Having arrived safely in Baku and had a much needed shower, we have just learnt that last week foulerton.com was The Times online website of the week. Very exciting, although as the website's content was only rated 5/10, we had better try rather harder.

Having spent two days in Tbilisi, as the first occupants in a brand new hotel, where we enjoyed creature comforts in Georgia's rapidly changing capital, we rode north up Georgian Military Highway. Much to Rebecca's relief, the road proved good and the scenery amazing as we climbed up, past Georgia's ski resorts and on to Kazbegi, which lies deep in the Great Caucasus mountains, close to the Russian border.

We spent two nights in a homestay in Kazbegi, with a charming family who plied us with great quantities of Georgian home cooking. Leaving the bike watched by two trusting cows, we spent the days walking in the surrounding mountains.

Riding back down the valley, we stopped at Mtskheta, which contains some of the oldest churches in the country and has been its spiritual heart since Georgia's early conversation to Christianity in 337.

Continuing east in to the Kakheti region, the wine growing area of Georgia (complete with banners hung across the roads spawning 'Drink Wine', 'Praise Wine', 'Drive Wine') we spent the next few days exploring the churches and vineyards of an incredibly beautiful area.

Crossing the border into Azerbaijan proved as tedious as usual but after repeatedly assuring the border guards we had bought nothing in Armenia, 'no, not even a map', we drove across the countries vast landscapes to Baku. Although, having run the gauntlet with Azeri Sunday night traffic, the fact we're here at all is a miracle. Who would have thought a Lada could out pace a Mercedes ?