After spend�ng 6 days �n Jordan - 5 days �n Syr�a - we are now �n Turkey.
We v�s�ted MAJOR archeolog�cal s�tes �n Jordan and Syr�a - w�th only MINOR
van problems (s�nk trap leak - Odometer stopped - cracked w�ndscreen - horn
stopped).  All but the w�ndscreen I was able to f�x or replace.

In Turkey I started hear�ng a new eng�ne no�se that I d�dn't l�ke and then
coolant began dr�pp�ng from under the eng�ne.  I found that the water pump
pully was wobbly, therefore leak�ng.  I'll hold the full story t�ll later -
but after deal�ng w�th GREAT guys �n a Renault dealer-sh�p and a bus tr�p to
Ankara (for a new pump) we are back on the road aga�n �n Cappadoc�a �n
Turkey (Yes I know about bleed�ng the a�r out of the coolant system).   In
total the cost was 180,000,000 Turk�sh L�ra (�nclus�ve of bus tr�ps, parts,
and  some new VW coolant) and 2 days of our tr�p.

We w�ll cont�nue through Turkey's south-west coast.  We have traded the HOT
dry desert a�r of Egypt, Jordan, Syr�a for cooler but more mo�st Turk�sh
a�r:  Islam�c states for a secular (Islam�c) states and sandy tan desert
colour for GREEN h�lls and b�rds and bugs.

We are 16 days �nto the tr�p and lov�ng �t.  W�sh you were here (espec�ally
�f you had a coolant pump) Malcolm & Pat
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