Friday 7^th November

Woke at 5.30 and up at 6.00. Coffee and tea (for A) then into town to check on banks before leaving for Tehran. (They were closed as a Friday). A fast uneventful drive in perfect weather brought us to Tehran by 1.00. Checked with American Express – yes they would cash $100 cheques into $s but for 5% commission – no dice!!

We need the dollars cash to obtain excellent rates of exchange for Pakistan and India money in Afghanistan. The tourist info was shut (Friday again) so onto Dupert Bank. Success – changed into dollars for 2.5% commission – and as we can make 80% on our money, we didn’t complain but cashed $100. left Tehran by 2 on the road to Mashed (northern route).

The idea is to get as far as possible tonight and stay in a hotel. Stopped at 4.00 and had dinner by road – good meal and just the rest the driver needed. Drove on another 40 miles and stopped the night at Amol. Hotel cost $2 and parking car in garage was free so not too bad. Sleeping by 9.00 ready for the next two bad days driving.