Monday 17th February 2025 Tacuarembó to Rivera/Santana do Livramento
Monday 17th February 2025

Well its Monday again, makes me chuckle as Mary always takes the micky of how I say Monday, cheek if you ask me she is from Dingle, can hardly understand a word the lovely girl says, its usually just dance or sing anyway, have a lovely time on your break Lyle & Mary, see you soon.

Bit of a double bonus today cold porridge and chocolate in the room, then came out ready to ride with another breakfast spread, never going to kick a gift horse in the mouth, had another sitting, once again lovely hospitality, the lovely ladies could not do enough for us finely tuned athletes. Actually a nice place, don’t think we spent enough time yesterday, looking around, probably beer related!

Well today is the last day in Uruguay, what a great place, lovely people, nice drivers, very little litter on the roads, made a good impression on both of us, fair play to the second smallest country in South America, I like small things for some reason, nothing to do with being a tadge on the small side myself, just an observation.

Best get on with this cycling thing, off to the Rivera today, not the Cornish, Italian or French (rule of thumb UK first, then whoever, French last) just one of the things I travel with. Still not getting onto this cycling malarky.
Just a 70 odd mile ride to the border city, think the immigration place is next to the local “Burger King”, we certainly will not be going there I hope. Nice little ride out the wonderful place Tacuarembó with its wide tree planted avenues, cycle freeways a pleasure to ride in, reminiscent of riding in Belgium, Netherlands or Germany, still no mention of France!

I great ride today, lovely countryside, abet put off by the pockets of eucalyptuses plantations, suppose everyone needs to make a living, rolling hills that break up the ride, I find it so much better, than just the straight flat roads, with John Fish aka Bingo saying there is no rain today we can all relax. Going at a good pace, steady away, another thing about those eucalyptuses plantations, there is very little wildlife around them, Bingo had to put up with squashed frogs and armadillos all day. Investigation required by my ever diligent editor, sure there is a connection, also if you find any spelling or incorrect grammar, its down to the said editor, this is just a beer infused story.

On we went, riding to the Rivera, what could be better, few miles from the town, we stopped come up with a little plan, stop for something to eat, the Uruguayan side of the border, as we had a bit of cash to spend, before we went over the border. There is no border as such, we just cycled through then ended up on the Brazilian side of the city, bit of confusion, lets go up here, like the steepest hill we could find, both clambered up it with people clapping out of their windows as we wobbled up the hill. Still not a clue where we was, this is fun, I know how to sort this out, stop in a bakery, with a supermarket next door, have a beer, check the maps! Not good we have to go back the way we came, really that hill again, afraid so,

Just a bit of light refreshment of we go to find the immigration place, as we need have a stamp saying we have entered Brazil, all good missed the hill and went into the plaza next to Mc things, stamps all done in a matter of minutes, guy asked what car I had, just pointed to my dear Surly (sorry Sandra), he just laughed.

Believe it or not we had a meal next door in the shopping thing, next door to all them fast food places, managed to find a little side pasta place, all good with the food then and beer!

Just a little 2 mile ride to a place Bingo had booked, not up the hill, while I was busy chatting to all the locals, selfies and pics of the bikes all a bit of fun.

One last thing great really enjoyed Uruguay, lovely people a credit to the nation.