2012 – Eastern Europe and Russia

We wake up to the sound of birdsong and the ringing of church bells. It is already almost unbearably hot in the vehicle. If only there was a cool river flowing by the Editourmobil where we could go for a dip, I think to myself. But I quickly banish such thoughts

This Sunday is mainly for Felix and Rolf to sort out their schedule. A nearby garage has agreed to weld a few special parts for their project, whilst I try to glean some vital information. I get a tip from the chief mechanic which will solve our washing problem. As we

After a rapid breakfast, I find myself once more in the Creon conference room. The Creon team of Anna and Sandjar is joined today by Mr Nika Asatiani, the Deputy General Director. As we discussed yesterday basically all the important issues, this morning is devoted to an exchange of ideas and

Once again we are up and about very early, for the first appointment is at 8.30 at Plarus in Solnechnogorsk, some 15 kilometres from Europlast. Plarus, a PET recycling company, is part of the big Europlast group, so it makes sense to interview both Plarus and Europlast itself. A mere 15

When I wake up, we are already at Husky’s front door. The appointment is at 10 o’clock, so we have time for a quick coffee and breakfast. We are also awaiting the arrival of area representative, Roland Koch, along with Igor Kim from Luxembourg, who is in Moscow on business today.

It is shortly after 10 o’clock, when Svetlana Ansimova, whom we have already met up with on our visit to Alfatechform, comes over to greet us. Over a delicious coffee she shows us round the office and we discuss the latest happenings in the PET world. A little later Sergey Kozhin,

An early departure is the order of the day. Like almost every morning, if time and network availability allows, I answer emails and generally check everything is OK. In the afternoon we are supposed to be at Bericap, which still has to be arranged. A few hours later we arrive in

As we leave the city behind us, we are greeted by a sensational sunrise. Just for a moment, everywhere is peaceful, the streets deserted. It is not to last. We drive through a varied landscape of forests, tiny villages and gas production facilities. We soon find ourselves confronted by the usual

It would be difficult to underestimate our concern that evening over the immediate prospects for the remainder of the tour. On the road to Kazan we stop for a rapid breakfast which lifts our spirits a little. It was agreed with the garage that we should wait at a kilometre marker

So as not to waste any time, we are at Iveco’s front door promptly at 9 o’clock. It takes no time at all to explain the situation in Ekaterinburg with the spare part for the defective engine, and outline the problem. We are in luck, they have the part. We do

Today we are determined to get to Ekaterinburg. Ahead of us lie several hundred kilometres on possibly dodgy roads. So yet again it will be purely a driving and writing day. But the goal is within our grasp and that spurs us on. Today we will be reaching the Urals, and