The Ball 2002

In colour, in motion, and as the dogs say in Moscow, “harasho”.

Culture and vodka-based political lobbying at a traditional Uzbek celebration.

Rich, Chris and Phil reach Bukhara and play a game in the shadow of the ancient minaret.

Chris sets out to find his grandfather’s grave in Kanimech, a remote village between Samarkhand and Bukhara.

We make a roadside stopoff as we leave the city for traditional Samarkhand-style bread.

We meet Rich in Samarkhand, who wastes no time in organising a game in the historic Registan.

Phil sings and plays harmonica in The Blues Cafe in Samarkhand.

In which we leave Tashkent and anticipate meeting Rich.

Things take an unexpected turn at the Kyrgyz embassy.

Despite the hassles encountered here, we have fond memories of Moscow.