Well think we ve sorted out what to do with the bikes. Shipping them from Santiago in Chile, its cheaper than Buenos Aries (approx 1600 pounds for both bikes) and it means we get to ride up the Chile coast which should be really nice, rather than miles across a straight flat road through desert to Buenos Aries, which is further as well. We could sell them but it is illegal (in most of South America), theres ways around it but its risky and we dont think worth it. Hopefully should be able to clear customs (least do some of it) ourselves in UK to so that will save a bit of money. All this means we have to get a 24 hour bus from Santiago to Buenos Aries for our flights but it still works out cheaper - it will be an adventure in its self, the way they drive!

Anyway heading back North now, got as far as a national park (Alceres, we think) near Esquel, the windest road I ve ever ridden on, its the only time I ve felt like you could get blown off the bike!! Met two cyclists at the campsite there, one had ridden around the world. The other started in Europe, he had just come up from Patagnia and said the weather was terrible and some days the police shut roads to all traffic as it was so windy, he had hitch hiked or walked it was so bad. Wish we had time to get further into Patagonia as we ve only touched the north end of it, but not sure I`d enjoy the weather on a bike.

The national park was Beautiful, four huge lakes and free camping, we had bracing washes in the lake (icy cold, snow melt) although we did have to pay to get into the park and of course it was double for us `gringos´! It was fairly quiet which was nice as its so touristy here and its the locals holiday time, but also the nicest time of year to come. The weather is so hot (its melting the ´hold alls` luggage) weird as theres still snow on the mountains and we saw our first glacier. The park is named after the ancient cedar trees, some are 3000 years old and 57 meters tall, would have loved to have seen them but you have to take a boat ride and it was really expensive. So we took a walk to some 300 year old ones, well one tree actually and it was a sorry looking specimen, we wouldn t have known if it wasn t for the sign saying what it was! so bit disapointed! There was a park in Chile that had a rare stance of 650 year old mytrte trees in it, right in the middle, but you had to hike to them and we re not kitted out for that.

Covered about 9000 miles so far and reached just under 5000 metres high (colca canyon). Going to enjoy these last few days along the coast. Oh and thanks for the really nasty cold I ve now got - Dan and Marien!!

Now for a bit of exciting news, Tim asked me to marry him, and I said yes!! Crikey !! He reckons if we take a few more nude photos and do a calender we may be able to afford it !!