Saturday 19th November

Mileage - 105kms

It was someones birthday today, by name of Bev, so Nik and I had managed to find some cards in town for the ocassion and I nipped to a florist and got some flowers as we'll be here a few days yet. Nice surprise for the birthday girl. The florist was a nice guy and we discussed camera's and film's. The recent hit film (Argentinian) The Dog, which had garnered much critical praise in the UK was filmed by a cameraman from just across the street ! Would like to see it but no cinema here, in fact our host ran the only cinema in Belgrano for 36 years and claims that's how he learnt his English.Saturday 19th November

Villa General Belgrano and back via Los Reartes, nr Cumbrecita, va. Berna

Mileage - 105kms

It was someones birthday today, by name of Bev, so Nik and I had managed to find some cards in town for the ocassion and I nipped to a florist and got some flowers as we'll be here a few days yet. Nice surprise for the birthday girl. The florist was a nice guy and we discussed camera's and film's. The recent hit film (Argentinian) The Dog, which had garnered much critical praise in the UK was filmed by a cameraman from just across the street ! Would like to see it but no cinema here, in fact our host ran the only cinema in Belgrano for 36 years and claims that's how he learnt his English.

Birthday girl

Our host let us hose the bikes down in his garden, so they are de-gritted at least. It was a sad loss to lose the orange jungle dust as it looked well cool !

Decided to go out on the bikes for a picnic and took advice of the book. Sadlyit let us dwn as it was a very poor ride around some nice but not inspiring enough scenery. The curse of Paraguay hit as the roads were half built, crap, or none existant diversions, and all the route was dirt of very mixed quality.

The road to Va Alpino promised much, delivered nought and was as rough as I would like to ride two up, even with most of gear now in room, but do carry tools and water !

The picnic itself was lovely with food from the take-away, tort, and salad etc and whilst lounging we found some spectacular flowering barrel cacti which seemed a little out of place.

To make up for the poor ride out we will drink some of the specialist beers brewed here, floral, barley wine, porter and a Mendoza pink champagne (got an expensive one, £5). Will report back on beers as we missed the traditional camping w/e at Blakey with being here, so no gallon of Old Perculier. Wonder if it was cold ? It ain't here folks !In fact 30 and promise of another thunder storm.