Day 17 The return to Delhi

We woke up early and got onto the bikes. A big day today as we have to ride to Delhi and it's a long way. Bikes packed and off we go and the traffic is remarkably light leaving the town. We make good progress down the mountain. We take a wrong turn and go through a very crowded town rather than go around it. It only delayed us slightly. 

We get near to Chandigrh and we see crossing the road the most enourmus lizard you have ever seen. It must have been a metre in length. It didn't like the road and plodded back into the verge. Once though Chandigrh we found the favourite Macdonalds for some air conditioning and cold drinks. Had a Spicy  McPaneer, very good.

The Grand Trunk Road (Highway 1) is busy and all sorts can be seen. A few examples today

Tractor pulling a motorbike

Motorbike pulling a cycle

On coming tractor, car, motorbike

Pedestrians

Bricks in the road

Dogs, cows

Horse drawn carriage

Broken down vehicles some being repaired others not

Maniac buses

Sucidal lorry drivers

horns horns and more horns

It's about 200 miles and the heat and humidity is very high. Well into the 40's and even with my jacket undone I was sweating buckets. We stopped every hour for fluids. 

Another problem was the key foe the flat and making sure Lalli was available to return the bikes but nobody was answering their phones. We decided to split. I would take Dean and Jim to Lallis and Simon would track down the keys. We separated in the NH1 about 35 km outside Delhi. Luckily we made contact with Lalli and he offered to help if needed. I managed to get us within his 2 miles of Lallis workshop before giving up and phoning him. His mechanic came and rescued us. Whilst trying to get through the traffic an auto (Tuk-Tuk) ran over my foot  - don't worry no damage to either although I did have a few choice words for the driver.

We returned the bikes and de-kitted the bikes sorted out the deposits and explained any issues. It took some time to arrange a taxi but eventually we got to the flat at Vassant Kunj arriving at 9pm.  It's still 36 degrees  here very hot and sweaty. 

Managed to order pizza online for tea. Collapsed into bed exhausted. I think I'm gonna need a holiday when I get home., Not work at 8am the next day....

Now I understand I have a new follower on my blog. His name is Max and he lives in the West Country. He is Deans son and has been following our trip through my blog every day even at school. So I would like to say 'Thank you' to him for following me. Here's a picture of me and Dean saying Thanks Max.