06-08-2019, 08:47 AM
27th July
CSKA rugby club
by celebratethe7
Outstanding welcome from CSKA rugby club in Moscow! We were met by the club president, coaches, players, the children's rugby squad and 30 members of the press. The director of the breakdown assistance service PAMC was also there - he has very generously offered support for the rest of the journey through Russia.
CSKA rugby arranged the most secure parking you can imagine - underneath the stadium guarded by an army of security guards with big sticks!
We were interviewed by the journalists and then the director of CSKA rugby welcomed us to Moscow in a speech that also highlighted his vision for the club, and a development program for rugby with youngsters in Moscow.
The children then presented Chris with a signed set of photos, two club pennants and a scarf. We gave the children challenge badges, and a donation for rugby equipment.
Thank you!
There followed a short game of tag rugby, mixed age teams (!) in the stadium - a real honour for us and the children.
We then met the director of PAMC (the breakdown assistance company) and the drivers of one of their trucks - they decided to have a test run to get the Austin on to the truck! It went very smoothly, although Chris took some persuading to take the car off again when it was pointed out that the trip would only take 10 days if he stayed on there!
The stadium tour guide took us around the stadium. He showed us a T52 tank that was given to them by the military when the stadium was rebuilt. The stadium was originally a sports centre for the Red Army. They have repainted the tank using club colours!
The stadium has a new tower as part of the complex, built in the shape of a trophy, and is the tallest of all the stadiums in Europe. It is not finished inside yet, but we were given special access all the way up to the roof! What a view!
We were also shown inside the changing room for the CSKA Moscow football team - they each have a special place to change! Even the members of the press were impressed with being allowed in!
Time for tea...
And a chat! Over the most delicious tea, sitting in one of the rooms overlooking the pitch, a discussion about the development of rugby took place. Players, coaches and the director talked to us about their initiatives and aspirations - including the introduction of a rugby coaching program in schools in Moscow. They are a small club at the moment with great backing from PAMC and an advertising company called Vostok Media - Chris hopes to help create links with UK coaches and clubs.
We said goodbye to the press, and much to our surprise were then taken to the very very nice restaurant Balzi Rossi which is located on the ground floor of an iconic apartment block. The apartments were given to favoured pilots by the state (they are privately owned now). We were treated to the most incredible meal!
Thank you so much to everyone at CSKA rugby club and PAMC for an unforgettable day!
A note about Tver..
by celebratethe7
Mikhail and Maria, who are our kind friends in Tver (introduced by Mr Sputnik, Ilya) were tour guides in the historic city of Tver. Thank you so much for giving up your precious time.
The eternal flame in memory of the brave fallen of both wars is accompanied by the sound of a heartbeat and classical Russian music. Really very emotional.
Whilst you all thought this was an unsupported Austin adventure, we now introduce the red bull sponsored 1,150 hp support vehicle. Wishful thinking!!
Tver has a great history as the capital of a medieval state. Founded in 1135, where the river Tmaka joins the Volga, it was the capital of Rus. It was sacked in 1238 by the Mongol Tartar regime and then again in in 1612 by the Polish Lithuanian interventionists. Tver became the location of one of the royal palaces on the road from Moscow to St Petersburg and is now an iconic building and church.
Prime parking space at the Hotel Tver! A highly recommended stop over, only about £40 breakfast included. Fabulous!
30th July
Leg 1 complete!
by celebratethe7
Sheremetyevo airport at 5.00am
The first leg of the challenge was completed when Helen and Arthur flew out of Moscow. Chris drives for the next two weeks with Ilya as his co-pilot. They have some long days ahead of them because of the change of schedule that we made so that we could join the GUM rally in Moscow - it meant we lost two days on the road.
The photos of the GUM rally are coming soon. We even made it on to the top Russian television station 1TV!
The GUM rally!
by celebratethe7
The GUM rally is named after the most exclusive department store. It basically lines one side of Red Square, opposite the Kremlin.
GUM department store
GUM in Cyrillic
This has to have been the most outstanding day in the history of Austin Sevens in Russia! We arrived at Red Square in order to check in for the rally, and the police man at the security point took one look at the car and said, "Hello Mr Bond"! We had been assigned race number 007. What else. We were given pride of place, the car closest to Lenin's tomb.
View of GUM rally 2019
Queue for Lenin's tomb
Collection of the GUM rally bag, including stickers for the car, and wrist bands giving access to a GUM breakfast and ice cream!
