Hey there, Karen here, one quarter of the team that is Trailer Park Paddies.

Finally got word back from the Adventurist (that's the crowd that's handling the Rally) that my Visas are potentially been dealt with. It's a time of panic as I realise how much organisation it takes to participate in something like this.

Gone is my innocence, my time of thinking that all I needed for this great adventure are the clothes on my back and a can of insect repellent! Now I'm reaching the harsh reality that visas are needed, jabs so those insect bites don't kill and numerous other elements to get me all the way from the green green grass of Ireland to the somewhat dry land of Mongolia!

Currently seeking entry to Kazakhstan, Russia and Azerbaijan. Hoping not to have any problems crossing Europe being part of the EU and all. And word on the street is that Iran and Mongolia shouldn't offer up to much hassel in the getting visas department, little do the know that our financial contribution to tourism will probably amount to about €0.03 between the four of us.

I'm still thinking of this trip as a bit of a holiday, it may be time to  leave those thoughts behind and embrace the life altering, tan getting mission that this is...