Kashgar 5-a-side take on ‘Desert of No Return’
We’re on a Road to Nowhere
The rolling ball gathers momentum as our travelling team swells for the toughest leg so far (see about us for the original home and away line up).
Location
The Taklamakan desert, (through Hotan, Niya, Korla and on to Turpan), apparently its name translates as: ‘you enter but no come out’
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Kashgar to NiyeThe team sets off along the southern silk route Duration: 2min 00sec |
Duration
4 days, with Argie ‘Bargie’ at the wheel of our Toyota Tour Bus driving the 2000km distance.
The Team
Up front
Chris + myself
Midfield
Gersh, sports journalist and two time left foot scorer from Kashgar game, see his report in ‘earlier’ Rock the Kashgar entry + Abdulwali, our ‘ere Uyghur’ maestro (keep them footy puns coming. ed.) + acting manager.
At the back
Tim the Boy Noble / Kendal Lad Tim / Fat Boy Tim, yes, he’s like three in one. Youthful zest, mountain strength and old school cassettes make up this man. We will be larging it in honour of his Birthday this coming Saturday.
In reserve
Maayan, our Israeli right foot general, who we pick up in Hotan. He’s been in training there.
Some of the provisions we have packed for the journey…
Leisure comfortable food
Football-branded cola
Well the excitement builds, I can hear the bus revving, Korea still calling, and the idea of picking up an entire 11 strong team before the World Cup a reality. Anyone in the China area fancy a game?
Ole Ole Ole Ole…
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Drinks and CardsSpending so many hours in a van requires team-building exercises Duration: 0min 26sec |
Posted by Phil
pork scratcher says:
May 9th, 2002 at 2:11 pm
You boys are clearly suffering from a lack of mince.
Chris says:
May 10th, 2002 at 5:00 am
…and a surfeit of kebabs
eliza wake says:
May 12th, 2002 at 8:52 am
Hello Uncle Philly - whilst you were choosing the teams I was in North Uist (hot n sunny)collecting cowries on the beach at Berneray. Daddy was very distracted on Saturday afternoon…… until Ray Parlour put the game beyond the reach of the foreign tongued Blues from West London…..
For your personal info, u might be interested to learn that I led an expedition (Mummy, Daddy, Mary & George included) to the top of Beinn Mhor. Good Corncrake action in the garden……..crex crex! P.S. Have you collected any seeds for Daddy yet - especially Peonies/roses??
Phil says:
May 13th, 2002 at 10:49 am
Hey Eliza — So good to hear about North Uist… I bet the corncrakes kept you awake at night?
The desert here is totally amazing. We are checking out a place tomorrow, near Turpan, that is 154 meters below sea level! It’s the hottest place in China.
Roses and peonies I will look for, but what does a peonie look like… anyone know?
I bet your dad wrote that bit about Ray Parlour. Better luck next time to the excellent Chelsea, don’t you think?
Report from the gruelling Taklamakan coming up soon.
Love ‘n’ all….
confucious says:
May 13th, 2002 at 1:19 pm
don’t fear the mince, for he is your friend
(Chinese proverb)
Confused-r-us says:
May 13th, 2002 at 6:20 pm
Fear the mince, for she speaks with diced tongue
(Chinese proverb)
Butcher says:
May 14th, 2002 at 10:57 am
Diced tongue ? Surely you mean pressed ox tongue….. available from all good retailers of dead flesh.
Chris says:
May 14th, 2002 at 11:17 am
Phil’s already way ahead of you folk - his meal of “Chicken Internal Organs” last night looked, um, like food. To him.
mamataly says:
December 13th, 2002 at 10:08 am
i am student
Chris says:
December 13th, 2002 at 10:39 am
We’re all very happy for you…