The first off-road trek was unfortunately the last for the 101 and trailer. The thick clay-mud of the forest didn't let the 5 ton combination make much progress on the inclines. Instead, I became Yami's passenger in his Defender 90 - able to ogle at the tremendous mountain scenery that is NW Thailand.

After a fantastic week, most of the local guys returned to Bangkok. Unfortunately, they must have also taken the high-ratio part of my gearbox with them, leaving me to limp at 20kph to the laidback, chill-out zone of Mae Hong Son. International Rescue (Steve Parker style) correctly identified the problem in the transfer box, and is sending the bits out as I type.

I'll be here for another week. At least I won't have an excuse for not getting my tax return in on time this year.

As the sign says, "USE LOW GEAR".

As there wasn't a sign at the bottom saying "Now Graham, go back into HIGH GEAR", I stayed in LOW for the 60 km to the next town.

I jest. The 101 wouldn't stay in high-box, so crawled to the next town, Mae Hong Son, in low-box. I'm now holed up in a superb campsite, surrounded by palm and banana trees, mountains and ... ants by the million.

After discussions involving the UN, a ceasefire has been reached between the bike and the passing low-level vegetation.

ie: the bike now travels on the back of the trailer.