It's been over six months, somewhere around 19,000 miles with more highs than lows.

We set out with a target of Patagonia, and even though technically we have been in the region since the Chilean "Lake District" just north of Puerto Montt, we didn't feel we had truly arrived until we got to Torres Del Paine National Park.

We managed to get the two Pegasos here as well.

We spent two nights in the park camping and walking. What we did not do was one of the prescribed routes that most people who visit take, they are known as the "W" and the "Circuit" taking 4 and 8 days respectively, while carrying tents and food. We really are getting soft in our older age.

The road in and out of the park is "ripio", hard packed gravel that is a step up from sand and soil.

This is good "ripio"

Unfortunately a single road can be like the above, or often they may be repairing sections of it, which means they pile a lot of soil up on the surface. And when you add rain it becomes what Jean now refers to as "Sh*tio".

As we slipped and slithered across it we were both glad that we now had "off road" tyres on the rear. On a few occasions I had to resist the urge to congratulate Jean on " a good recovery" so as not to tempt fate again.

A broken Peg

The ripio has taken its toll, it may look smooth but it is corrugated with many bumps and pot holes. As we returned to Puerto Natales Jean mentioned that it felt different on the speed bumps, so I looked at her bike and noticed the rear shock was not at the right angle.

We may now have a small delay to the trip while we get the required part delivered to a man who can fix this for us. Fortunately for Jean we are near lots of penguin colonies, so this is not a hardship (for her!).