I finally made it across the border, after some hassle again. The Estonian guards are very efficient and thorough. I made sure I have them the current vehicle registration, which the guy disappeared with for half an hour.

He came back with my documents and told me the registration was invalid. He showed me a current UK vehicle registration and told me he’d checked with DVLA in Swansea, they had no record of my vehicle. He held up my registration document for all to see, then said loudly:

“Where did you get this document? Did you think it would fool us?”

I told him it was issued by the Australian government, where the bike is registered. I did my best not to laugh, but I’m not very good at that sort of thing. He tells me he is going to check with them and disappears again. Good luck mate!

At this point I knew I was in for a long wait. VIC roads are a bunch of can’ts. (Or something very similar). My hamster is more helpful, and poor Hammie has been dead for 35 years! There’s no way given the time difference he will get anything meaningful out of them by telephone. (But their website is improving).

Another half an hour and he’s back to tell me I can go. Mixed feelings, as this will be my last entry into Russia on this visa. 5 minutes later a huge pothole from nowhere nearly throws me off the bike. It’s good to be back!!