Tuesday 11th February 2025 San Andres de Giles to Ciebas
Not one of the best meals last night in down town San Andres de Giles, ended up in the same fast food restaurant we had lunch in, once again we are the only patrons, but we got good service and I managed to get a veggie burger after a little bit of charm, it always works. Then back to the digs, for an early night again, we have no trouble sleeping like a log every night, few power cuts last night, the generator kicked in which was right outside the room, still no trouble sleeping, woke up in the morning Bingo said did you hear the storm, no mate heard the gennie start then straight back to sleep. Bingo’s list of jobs is getting longer, official weatherman now, as he predicts storms all day.

No chocolate in the porridge this morning, Bingo too busy checking the weather apps, but all ready to go just after 6, bit of a kerfuffle getting out of town and finding the route up to Sollis, only a small road, both of us not sure if it would be tarmacked, but it was only 12 miles, so should not be a problem, all good it was tarmacked and quiet, and no sign of the storms, Bingo could be the next “John Fish”, great riding then noticed little brown furry animals on the side of the road, thought they was rats at first, but even I could see they had no tails, turns out to be Cavia aperea (Argentinian Guinea Pig), good spot.

Soon passed the little town of Sollis, then join on to a bigger road route 193, still not too busy, just enjoying the ride, then think to myself, it should be getting a bit warmer now, the dark clouds are amassing, only one thing to do start singing “Riders on the Storm” that will get us through it, next thing we know pulled over rain jackets on and proper riding in a bloody storm now. Bingo just smiled and said I told you, as the rain was pelting down. Next up is a far bigger City Zarate, great big roundabouts and intersections all over the place, could not see a thing, but had a bright yellow jacket on, so just hoped all the drivers could see me, as we navigated around the periphery of the city, pretty hair raising to say the least, but the drivers all seemed very courteous giving us plenty of space, just as we left the city or so we thought stopped for a coffee to sort out the nerves.

Got going again not nice when its still pouring down with rain but hey ho John (B**) Fish reckons it will stop at 2, great news. Then we have a massive bridge to cross over the Paraná River [this is the Zárate–Brazo Largo Bridge, in fact two bridges over the Parana de las Palmas and Parana Guazú rivers – it’s also a railway bridge: Ed], no hard shoulder and the armco barrier looks like its been hit a few times, just pedal and get on with it, though it was pretty leary, well frightening. Eventually get over the bridge and on to the hard shoulder, least we can relax then and enjoy the ride, just after the bridge we stop at a road side shack for a drink and a bit of respite from the rain. Huddled under a awning watching the world go by, I notice this animal skipping across the unmade road, turn to Bingo, whats that, mate faster than the snake yesterday he is onto it following its every foot steps, notice a few other people taking photographs, then the owner comes out of the shack and casually picks it up, it was a semi tame Nutria / Coypu, quite cool though.

Checked the time still only 12, so had another two hours of rain, of we went, good thing the storm was blowing us forward now, so we go onwards and upwards, not sure how long I can keep the riders on the storm thing going but giving it a good go. The scenery has changed now, very green with lots of small rivers and lakes around, all rather pleasant, as the speed through the countryside, quite a lot of road side shacks selling food, stop for lunch, Bingo spots a guy cooking home made sausages and chops on a BBQ, nice lunch stop he has the BBQ, I have salad and chips, all good. Fueled with a beer or two and the rain stopping we soon done the remaining 14 or so miles, all in all not to bad a day in the saddle, considering the weather, pulled up outside the Hotel Ceibas, the lovely host was there to meet and greet us, spoke impeccable English and a fridge full of cold beer, what could possible go wrong, sorted out the room and an evening meal, as Bingo has a few weather reports to produce.

Then sort out a few days riding into Uruguay.