There then followed something of a media free for all, members of the public...
And then the interviews!
Moscow 24 TV station
This is the link to the coverage by 1TV station:
//www.1tv.ru/shows/dobroe-utro/mezhdu-tem/gum-avtoralli-dobroe-utro-fragment-vypuska-ot-29-07-2019
This is all thanks to the PAMC (Russian roadside assistance) and their connection with CSKA rugby in Moscow - PAMC support both the rugby and the GUM rally. They also now support the challenge team for the Russian leg of the journey!
Just after we were called to the start line, the map and driving instructions were handed over. Each car has a slightly different route (to prevent cheating) and a series of check points to get to.
Approaching the start...
Then, with a great introduction from the compere, and with much applause, the checkered flag lifted and we were off!
"Start" in Russian
Great introduction!
We set off with the intention of winning something.
Portent - overtaken just metres after the start line!
Unfortunately, the race instructions were in km and m. The car has a milometer. So it was with a great deal of luck that we managed to find two of the control points, even more so that we were in time for a very stately lunch!
Lunch
We did actually finally reach the finishing arch! We were treated to a competitor's and sponsor's lavish dinner on the banks of the river Moscva.
The future of eccentric British Adventurer Chris Blakey's ambition attempt to cross Siberia in a vintage Austin Seven Car was thrown into doubt tonight when he was committed to a private Russian hospital in the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. In this exclusive interview with Russian Ilya Zlotnikov, Chris reveals the circumstances the led to police intervention to send him to this hospital. This disturbing development followed only 2 days after he competed in the GUM vintage car rally from Moscow's Red Square. It is hoped that there will be no need to seek the involvement of the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
https://youtu.be/vFc6BtbXBjM
British Adventurer in Private Russian Hospital Scare
by celebratethe7
31st July
Chris was desperate to change the oil now that the rebuilt engine has done 1000 miles. He had been trying to find a suitable place to do it, and to dispose of the old oil, but with the whirlwind of hospitality it proved impossible! So he and Ilya stopped at a garage on the outskirts of Moscow to enlist their help.
As we are coming to realise, Russians have a great interest in the car and the challenge - the mechanics changed the engine and gearbox oil, and when the head office of the franchise heard about us refused to take any payment and also offered support in the future.
The power of the media!
by celebratethe7
So, the former doctor for the Russian rugby team, and the sevens, heard about us on Russian media. He's travelling from Kazan (he's now with the ice hockey team) and decided to look out for the car. By chance he saw it when Chris and Ilya had pulled over for a break!
You can imagine that they were a little apprehensive when pulled over by this police officer. It turns out that he wanted to look at the car and practise his English!
Later that day they were stopped again. This time there was a proper check of the car's papers, all in order thankfully!
Here Comes the Sun
by celebratethe7
The Babushka Effect
Everywhere Chris goes with his beloved Austin Seven, he is overwhelmed with goodwill and interest. This shows some of his recent encounters as he journeys on from Moscow.
Young drivers in Red Square
Moscow Red Square and GUM Car Rally Party This video captures the bells and the atmosphere in Moscow’s Red Square and features the Kremlin, Lenin’s Tomb, St Basil’s Cathedral and the GUM building which now houses many modern shops with international brands. The video concludes with some extracts from the party held after the GUM vintage car rally.
The bells in Red Square
Moscow to Vladimir Clips Some short clips taken of Chris and Ilya on the journey from Moscow to Vladimir. This video features and previously unreleased video of Chris singing “Here comes the Sun”. It may come as a surprise to some viewers that Chris was once the head choir boy at St Botolphs Church in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Riding with Illya to Vladimir
Another Chance Meeting One of the surprise visitors to Chris’s journey was the former Doctor to the Russian Rugby Team. This selection of video clips contains some clips without audio.
Fancy seeing you here!!
Vizhniy Novgorod Clips A couple of video clips of Vizhniy Novgorod and its river setting.
Vizhniy
From Dmitri with Love Chris has had many serendipitous meetings connected with the Trans-Siberian Challenge. One of these was to be introduced to Dmitri, owner of a private hospital in Vizhniy Novgorod. In this video Chris chats to Dmitri about their shared interest in vintage cars before have a meal together. The video concludes with Chris relaxing in a massage chair in Dmitri’s hospital where he stayed for one night of his journey.
