
The applications are being co-ordinated in Budapest ( no consulates in the UK ).
The rally office had lots of problems with putting the computer generated forms on the website and consequently we only now have until the 20th November to get the completed applications and our passports to Budapest.
Even thought of getting a cheap flight to Budapest and taking them personally but no cheap flights from the North West.
The Post Office can't guarentee delivery so we will have to send by DHL.
This costs £60 to Hungary and £80 back. I've asked (begged again) a very nice lady in their marketing department if they can help.

We had our fifteen minutes of fame on Radio Lancashire (thanks to Ted Robbins).
Brian Keenan (the Beirut hostage) was the next guest on after us so I couldn't use my "fat people are hard to kidnap" line.
As a direct result of of our radio appleal we have had donations of handtools and the offer of a cultivator.
Finally got a copy of the Rally Rule Book in English, complete with a list of mandatory equipment.
Anyone got a couple of sand ladders lying around in their shed?
Not only does the cab have to pass a road test in Hungary, we apparently have to passs an exam as well ??!!??

We've replaced most of the supension and had a new clutch fitted.
Fitted new glow plugs and the cab now starts first time (hurrah).
Fred Coupe Nissan have very kindly checked out the engine and declared it okay (phew!)
Just Nissan of Farnworth have donated a boxful of parts which would have cost us a fo...rtune to buy.
Customfit signs have produced and fitted the first advertising decals.
Puncturesafe are going to treat the tyres for us so we won't get punctures
Still negotiating with (begging) companies for a new battery and a couple of landrover type tyres to us on the drive wheels in the desert.