From Delhi to Dublin: Final Score

Stage 7: Hamadan to Orumiyeh
Day 1: 86.8km Qorveh
Day 2: 92.8km Bijar
Day 3: 89.1km Takab
Day 5: Rest Day
Day 6: Bus to Orumiyeh (about 300km)

I woke up on the morning of Monday 25th February at the normal time of 6am. I ate my breakfast while staring out the window at the darkness beyond. In the 10min between finishing eating and being ready to leave, the snow had begun to fall.

I'd seen news reports that 3 days of snow were approaching, but had chosen not to believe them. An optimism had begun to settle that I would actually make it to the border, and I did not want to lose it. With only 5 days remaining on my visa, and a 4day cycle to the border, I needed conditions to be perfect. Faced with the harsh reality I decided, once again, to catch a bus.

The previous 3 days had been good. I'd started carrying my water bottles in my panniers, and stones in my pockets. The first is easily explained by the picture; it's a frozen river (I dropped a rock on one river from a bridge about 8m above [because that's the kind of thing I like doing] and it didn't even break the ice)! The second was for the dogs.

Luckily, nygmy bear-dogs did not make a return appearance. My only altercation with them was for one to lift its head from the carcass of a dead animal that 3 of them were devouring to bark at me from about 50m away; though it was still enough to install the fear of god in me! No, the stones were for ordinary, boring dogs. I was struggling uphill as the first band of 3 ran at me. I decided to be meek and mild and slowed down as they circled me, barking and growling while I shat myself. Eventually, a young boy emerged from the house and called them away with the help of a big stick. 2km down the road, 3 more came running. This time I decided to be a man, so reached down, picked up some rocks and started hurling them at my would-be attackers (while calling them names). It worked wonders, and the beasts remained at a safe distance (Dad will be so proud).

My knee, with the help of an elasticated support, has finally stopped giving problems. The terrain was rolling hills, with mucho up and mucho down, but the pain has gone (which is always good). Thank-you to everyone who offered help and advice.

So now I'm in the town of Orumiyeh, 54km from the border. It's still snowing, but I hope it to clear in the next couple of days. Now, all that is left for me to do is to try to acquire a map and ascertain the areas where the Turkish Army have decided to conduct "operations".

Final score:

Iranian Weather 17-12 Kieran, Sicander and Mr Stick
(It's a rugby score, and I at least get a bonus point)

Shadow Me

I wasn't tempted

Takht-e-Soleyman. A Zoroastrian site in the mountains near Takeb dating from 1500BC. I got to see the fire temple this time round, but felt a bit cheated because there was nothing but snow!