Decision made to cross the Uzbekistan - Kyrgyzstan border at Osh

Three of us (Clive, Jim and myself) discussed our options and the decision was made to cross the border from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan at Uchkurgan.  We were confident that was the safest option for us other than going through Kazakhstan which was going to endanger us not making our 20th June deadline for the Chinese border.

Having Clive with us added another dimension to our travels.  He brought youthful enthusiasm and energy.  He also brought a new attitude which was soon on display at the first police check point we came to.  Clive refused to meekly submit, as Jim and I do, to the laborious checking of paperwork and questions that can take minutes to hours.  He raised his voice and simply yelled "No - tourist" before riding through leaving the police and army personnel in his wake.

Jim and I have it in our DNA and a lifetime of conditioning that we are respectful and compliant to police and others.  Not so Clive.

When we got to the city of Namangan we were informed that the border crossing at Uchkugan was closed and the only border open was at Osh.  So that is where we headed.  The border crossing there subsequently proved to be problematic but we got through to Kyrgyzstan.

There was no obvious disquiet on the streets in Osh and we booked into a hotel for the night.  It was a relief to know that it was the last border crossing before entering China.

Clive - our new companion.  Nice gear which makes me look positively scruffy.