Friday 14th February 2025 Fray Bentos to Paysandú
My apologies I got the date wrong for Charlie Broadhurst’s funeral – it’s today. Condolences to all of Charlie’s family, great Aylesham sportsman, he will be missed at the Home of SCWRFC Spinney Lane Stadium.

We left the ex-capital of corn beef and Fray Bentos pies, following the river up to a place called Paysandú.

Bit convoluted getting out of the city, but finally on the open roads with the warm sun breaking through, heading towards Neuvo Berlin, we did not go into the small town. Pushed on through -not too many cars, but loads of trucks heading towards Fray Bentos carrying eucalyptus logs, apparently a massive pulp mill there

Not sure what was on this road in the way of food stops, plus there seemed to be a 10 mile section of no tarmac according to Ride with GPS and Google maps. Just kept going, just after 10 said to Bingo going to need a stop soon, he reckons there is a junction about 2 miles up the road, may have petrol station / shop who knows, but worth the wait. Came up to the junction as normal a police cabin, they always give us a false sense, think you can get an ice cream, coffee no chance, but sure enough over the road a petrol station. coffees and ice creams all around, though I needed the assistance on the coffee machine far to complicated for a weary cyclist.

Two other guys came in, got chatting to them, one was an American the other a Brazilian selling industrial chiller units, we didn’t buy any. By all accounts both keen cyclists Greg the American done a bit down Ushuaia many moons ago. Both following us on Instagram now, good stuff .

Nice break good chat sets up for the next section fueled by ice cream, what could be better. Just took our time as it was getting very hot and clammy. Couple miles out another petrol station little stop, mainly to sort some digs out for the night, first try no luck they would only let us book the place for 2 nights. Next on Bingo gets a hotel, good stuff do a little jiggle on the maps and off we go into Paysandú, take the dodgy back way into, no issues as we rumble up to the hotel, book in and more importantly get a few beers. Then out shopping for tomorrows camping experience and a bite to eat, once again nothing opens till 8, just as us two old guys are ready for bed.