Classic Cars side by side with Dmitri and his Chevrolet
CSKA rugby club
by celebratethe7
Outstanding welcome from CSKA rugby club in Moscow! We were met by the club president, coaches, players, the children's rugby squad and 30 members of the press. The director of the breakdown assistance service PAMC was also there - he has very generously offered support for the rest of the journey through Russia.
CSKA rugby arranged the most secure parking you can imagine - underneath the stadium guarded by an army of security guards with big sticks!
We were interviewed by the journalists and then the director of CSKA rugby welcomed us to Moscow in a speech that also highlighted his vision for the club, and a development program for rugby with youngsters in Moscow.
The children then presented Chris with a signed set of photos, two club pennants and a scarf. We gave the children challenge badges, and a donation for rugby equipment.
Thank you!
There followed a short game of tag rugby, mixed age teams (!) in the stadium - a real honour for us and the children.
We then met the director of PAMC (the breakdown assistance company) and the drivers of one of their trucks - they decided to have a test run to get the Austin on to the truck! It went very smoothly, although Chris took some persuading to take the car off again when it was pointed out that the trip would only take 10 days if he stayed on there!
The stadium tour guide took us around the stadium. He showed us a T52 tank that was given to them by the military when the stadium was rebuilt. The stadium was originally a sports centre for the Red Army. They have repainted the tank using club colours!
The stadium has a new tower as part of the complex, built in the shape of a trophy, and is the tallest of all the stadiums in Europe. It is not finished inside yet, but we were given special access all the way up to the roof! What a view!
We were also shown inside the changing room for the CSKA Moscow football team - they each have a special place to change! Even the members of the press were impressed with being allowed in!
Time for tea...
And a chat! Over the most delicious tea, sitting in one of the rooms overlooking the pitch, a discussion about the development of rugby took place. Players, coaches and the director talked to us about their initiatives and aspirations - including the introduction of a rugby coaching program in schools in Moscow. They are a small club at the moment with great backing from PAMC and an advertising company called Vostok Media - Chris hopes to help create links with UK coaches and clubs.
We said goodbye to the press, and much to our surprise were then taken to the very very nice restaurant Balzi Rossi which is located on the ground floor of an iconic apartment block. The apartments were given to favoured pilots by the state (they are privately owned now). We were treated to the most incredible meal!
Thank you so much to everyone at CSKA rugby club and PAMC for an unforgettable day!
A note about Tver..
by celebratethe7
Mikhail and Maria, who are our kind friends in Tver (introduced by Mr Sputnik, Ilya) were tour guides in the historic city of Tver. Thank you so much for giving up your precious time.
The eternal flame in memory of the brave fallen of both wars is accompanied by the sound of a heartbeat and classical Russian music. Really very emotional.
Whilst you all thought this was an unsupported Austin adventure, we now introduce the red bull sponsored 1,150 hp support vehicle. Wishful thinking!!
Tver has a great history as the capital of a medieval state. Founded in 1135, where the river Tmaka joins the Volga, it was the capital of Rus. It was sacked in 1238 by the Mongol Tartar regime and then again in in 1612 by the Polish Lithuanian interventionists. Tver became the location of one of the royal palaces on the road from Moscow to St Petersburg and is now an iconic building and church.
Prime parking space at the Hotel Tver! A highly recommended stop over, only about £40 breakfast included. Fabulous!
30th July
Leg 1 complete!
by celebratethe7
Sheremetyevo airport at 5.00am
The first leg of the challenge was completed when Helen and Arthur flew out of Moscow. Chris drives for the next two weeks with Ilya as his co-pilot. They have some long days ahead of them because of the change of schedule that we made so that we could join the GUM rally in Moscow - it meant we lost two days on the road.
The photos of the GUM rally are coming soon. We even made it on to the top Russian television station 1TV!
The GUM rally!
by celebratethe7
The GUM rally is named after the most exclusive department store. It basically lines one side of Red Square, opposite the Kremlin.
GUM department store
GUM in Cyrillic
This has to have been the most outstanding day in the history of Austin Sevens in Russia! We arrived at Red Square in order to check in for the rally, and the police man at the security point took one look at the car and said, "Hello Mr Bond"! We had been assigned race number 007. What else. We were given pride of place, the car closest to Lenin's tomb.
View of GUM rally 2019
Queue for Lenin's tomb
Collection of the GUM rally bag, including stickers for the car, and wrist bands giving access to a GUM breakfast and ice cream!
