Report 3 – 6 July

By Trudy

The days in Dusjanbe!!!!

Yesterday afternoon we returned to Dusjanbe after our adventurous and special trip on the Pamir Highway with Dirk-jan and Danny. Tom and Tim arrived early in the morning and we are happy to see them. They are there, but their luggage is not. They are still looking for that.

The Model T is taken from its holiday spot and Danny and Dirk prepare it for departure.

Dirk-jan is already writing a report about his experiences on this part of the trip.

During the Model T check, Dirk and Danny see that the right rear wheel has a lot of play.

The wheel has to come off. That was quite a job, but it was done.

We looked for a work spot in the shade, because it is 38 degrees in the afternoon.

After research and proper installation, the Model T is made ready to drive.

In the evening, we have a farewell dinner with our old team and a welcome drink with our new team on the same terrace where we also had our dinner with Ger and Wim. Top Place!

Thank you Dirk-jan and Danny and good luck Tom and Tim.

The next day the LandRover is washed and cleared away. The search for the suitcase continues and Tim and Tom decide to buy some clothes and slippers and then leave without suitcases tomorrow.

Then it is July 5. The day of departure. We put the stickers of this new tracking team on the clean LandRover and Dirk hands over the keys to Tim and Ton. Yes, we’re on our way.

Nice driving. Even if it only lasted a very short time. Dirk was unable to get the Ford T to move at the second traffic light. With Tim I pushed the Model T to the side and around the bend. Dirk investigates where the problem is.

We are lucky that we are standing in front of a workshop and together we push the Model T there.

After asking if we can work here, preferably in the shade, a garage is opened for us and emptied. We can tinker there.

Dirk discovers that the right rear axle is broken. That will be a major operation. We have a place and Dirk starts working in good spirits in the garage with the grease pit and the men offer all the help they can. Arrive with wood and stones to raise the Model T to remove the rear axle.

In the evening we go to a hotel where Ton and Tim have arranged rooms.

The next morning we go back to the garage and put in the new axle (which fortunately we had with us and which we did not lose along the way). We have good assistants and the gimbal is not damaged.

After hours of work, the rear axle is back together. Now he still has to go under. That just won’t work. The men at the workshop want to assemble it in a different way. Then the drive shaft has to be removed again. That’s how it worked.

He’s under it again. The men said: Easy Job! And kept laughing. What great help.

Tomorrow Dirk wants to finish the work on the Model T.