We explored the Larch forest a little this morning noting that there were some really big Ovoo (places that the Mongolians adorn with blue ribbons. From the LonelyPlanet Guide "sharmanist collection of stones, wood or other offerings to the gods usually found in high places"). The cool morning, light overnight rain, sandy soil and beautiful old Larch trees made for a very pleasant environment.

Just before setting off I noticed a little bit of wetness on the ground under the engine so it was with some nervousness that we started our days journey. We were to return about 40km along that good sealed road in the direction of Tsetserleg to the Khanui Gol (Khanui River) and then follow a track north for maybe 300 km to the town of Moron (sometimes spelled Meren). In Tsetserleg we had been given a GPS track for our proposed route by Murray Benn the owner of the FAIRField Guesthouse and we would not have attempted this route without that GPS track.

So traveling the track is how we spent the day - picking our way through a myriad of wheel tracks, passing through this incredibly wide and green river valley, really experiencing the Mongolia Steppes. Interestingly we were not alone on this track. Scattered Ger camps together with their herds and herdsmen were a regular feature of the, landscape as were locals on small motor bikes. We passed a couple of dozen other vehicles during the day, mostly small cars or small trucks carrying horses, but also minibuses, a selection of delivery trucks and one large fuel tanker and trailer (equal in size to a US fuel delivery truck). So again, while this track might be primitive in its condition it is an essential piece of infrastructure for the way of life.

An observation about the "small truck" - small Asian trucks (Kia, Hyundai, Toyota) seem to be the vehicle of choice here for the herders (that can afford anything bigger than a motorcycle). These are smaller than any truck one will see in the US - with small 4 cylinder diesel engines. The drivers load up these little work vehicles with all their belongings including the Ger, or as many as 4 horses, or maybe a broken down car. In keeping with the blue theme of those local monuments the vast majority of these trucks are blue.

Late in the afternoon as the valley narrowed and the road passed close by the Khanui River we found a flat spot on the bank only a few yards from the river. Ahead we could see tomorrows route, climb out of the river valley and head north east.

Inspections during the day revealed no more coolant leaks and the coolant level seemed to be maintained, so I hope that signals the leak is fixed.

Incidentally the 300 km to Moron we think will take us 3 days - today we consistently averaged only 20km/hour on this track.