Duff communications

Ever since the Iran border we have had very poor comms. Our phones don't get any signal  so no mobile net access. I don't know whether that will improve in other places.
Internet access is very very slow - the first place I tried was so slow I gave up on trying to post anything. This place is a little better.
The train journey was long, but a lot of fun. The changing scenery always gave something to see - we spent most of our time in the dining car - because it was lighter and afforded views out both ways. On two occasions large numbers of Iranians arrived and there was a lot of singing and dancing - which was great fun.
There's lots more to write about that but not much time now- so perhaps I'll get back to it later.
The train lost a lot of time - a single track line for much of the way so I guess hold ups happen easily. By the time we reached Lake Van we were 4 hours late so the boat trip was in the dark - which was a shame.
The border crossing was strange - it was in the middle of the night - a trainload of bleary people disgorged onto a platform in the middle of nowhere to have our exit from Turkey stamped - orderly British queuing totally overwhelmed by a Middle Eastern free for all.
Then back on the train for half an hour - just time to get back to sleep - before we stopped at the Iran immigration point. A long wait with no information - still middle of the night - and then the train moved off again. So back to sleep. And then the immigration people, who had boarded the train, came round collecting passports. Several hours later we got them back stamped.

A further 2 hours delay on that leg meant that we were half a day late arriving in Tabriz.

Much also to write about that - but the time I've agreed with Steve is almost up. Next time.............

As an aside - we're both feeling a little like schoolboys let loose - doing things and going places that we probably wouldn't with Ffion and Pam. Let's call it a diminished sense of responsibilty. Also we are constantly being stopped and spoken to by people who want to practise their English - people generally seem very friendly and approachable and helpful.
Overall, so far so good - apart from the lack of beer obviously.