Border Crossing : On the Road from Peking to Paris

by Rosie Thomas

The first international motor rally from Peking to Paris took place in the summer of 1907. Only five cars were involved and the crews wrote their agreed code of conduct on the back of a menu the night before the start. Their only navigational aids were the sun and telegraph poles. Ninety years later the race was re-enacted when 110 vintage cars gathered in Peking. Their goal was the finishing line in Paris, 45 days and 16,000 kilometres away. In this book, one of the competitors - novelist Rosie Thomas - describes the excitement of the daily time challenge, the strange camaraderie, the test of sleeping outdoors or in flea-pit hotels in foreign lands and her own internal journey, including a near-death experience high in the Himalayas.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Janey King, née Morris was born on 1947 in Denbigh, Wales, and also grew up in North Wales. She read English at Oxford, and after a spell in journalism and publishing began writing fiction after the birth of her first child. Published since 1982 as Rosie Thomas, she has written fourteen best-selling novels, deal with the common themes of love and loss. She is one of only a few authors to have won twice the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association, in 1985 with Sunrise, and in 2007 with Iris and Ruby.

Janey is an adventurer and once she was established as a writer and her children were grown, she discovered a love of travelling and mountaineering. She has climbed in the Alps and the Himalayas, competed in the Peking to Paris car rally, spent time on a tiny Bulgarian research station in Antarctica and travelled the silk road through Asia. She currently lives in London.

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1997 writer Rosie Thomas took part in the second Beijing to Paris road rally, the first having taken place in 1907. Her co-driver, Phil Bowen, was twenty years her junior; they met when Bowen was the guide on a trek round Everest the previous year. It was Bowen who sent her the details of the rally, with a note attached saying ‘you know you want to’.
The book begins with finding a suitable car in which to tackle the race (a 1960’s Volvo Amazon), and takes the reader through the preparation, the paperwork, and finally the race. In every stage there are frustrations and serious challenges to overcome.
This book is so very different from my normal reading matter and on the face of it, it wouldn’t be something I’d expect to enjoy – I’m not into cars or motorsport, and I’ve only read one travel memoir before, but right from the outset I was completely engrossed. I loved reading about all the challenges they faced, from the frequently treacherous and dangerous driving conditions, and Rosie’s determination to carry on even after being advised by the tour doctor that she was risking her life in doing so, to the pair’s constant battle to keep the car running. I found the changing and often fraught relationship between Rosie and Phil fascinating – they were after all almost complete strangers when they began the adventure.
I can highly recommend this book, and I’ll definitely be looking out for other travel books.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner of one hell of a journey!

[Cecile Paddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different, knowing it was an actual account of her participation in such a journey. I learned a bit about car rallies, geography, history and lots of other things but the story didn’t have her usual flair for dramatic and dynamic and I miss that!

[Patricia]

Holding off for now.

[Cheryl Nygaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Love the writers view and spirit. I had never heard of this event. She really brought it to life with her vivid descriptions.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

quotes#589565 from my notebook

I felt a sudden throb of affection for all these people and their foibles, and their cars which had grown as familiar as the furniture of my own bedroom. We had come a long way together. Quetta and its aftermath had after all forged a new bond of companionship between us. p335

To step out of the fetid car, journey-stiff and with dirt in every crease, and to absorb the afternoon sunshine and breathe in the scent of mown grass and roses, was like arriving in paradise. The green lawn was smoother than velvet underfoot. Garlands of scented crimson rose petals were draped around our necks and waiters brought silver salvers laden with beaded glasses of ruby-red iced fruit punch. I was so happy I could have lain down in the purple shade under one of the trees and spread out my arms to embrace it all. And tomorrow was a rest day. No car, no noise, no dirt, no beep to echo inside my skull. p285

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books like this. I love the adventure, the highs and lows of the rally, and personal conflicts. Rosie Thomas perfectly describes landscapes, people, and does not shy away from sharing her fears, worries, and pain throughout the novel. My only complaint is that the last part of the book went finished too quickly and perhaps that's how the rally ended. I also wish there was an epilogue/follow up after the rally. I want to know if Rosie kept in contact with Phil Bowen or anyone from the rally.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure:
I am not normally a fan of non fiction and the last "journey" book I read was a total disaster but this one captivated me. I thought I would be bored witless by the car references (as did the author) but she approached it in a way that a middle aged woman would understand. I could almost see myself doing a trip like this... I lack the dosh.

[Petro Borchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book of Rosie that makes you feel that you have joined her on the trip. As much as I enjoyed it, the very last bit was a bit confusing to me - until I read up a bit more about her real life, then it makes sense.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had not thought a book about a car rally would be interesting but really enjoyed this book . It was well written and interesting to hear about the places that the rally passed though and the people taking part .

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very honest account of the author's participation in the Peking-Paris rally and the incredible experiences along the way. She did come across as a bit feeble at times, but it was interesting and a great read nevertheless. Very different from all her other books!

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, thought that the author pushed herself to achieve something that most of us can only dream about. What an adventure, took real strength and determination, nicely written in a way that was easy to understand and very enjoyable to read.

[Tim Corke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been a bit of a dime bar and have actually lost this book whlst reading it. Think I would have enjoyed the whole book.

[Kirsten Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy entertaining read about a great adventure

[Ch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in learning about the different countries and cultures visited during the race. However, I found the author wrote more about her mood and relationship with her teammate

[Debbie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this adventure.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really couldn't put this one down! Unforgettable adventure.