The news from day fifteen...

Latvia, and more specifically, the town of Jurmala was chosen as our finishing destination because of our connection to Maris and Oskars who competed with us in the 2003 Plymouth Dakar Rally. Maris just happens to be the Deputy Mayor of Jurmala which over there means he gets to do pretty much whatever he likes...such as ordering the Police to cordon off the main street while we do a photoshoot...

Or ordering the band to have the entire Extreme Trifle crew up on stage as guests of honour...

Or getting half naked girls to pose with him...

When we were promised a "civic reception" we expected ribbon cutting and a few prawn volauvents...imagine then when we find the whole town has come out to party with 2 live music stages in the main street. Meanwhile Oskars has 120 litres of local beer for us "to be getting on with"...are we dreaming?!!

• ...and just when you thought it couldn't get any better...

• At the last count there were 41"Miss Custard Latvia" entries...

Err...make that 47. As the party kicks in to full swing Oskars brings some bad news...the 120 litres of beer is all gone...but he has some good news...he has another 120 litres!!!

• which is all the excuse Karen and Jaki needed to sing in the street...

• Or alternatively you can try the local Horseradish vodka!!

• ...and then make a face like this!!!

• and if you needed any convincing as to whether this stuff is strong here's the proof...as Matt tests a WWI Russian helmet against Thunderbird 4's afterburners...

• before slipping in to a coma...

• soon to be followed by Jenny...

• and then Oz...

• and then Greg...

• meanwhile the locals carry on regardless!

• well...it all had to end at some point...

We owe a HUGE thankyou to Maris and Oskars for putting on such a great party and for being such fantastic hosts! You made a brilliant end to a brilliant trip...until the next time...

Next time you're in Jurmala check out the motor museum...you might just recognise a few of the exhibits...

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