There then followed something of a media free for all, members of the public...
And then the interviews!
Moscow 24 TV station
This is the link to the coverage by 1TV station:
//www.1tv.ru/shows/dobroe-utro/mezhdu-tem/gum-avtoralli-dobroe-utro-fragment-vypuska-ot-29-07-2019
This is all thanks to the PAMC (Russian roadside assistance) and their connection with CSKA rugby in Moscow - PAMC support both the rugby and the GUM rally. They also now support the challenge team for the Russian leg of the journey!
Just after we were called to the start line, the map and driving instructions were handed over. Each car has a slightly different route (to prevent cheating) and a series of check points to get to.
Approaching the start...
Then, with a great introduction from the compere, and with much applause, the checkered flag lifted and we were off!
"Start" in Russian
Great introduction!
We set off with the intention of winning something.
Portent - overtaken just metres after the start line!
Unfortunately, the race instructions were in km and m. The car has a milometer. So it was with a great deal of luck that we managed to find two of the control points, even more so that we were in time for a very stately lunch!
Lunch
We did actually finally reach the finishing arch! We were treated to a competitor's and sponsor's lavish dinner on the banks of the river Moscva.
The future of eccentric British Adventurer Chris Blakey's ambition attempt to cross Siberia in a vintage Austin Seven Car was thrown into doubt tonight when he was committed to a private Russian hospital in the city of Nizhniy Novgorod. In this exclusive interview with Russian Ilya Zlotnikov, Chris reveals the circumstances the led to police intervention to send him to this hospital. This disturbing development followed only 2 days after he competed in the GUM vintage car rally from Moscow's Red Square. It is hoped that there will be no need to seek the involvement of the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
https://youtu.be/vFc6BtbXBjM
British Adventurer in Private Russian Hospital Scare
by celebratethe7
31st July
Chris was desperate to change the oil now that the rebuilt engine has done 1000 miles. He had been trying to find a suitable place to do it, and to dispose of the old oil, but with the whirlwind of hospitality it proved impossible! So he and Ilya stopped at a garage on the outskirts of Moscow to enlist their help.
As we are coming to realise, Russians have a great interest in the car and the challenge - the mechanics changed the engine and gearbox oil, and when the head office of the franchise heard about us refused to take any payment and also offered support in the future.
The power of the media!
by celebratethe7
So, the former doctor for the Russian rugby team, and the sevens, heard about us on Russian media. He's travelling from Kazan (he's now with the ice hockey team) and decided to look out for the car. By chance he saw it when Chris and Ilya had pulled over for a break!
You can imagine that they were a little apprehensive when pulled over by this police officer. It turns out that he wanted to look at the car and practise his English!
Later that day they were stopped again. This time there was a proper check of the car's papers, all in order thankfully!
Here Comes the Sun
by celebratethe7
The Babushka Effect
Everywhere Chris goes with his beloved Austin Seven, he is overwhelmed with goodwill and interest. This shows some of his recent encounters as he journeys on from Moscow.
Young drivers in Red Square
Moscow Red Square and GUM Car Rally Party This video captures the bells and the atmosphere in Moscow’s Red Square and features the Kremlin, Lenin’s Tomb, St Basil’s Cathedral and the GUM building which now houses many modern shops with international brands. The video concludes with some extracts from the party held after the GUM vintage car rally.
The bells in Red Square
Moscow to Vladimir Clips Some short clips taken of Chris and Ilya on the journey from Moscow to Vladimir. This video features and previously unreleased video of Chris singing “Here comes the Sun”. It may come as a surprise to some viewers that Chris was once the head choir boy at St Botolphs Church in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Riding with Illya to Vladimir
Another Chance Meeting One of the surprise visitors to Chris’s journey was the former Doctor to the Russian Rugby Team. This selection of video clips contains some clips without audio.
Fancy seeing you here!!
Vizhniy Novgorod Clips A couple of video clips of Vizhniy Novgorod and its river setting.
Vizhniy
From Dmitri with Love Chris has had many serendipitous meetings connected with the Trans-Siberian Challenge. One of these was to be introduced to Dmitri, owner of a private hospital in Vizhniy Novgorod. In this video Chris chats to Dmitri about their shared interest in vintage cars before have a meal together. The video concludes with Chris relaxing in a massage chair in Dmitri’s hospital where he stayed for one night of his journey.
Classic Cars side by side with Dmitri and his Chevrolet