Wednesday 19th February 2025 Rosário do Sul to Santa Maria
Another 50 lengths in the pool last night, this is turning into a triathlon, Rylan be aware we may join you in Barcelona in September, two fit ageing athletes, be good to see you in La Paz mate.

The grumpy old porter was not on shift this morning, his twin was, we could not crack a smile out of him (Elvis Costello song) as we loaded up the bikes, miserable old git, probably just jealous of us two old gits, but not miserable yet!

As we set off, the road was not brilliant, but with my ever cheerful self thinking it will get better, afraid to say it got worse, turned into the miserable old git for a while, as we fought the traffic and the atrocious road conditions, early morning Tourettes Syndrome coming on, feel so sorry for the people who suffer from this respect with a capital R.

To put it plainly it was tough going all day working our little legs in and out of the dusty pot holes, nearly said blue bells then, would have made it nice. Just working the miles out, stopped for an apple, bit of chocolate and warm water, nice little picnic looking over a pond with an egret prancing about (thats what they do when your tired) and the cows wallowing in the pond, as we enjoyed our apple.

Two minutes later first puncture for me, not really surprising with the terrain we have been going, quick little change and we our off again. Good thing we turn right, so we miss most of the traffic, bad thing the road surface does not improve, hey ho just pedal stop moaning. Least we can spend a bit of time on the road now, just be a bit weary the good truck drivers give yo a little beep warning they are coming up to you, the ones with a personality disorder, or a view to kill (James Bond Film) just thunder pass you, scaring the living daylights (on a roll now) out of you. We passed a little fruit selling place both needed a cold drink, bit of a problem, another school boy error no Brazilian real currency, done a deal with Euros, he will be so pleases 20 Euros for two drinks, so what he was a nice man.

Then here we go again another puncture, they tend to come like that usually a bit of tyre wire working its way through the tyre, changed again on off we go into the mid day sun, where only Mad dogs and Bingo & Gringo go, or English men go.

Did a really good two hour stint, pushing hard and fast as these little legs could go, went past a few stores, Bingo just saying they will not take cards, I was gagging for a beer, but no such luck, when he is on a mission he’s on one, I just tagged on.

As we hit the outskirts of Santa Maria, we was flowing past all theses bars and cafes, had a little chat, we are not booked in need to get to the hotel, then we can have a beer OK with a grisly face.

On we go for what seemed like eternity, finally arrived at the Motel! not what we was expecting, if I was a detective I would say a Brothel, so with a little bit of a discussion we spot anther Motel over the road, guess what another brothel, but worse we book a room, not sure what they was expecting, but Bingo and I face as we walked into the mirror clad room was a picture. Me straight to fridge two ice cold beers, result, f*** this lets get out of here, easier said than done. The not so lovely lady tried to charge us for the 15 mins we was in the room, bit of discussion, soon resolved with a sad face from me and a stern word from Bingo, luckily I put the empties back in the fridge, good old Aylesham lad.

So back on the bike let find another place, all sorted in the right area of town, book in quite easily, few beers to settle the nerves, then sort out getting some Brazilian aleand eating

Another 3 mile walk, so it is a triathlon, all sorted with the money stuff, can relax now with a lovely meal.