A bit of a wild night last night. While Nami and the horse guide were away at their social activity two teepees down, all hell broke loose outside my tent. The dogs were all barking here and in the distance and some animal was scratching at the teepee door.

I buried my head under my 2 sleeping bags and duvet contemplating my plan of action and the only thing I could think of was to pick up one of the floorboards to whack it with should it come in.

My heart was pounding and my ears were straining to hear what was going on outside. I must admit I hoped Nami would come back soon.

Nami and her chaperone returned to the teepee in the wee small hours and I pretended to be aleep.

The horse guide adored Nami. I knew this as I had watched him flirting with her throughout our long journey to the reindeer camp and now they were back in the teepee in the quiet of the night, he began to express his feelings.

I had spoken to Nami about his intensions as I wondered if she felt the same way. He was a very handsome boy with huge dimples in his cheeks when he smiled – and he smiled often 🥰. Unfortunately Nami wasn’t attracted to him in that sort of way as her priority at this time was her education – I thought at least she might have a wee holiday romance, but it wasn’t to be.

I pretended to be asleep and listened as he whispered softly trying to get her to change her mind.

They whispered in mongolia and I didn’t understand a word of what was being said but the gentle tone of his voice and romantic accent was enough to convey his intentions.

I don’t know how Nami resisted, he would have had me after the first sentence. I listened for long while, using my imagination to interpret the conversation – it was like being at the cinema, listening to a love story in the dark.

After a while the wooing stopped and he gave up and I drifted off to sleep with my imagination full of romantic scenarios!

At 06:30, I was woken by the dogs having a bit of a tiff right outside the teepee.

Needing to visit the forest, I donned my puff jacket and boots to brave the cold.

It quickly became apparent why the dogs were arguing. One of the bitches was in heat and the male dogs were full of testosterone!!

What a wonderful surprise, it was snowing this morning, what a fitting way to end this incredible journey ⛄️

Packing up and heading home, it’ll take another 5 days to reach Scotland so it’s not all doom and gloom, it’s not over yet.

It was a very scary horse ride back through Khogrog river valley to pick up the 4×4. We went through deep bogs and thick marshland. At one point I asked to get off the horse as the only way to get across the deep stream was to jump and there was a fair chance my horse and I would part company.

Almost 2 hours later we arrived at the pick up point and I can’t deny I was a bit relieved. It was getting cold, the clouds were piling up and my jelly pants had no cushioning left to give – all jellied out.

The horse guide had organised for the 4×4 to come further into the tiara to where we were first dropped off. This meant our return ride was 4 hours shorter than our outbound ride.

He gave the excuse that the horses were exhausted but I think the real reason was the thought of riding another 4 hours at my deathly pace was excruciatingly painful – can’t blame him really!

Our rescue vehicle arrived and as well as our driver, the host from the guesthouse was also there. He came out and gave me such a big smile and hug asking Nami if I was ok and was the horse journey difficult. I got the impression that my lack of horse riding skills had been the topic of conversation. I laughed and explained that I was fine and had enjoyed the ride not elaborating on the near death experience 🫣

We said our goodbyes to the horse guide and I thanked him for his patience because, should I have been able to ride, I’m sure the outward journey would only have taken half the time.

As we continued our journey by car we diverted to allow me to pop in to see the small boy who I gave the snicker bar to. I wanted to give him a colouring book, paints and skipping ropes etc. Unfortunately he wasn’t in so I left the gifts with his mum.

She wanted us to stay for tea and cake etc but there was no time, there was a long journey ahead of us.

Heaven knows why it took us 6 hrs to get to the Reindeer camp by horse for we were back in Tsagaan nuur village in less than an hour and that included stopping at the river to fill up two large drums with water.

Lunch was at the same guest house on the way out. We fine dined on potatoes, turnip, onion and mutton. It was so nice get something different to eat. 😉

The host is such a lovely man and he put on the TV to show us a documentary he had made with his Korean friend about the winter migration of the Mongolian nomadic people. All I can say is it was absolutely stunning although if you watch it, I would shut your eyes when they lasso the horse 🤮

Finally it was time to go, we had a 6/7 hr drive back to Ulaan uul village, Taiga region for our nights accommodation in the same guest house as before.

The return trip was the same one we had travelled getting to the reindeer camp but it didn’t make it any less spectacular. Gazing out of the window filled me with some sadness as I knew that this was the last time I would be in this amazing landscape.

It was almost 7 pm when we arrived at our accommodation. I was tired and ready for bed as I had been determined not to sleep during the journey.

I asked the host if she could make me something light like eggs and salad and that is what I got.

A quick wash and I was in bed for 8:30. Tomorrow we head to Murun where I’ll be staying in a hotel before my flight to Ulaanbaatar the next day.

I can’t believe it, tomorrow night I’ll have a warm shower or maybe even a bath full of bubbles and I can wash my hair – I’m sure I stink – well I know I do as I haven’t washed properly for 10 days 🤢!

Nite

😘